Attitude’s editor-in-chief strips off to show how magazines can manipulate bodies
By Will Stroude
This month’s issue of Attitude – available to download and in shops now – is all about the body beautiful.
As our extensive new survey into body image reveals the shocking truth about how gay men really feel about their bodies, Attitude’s new editor-in-chief Matt Cain dared to strip off in front of the camera to demonstrate how the bodies people see in photos are often completely detached from reality.
In a ‘Real Bodies’ special, Matt’s body is subjected to the tricks and techniques used by many magazines to enhance the male body, with everything from contouring dehydration, lighting and post-production techniques used to create the typical ‘dream body’.
“Every issue of Attitude is important to us but this one even more so than usual. And it’s one that I really care about,” says Matt.
“Our relationship with our body is one of the most important we’ll ever have. It’s one that can bring us intense pleasure but can also cause huge stress. And it’s one that we can’t end with a quick, easy break-up.
He adds: “The version of my body we created is very much a fantasy. I hope when readers see it they’ll understand this. I hope it will stop them looking at hot bodies in magazines and asking, “Why can’t I look like that?’.”
Read the full feature in Attitude’s Body Issue, available to download and in shops now. Available internationally from newsstand.co.uk/attitude.
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