My CRS

As part of my Media Studies A-level course I must carry out a Critical Research Study. I have decided to research retouching in the Media, more specifically-

"How can ARTifical digital manipulation in Advertising reinforce the notion of unattainable beauty?".

Thus I's aiming to fing out...

- Why is retouching used within the industy?

- How much retouching is used?

- Are people aware that retouching is used within the industry?

- Are people aware of how much can be acheived through retouching? As often the finished product looks nothing like the inital image!

-Who does this affect if anyone?

-Is there a line to how much retouching can be done?

-Should it be enforced that an image that has been retouched must clearly state that retouching has occured in order to raise awareness?

(Most of the above questions will include some primary research such as; Focus groups, Questionnaires, and Interviews with professionals who work within the industry)

-Further research into the idea of unatainabe beauty being sold to an unsuspecting audience.

-Research theory into retouching and adverts including how we associate identity with the Media such as The Effects Theory, Uses and Gratifications and some Feminist Theory.

I began researching this topic in July but it has taken me a while to decide on this specific question and area of the Media to investigate. I am also only now setting up a blog as I am struggling to review effectively all the information I have collected since July and would recomend anyone else doing a similar project uses a blog to store their information and thoughts on their project. As it is much clearer and more interesting than rifling through hundres of word docs or paper print outs!