Tampa Photography Blog

Not even Lance Armstrong can avoid being “Photoshopped.”

His latest professional magazine photo graces the cover of Outside, a travel and fitness magazine. He wore a plain t-shirt for the photo session and Outside staff added “38. BFD.” (The numbers and letters refer to his age this year--38 years old--and that it’s not a “big f---ing deal”.)

Armstrong is pissed. He called it “weak” that they did it without his permission.

In the age of digital alterations, the only thing that upsets me is that there’s an easier solution—ask him to wear a shirt with the phrase on it in the first place. Maybe they did and he refused but no one has offered up that information yet.

The story is about his 38^th year and how he’s overcome so much and what's in store for his future. I get it. It’s kind of funny to have a shirt on that expresses his attitude.

However, so many staffers are now looking to do post-production work on photos that they forget photographers can make most of it happen from behind the lens! It’s lazy and brings more scrutiny on all publications every time there’s a controversial magazine cover photo that’s rumored to be an altered image. Outside staff defended their actions by showing they have very small print on the cover that says, “Note: Not Armstrong’s Real T-shirt.”

Just because someone admits “I’m lazy” doesn’t make it ok.