The process of creating a filter and editing a video on TikTok can be seen as an act of self-expression that allows users to manipulate their image and present themselves in ways they feel comfortable or attractive.
This practice has also been criticized for promoting a narrow definition of beauty and objectifying women's bodies. In particular, TikTok's popularity among younger audiences has led to concerns about the platform normalizing unhealthy body ideals and perpetuating harmful stereotypes about gender roles and sexuality. By examining how filters and editing techniques are used in TikTok videos, it is possible to understand how these practices contribute to the construction of eroticized versions of the body as spectacle.
One way that filters and editing techniques construct eroticized versions of the body as spectacle is through the emphasis on certain physical features such as eyes, lips, and skin tone.
Many lip-syncing videos feature heavily edited faces that exaggerate the appearance of full, pouty lips. This kind of editing creates a hyper-feminine and seductive image that reinforces traditional ideas about femininity and desirability. Similarly, videos with bright lights and high contrast create a glowing effect that enhances the appearance of skin tones and makes them appear smoother and more youthful. These effects not only idealize certain physical traits but also suggest that these features are essential for attractiveness.
Another way that filters and editing techniques construct eroticized versions of the body as spectacle is through the use of camera angles and framing. Many TikTok users employ creative angles and positions to draw attention to specific parts of their bodies.
Videos that showcase cleavage or bouncing breasts rely on low-angle shots that draw the viewer's gaze upward towards the chest area. These angles highlight the erotic potential of the female body and reinforce patriarchal power dynamics by positioning women as objects to be viewed rather than active participants in sexual encounters.
Filters and editing techniques can also construct eroticized versions of the body as spectacle through sound effects and music. By using suggestive sounds or adding soundtracks with explicit lyrics, TikTokers create an atmosphere of intimacy and titillation that encourages viewers to engage with their content in a sexualized manner. In this context, the body becomes something to be consumed and objectified rather than celebrated for its individuality and uniqueness.
TikTok filters and editing techniques contribute to the construction of eroticized versions of the body as spectacle by emphasizing certain physical attributes, manipulating lighting and angles to draw attention to certain body parts, and creating an atmosphere of sexualization through sound effects and music. While these practices may seem harmless, they perpetuate harmful stereotypes about gender roles and sexuality and have negative consequences for both individuals and society at large.
How do TikTok filters and editing techniques construct eroticized versions of the body as spectacle?
The use of filters and editing techniques on TikTok creates an environment where bodies can be manipulated into specific shapes and forms that are often hypersexualized. The result is a construction of the body as an object for consumption rather than an individual with their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences.