Getty Images to no longer accept photoshopped images

Getty Images has taken a drastic step in their campaign to promote body positivity and accuracy within their images, banning photos which feature models whose appearance has been altered with image manipulation programs such as Photoshop.

Following a new law in France that requires commercial enterprises to state if a model’s shape has been retouched, Getty has changed its Creative Stills Submission Requirements to craft an “authentic visual representation globally”.

According to the company, accurate and healthy advertising images have a massive influence on combating stereotypes, reinforcing tolerance and empowering communities.

With an upswing in positive, realistic depictions of beauty, Getty believes that its amendments will reflect a global evolving representation of women.

In a statement to The Observer, Rosalie Nelson, who has campaigned against the use of dangerously underweight models in the past, has praised the move.

“In most publications and advertisements, the models’ bodies have been distorted to make them appear healthier or a ‘more desirable shape’ – which can often mean a very thin model has had his or her body Photoshopped to look larger than it actually is,” Nelson said. “These same models are often asked to lose excessive amounts of weight and to diet obsessively.”

“I’m optimistic that the whole industry will be more focused on health and body positivity in the next decade, rather than going for the ‘heroin chic’ look.”