Take a scroll through the many filtered corridors of Instagram and it's easy to forget what reality actually looks like.
Perhaps now more than at any other point in our collective history, we're confronted with images of retouched, carefully constructed 'perfection' that bare little resemblance to normality.
On the covers of glossy magazines, on huge billboards in city centers, even while waiting for the train, we are sold visions of chiseled abs, blindingly white teeth and never-ending sunshine. And now, even our phones provide no respite to the never ending onslaught of unattainable physical beauty.
Watch Ashley Graham modelling her stunning swimwear:Thankfully, there are people out there who are looking to redress the balance between the filtered part-reality with which we're often forced to contend, and the actuality of what human bodies really look like.
The body positivity movement reminds and encourages us to embrace the skin we're in, rather than chase a physical standard that is beyond most who do not have all the time in the world and a full team of personal trainers behind them.
Then there are initiatives like the Grombre movement, which encourages people to embrace their natural grey hair.
Journalist and influencer Danae Mercer often uses her platform on Instagram to highlight the methods that Instagram models and influencers use to achieve their pictures. She recently went viral with a post that focused on how lighting is used in these pictures.
She wrote;
"Insta vs reality — or LETS talk LIGHTING. Because that’s the main difference in these photos.
In one, my bum is deliberately angled into the shadows. The softer light hides my cellulite and smooths most of my stretchmarks. It’s flattering."In the other, I’m just casually squatting (lol) beside the mirror. My hips and thighs are in the sunlight. Lumps and bumps are on show.
"There are a few posing differences (core tight, hips popped back, squeeeezzzinnnggg), but mostly this pic is about LIGHT working its magic.
"When I worked in magazines, we shot at sunrise or sunset. On most sets, there were people holding SUN DIFFUSERS and REFLECTORS to help create the perfect FLATTERING balance of shadow and light.
"The same thing happens on SOCIAL MEDIA, just in a different form.
Most insta-models know EXACTLY how to POSE and work their angles.
And they know LIGHTING too.
Like how SIDE LIGHT, diffused from a window, is the most flattering for abs but usually pretty harsh on the face.
It’s why you’ll often see a phone covering the face.
Or how SHADOWS can gently eliminate certain LUMPS and BUMPS."All that is fine with me, honestly.
It’s art and photography, and there is no shame in wanting to look FIERCE."But I also want to remind you about how SO MUCH on here is FILTERED.
POSED.
PERFECTED."And how you shouldn’t EVER COMPARE YOURSELF to a STRANGER on the internet.
Because cowgirl, you’re just seeing their snapshots taken in PERFECT LIGHT.
Your reality is a whole lot more varied, diverse, and human than that.
It’s more perfectly imperfect. Real. Raw.
And that’s a wonderful thing indeed."You got this."
And her followers were delighted with her body positive message. "This is so profound and just what I needed to hear.. Thank you so much for sharing," wrote one, while another added, "Such an empowering post!! You rock,"
Per Fox News, Mercer often uses her Instagram page to talk about subjects like dieting, photo editing and self-confidence.