The photo on the left is of PNB dancer Chelsea Adomaitis warming up before a show. Taken by Lindsay Thomas.
The photo on the right is the grotesque result of photoshop. I have seen this image a few times on facebook, but I only realized how distorted it was when someone pointed out that it was photoshopped. Her foot has been made to look more winged, her body thinner. Her strong shoulders are disproportionate to her now deformed waist.
The original photo is of a strong, talented, slim, healthy dancer. The altered image is a reflection of the constant pressure towards unattainable ”perfection”. This is the first time I have seen proof of a popular photoshopped ballet photo, but I do not doubt that many photos have been “doctored” in the same way. This is not OK.
