Getty has tightened rules around photoshopped images

Getty Images has announced that, as of this month, certain retouched images will be banned from creative stills submissions. The new rule applies to any photos of models that have clearly been altered to make them look thinner or larger.

The decision by Getty follows closely behind a new law in France that requires all photoshopped images of models to be labelled as such, meaning that if an image looks somewhat odd or artificial, the reader will know why. The move is a positive one following a global outcry about the unrealistic standards for beauty portrayed online and in magazines. 

But while silhouettes can no longer be tampered with, Getty notes that digitally removing a blemish, changing hair colour or nose shape, are outside the scope of the new rule and therefore still acceptable. Retouched images that have previously been submitted will also remain on site for the time being.  

The Getty Team has seen a recent uplift in searches for authentic representations of women. The search term "unfiltered" has gone up 219 per cent over the past year, “authenticity” has increased 104 per cent and “real life” up 99 per cent.