Why This Iconic Fashion Photographer Is Against Retouching

published 8 August 2016

From a young Kate Moss in overalls to a gaggle of supermodels on the beach, some of fashion’s most memorable photographs all have one thing in common: They were shot by the legendary Peter Lindbergh. Ahead of a new exhibition in Rotterdam dedicated to his work, the lensman gave a new interview to The Guardian, and we learned a lot about his opinions on retouching.

The interviewer met Lindbergh on the set of a shoot with model Lara Stone, where someone noted that her nose looked red. “She looks absolutely fantastic … raw, the same power as Kate [Moss],” he told The Guardian. “But who cares if her nose is red? You don’t see the power and the poetry of not being perfect?”

He went on to say that he does not subscribe to the industry’s standard of perfection. “The cosmetic companies have everyone brainwashed,” he told The Guardian. “I don’t retouch anything. ‘Oh, but she looks tired!’ they say. So what if she looks tired? Tired and beautiful.’” Now that’s an inspiring philosophy we can get behind.

Scroll down to see some of our favorite Peter Lindbergh images!

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What are your thoughts on retouching in fashion? Tell us in the comments below, and then shop fashion photography from the Condé Nast store online!

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Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 14 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of Associate Director of Fashion News (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Kate and Meghan stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible.