MARIA'S NOTES

(Source: dailymail)

Online filters have stood the test of time and have evolved over the past decade across almost every industry. I’m sure you remember the dog filter of 2010 and the freakishly odd broccoli filter on Snapchat. These were certainly good for a laugh, but thankfully, filters have become extremely diversified and used by a variety of people and genders. Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok are the typical platforms we use for the “glam” filters we see over other content creators’ photos or videos. They’re so common that if you aren’t using some sort of filter or overlay on your content, you may even seem, well, out of the loop. (But if you haven’t tried one yet, I’m truly jealous of you, and I’m sure the rest of the world is.) 

This begs the decade old question of, are filters editing? And if so, is it unethical to claim a filtered photo is your true authentic self?

Now look, I personally see no harm in a filter. I understand not every day will be our best day, and not everyday will be our most photogenic day. But, photos still gotta get taken and content needs to be pushed. I think we need to be gentle with ourselves and our treatment towards our self esteem. And if slapping on a harmless filter can uplift us enough to post that outfit we really love, and get us through those awkward brunch group photos, I’m all for it.

Criticism and backlash for filters really started when celebrities and public figures used them a little too often, to the point that it completely seemed to distort their physical appearance beyond recognition. This is absolutely devastating for younger, more impressionable audiences to see. This creates room for unrealistic beauty standards to develop, and slowly but surely, we begin to start chasing dreams instead of reality.

A famous instance I can recall occurred way back in 2021 covered in an article by the Daily Mail. Social media mogul and public figure Khloe Kardashian had been posting an unusual amount of photos and videos of herself on her story of herself which spanned across days. (Now, if you were on Instagram at this time, you’ll know where I’m going with this.) It’s not unusual for people to post themselves excessively on their social media at all, but what felt more unusual about this however; was the fact it was the same content and same concept. It was Kardashians chiseled body and glammed makeup, which began to feel repetitive and unpleasant for users. 

Shortly after however, a photo was released of Kardashian, which quite literally startled the nation—this photo was drastically different from the woman photoed on her story but it was indeed Khloe, but this time, with no filter and no editing. Kardashians team fought tremendously to have this photo wiped from the history of the internet, and the team went as far as to “redeem” her public image, when really, nothing was lost. The most infuriating thing about all of this is, there was nothing at all unappealing about this photo. It was simply a photo of Kardashian enjoying the outdoors; but somehow, this wasn’t enough for her.

This poolside photo of Kardashian was posted unintentionally by her assistant and was removed from social media circulation almost immediately (photo source: reddit)

Although I sit on the right hand side of this debate, I do have a slight grievance towards the usage of filters. Filters offer us a more acceptable and pleasant perspective of what we’re trying to create. However, that does build some sort of codependency; which left unchecked, can spiral into feeling a constant unyielding necessity to always use a filter when one isn’t needed. 

I’m sure you’ve come across an overfiltered photo on social media. And I know you were able to realize it was overfiltered because it just seemed unrealistic. It nagged at you in such a way that you scorned it, and decided it is too far from reality for you to admire it. This is my exact issue. If used excessively and unnecessarily; a filter can diminish our self esteem and form an undesirable reliance on using them. This can seriously hurt how you perceive yourself and the digital world you interact with beyond repair. So, tread with caution, and be mindful of the content you desire to create, and do it in a way that feels wholesome and ethical for you!