#week 9

why does he look so awkward 😭

WEEK 9 DRAWING COMP

@summer-of-bad-batch

Week 9: main prompt: "Stay with me"

A little nod to Techphee fans (I'm very neutral about that ship myself, but seeing all the hype for the sanctuary novel made me want to create something Techphee)

So

At first, I thought it was simply good makeup, good photography skills or people being aware of their best angles. Sometimes I genuinely have no idea whether a photo has been edited, filtered or completely unedited. Everything just looks so polished nowadays ✨.

Most people think filters are just harmless little tools that make photos look nicer. Maybe they brighten the lighting, smooth your skin or add a cute effect to their story. But modern filters can do a lot more than that. Some can reshape facial features, alter skin texture, adjust face proportions and subtly change the way someone looks without most people even noticing.

Which makes me wonder...

How much of what we see online is actually a person, and how much of it is software? 👀

Instagram Filters Are More Powerful Than We Think 🎭 One thing that makes Instagram filters so interesting is that they are no longer just decorations. Many of the filters we have used today are actually "Augmented Reality (AR)" where digital effects are directly onto our faces and surroundings in real life.

A few years ago, AR filters were mostly used for fun. People would turn themselves into puppies or wear flower crowns. Even the superzoom love effect was a whole trend 😭

I swear to god... those are the OG instagram filters. Now they are much more advanced. Some AR filters can instantly smooth skin, brighten eyes, slim facial features and adjust lighting while the camera is still recording.

The changes happen so quickly that sometimes it's hard for people to believe that they are looking at a digitally enhanced version of reality. The Software Is Making Decisions For Us🤖 This is where software literacy becomes really important. It is also to know how technology influences what we observe and how we see the world around us 🌍. An AR filter automatically removes acne and softens wrinkles or changes facial proportions and the software makes decisions about what is considered attractive.

When it comes to faces, it subtly implies that one version of a face looks better than the other. Software has a significant influence on digital culture, as many of our experiences online are influenced by technological systems that work behind the scenes (Manovich, 2011). It actively influences how people create content and how audiences interpret it.

The "No Filter" Filter 😭 One of the funniest things about social media is that many filters are designed to look like there is no filter at all 😭. People use filters to create the appearance of being completely natural.

The selfie may seem completely natural, but there could be AR face tracking, smoothing of the skin, lighting adjustments and some subtle changes in the face going on at the same time. The technology becomes almost invisible, but its influence does not.

Even Celebrities Got Called Out 🔥 This is not just something that happens with influencers. Celebrities have also faced criticism when followers suspected that beauty filters or editing tools were being used on social media.

Madison Beer is an example, as she has been the centre of focus for many online discussions regarding beauty standards and photo editing. Some social media users have accused her of heavily editing photos or using beauty filters, while others argue that her appearance is simply the result of makeup and lighting. They are surprised because they believed the image was completely natural. This is a reminder of the importance people still give to being honest and genuine on the internet.

Why Digital Citizenship Matters ⚠️ The word digital citizenship is used and most people immediately think of online safety, privacy settings or avoiding cyberbullying. All that is important of course, but I think there is another side to it which people don't talk about enough. It's also a learning process of how to think critically about the information we're taking in on a daily basis. When we see a perfectly edited selfie on Instagram, we probably might pause and reflect on a few questions.

Is this image filtered?

How was this content created?

According to Scholarworks et al. (2019), digital citizenship involves developing the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to use technology responsibly.  With so many filters that can change a person's looks within a few seconds, these skills are more important than ever before.

It is knowing how Instagram might be influencing the way we see reality. So... Can We Still Trust What We See Online? 🌙 The thing about Instagram filters is, they are not inherently bad or good ⚖️.

These are used for harmless purposes by most people. Some use them for creativity, some use them for entertainment, and others like to experiment with the different looks. There is nothing wrong with that. The issue is forgetting that the filter exists. As AR filters become more advanced, they are becoming harder to detect. The technology is meant to be invisible, meaning that digital enhancement can be confused with reality without people even realising.

Not because we need to stop using filters. One thing is for sure, technology will continue to progress no matter what. But the more we understand how these tools work, the better we become at recognising when technology is quietly influencing what we see, what we believe and sometimes even how we see ourselves 📱✨.

There's a meteor shower visible tonight...and now Hevy and the Domino Squad are taking up that special place in my brain 😆

Summer of Bad Batch WEEK 9: Stargazing

@summer-of-bad-batch

This week was extra special because of our lovely show's 2nd anniversary! If you just found our page, or you missed a day this week, this recap is for you! 💜

Links for Week 9 are below the cut! ⬇️