Sorta *ooof*: A Touchy Subject

/ June 17, 2019

Or maybe it’s rather a touch-up subject… Yes, she is going there. She is going to address the elephant in the room. The filteri-filtera that is going on. But let’s start properly.

We all wouldn’t be fans if we didn’t scrutinise the images of our favourite actor to the nth. For a while, I – although I fancy myself as an observant photo reader – didn’t even really see what was going on. That images are touched up when they are taken on professional photo shoots, is a given. And it has to be said that retouching is usually not demanded by the sitters, but is an essential part of the process in digital photography. In fact, there are plenty of celebrities – mainly women – who have publicly spoken against retouching, mainly because it creates unhealthy images, stereotypes and expections of women in terms of beauty, body and appearance. Among them are well-known actors such as Kate Winslet or performers like Lady Gaga. However, photographers rarely let go of their images without editing – because it is in their own interest to create an all-round beautiful image. The better/smoother/prettier the image, the higher the chance that the photographer can sell it. An easy calculation. But unfortunately the criticism by celebrity against photoshopping already shows that there is an ethical dimension to the issue. How much editing is “normal”? Especially given that photography still has a vague reputation of being “documentary” and “reflecting the truth”. The latter can really not be said (anymore). With digital photography, retouching has become part and parcel of post-production. And not only that, it actually has become somewhat automatic, thanks to the ubiquitous filters that are now available for any app that offers photography features. And that is what I am going to address today. Because the filters on Instagram are what pulled the wool over my eyes. It took me a while until I really copped on, mostly because I know from my own photographic practice that photoshop/editing/retouching was a time-consuming, detail-rich process – one that I really did not enjoy at all. I am a minimal invasive photographer myself – if I can get away without retouching, I am happiest. Thus I never liked editing – or filters. And because I wasn’t using them, I didn’t realise how good they were.

Amusing coincidence: RA also stands for “Retouching Academy”. No further comment *sniggers*

And boy, are those filters good. Coming back to the scrutiny from the beginning, it was only due to the in-depth familiarity with my favourite actor’s face, that I eventually could not ignore the truth any longer. Mr A is a filterer. Or a filteRA? In any case, he likes the automatic filters, judging by his output on Instagram. But until recently, there was never really any tangible proof that he was putting filters across his pictures. Sure, there were indications – however good the years have been, but the smoothness around the eyes just sometimes looked a little bit too pixel-fresh – but it’s hard to find evidence when you don’t have anything to compare with, i.e. an original photo beside a filtered one. But a while back, the evidence finally surfaced. And I think this is absolutely fascinating. During Richard’s visit to Sundance Film Festival 2019 he was photographed by Ryan Pfluger, and this is the image that was taken for the Vulture feature The Faces of Sundance.

Picture by Ryan Pfluger for Vulture

Gorgeous, right? I could go into full *ooof* mode here and talk about what *I* love about this photo although many people would consider a “floating head” as bad photography. I don’t. You just have to look straight to the right to see my own version of a floating head, taken in Leeds. I love b/w, especially on a man who has got a few edges and lines in his face to be illustrated with light and shadow, creating a beautiful historical map of a life lived. B/w is boring when it doesn’t have contrast to work with. And I like how this “floating head” simply draws attention to everything that is remarkable about this face – the intense gaze, that seems to hold a slight glint of danger; the eyebrow, almost quirked; a few straight lines coming from the corner of the eye, like rays of the sun; a memorable nose that is not just a sharp line but has some interesting curves; a hint of grey on the temple;  There are beard hairs to count and pores to pore over; and a forehead that shows signs of some worthy thinking going on behind.

Apparently not an aesthetic that Richard himself likes. Compare this:

This is the Ryan Pfluger image again, posted by Richard on his Weibo page, a little later. And a little different. Wait, I’ll show you.

I wish there was an eye shadow filter for when I get up in the morning

I have focussed on the essentials in my gif here. It is a montage of the two images, dissolving into each other. There is no editing otherwise on my part, but it is quite apparent in my gif that some filtering is going on: The filter lightens up the shadow – which essentially means that some of the lines are filled with light and the skin appears smoothed out. Let’s have a look again, side by side.

Interesting, right? I am not going to get into the ethics of this; and I don’t really want to be judgmental about it, either. Richard can do whatever he wants on his social media outlets, and the important thing always remains that he himself has to be happy with the choices he makes. His choice of photographs – as well as filters and poses – have always fascinated me because they often do not match with my favourite pictures of him. Likewise, whether you prefer the original image or the one reposted by Richard, is completely up to you. My own hunch is that I prefer the first version. Not least because I firmly believe that an image that has been officially published, constitutes the “definitive”, final version of a work of art/creativity as it has been intended by its creator. But also because it appears to have character while picture number 2 looks kind of… washed out? Eroded? I suppose those words already are loaded with meaning, and I do not want to judge. I emphasise again, that this is merely *my* approach and my preference. And  circling back to the beginning, maybe this isn’t really as big a thing as we make it out to be. As fans, *we* notice. But do others who are less familiar, do? Probably not. Touchy subject…

Related posts

120 thoughts on “Sorta *ooof*: A Touchy Subject”

  1. Really interesting subject and nicely approached.
    My point of view would be partially ,is the original picture actually true to life? And what I mean by that is…does the monochrome accurately depict his skin or is it exaggerating the lines? Also we have the saying in dentistry about radiographs being a 2D depiction of a 3D structure.
    I think I need a close up, real life encounter with Mr Armitage to truely decide! 😂 (well you’ve been there!)

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • It’s a very tricky subject, and I don’t really want to make a subject that becomes moralistic or defamatory. I personally do not like filters *on people* – but I have used filters for landscapes, so it’s not as if I completely reject the use of them.
      You are posing interesting questions that certainly influence the decisions about filter use. But the same applies to your questions, too: The answers are subjective. *I* may find that the original picture represents the sitter adequately; the sitter may diagree. Judging by my RL encounters, I think the original pic was accurate. I found RA in RL breathtakingly handsome. And I think the same about the original image – I love the darkness that is in that picture. It is much more exciting than the rubbed out version which he himself evidently prefers. But again: subjective.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  3. I’m with you, Guylty; far prefer the “real” or ReAl man to the more idealised one. Is this because he thinks he will get more parts, or might appeal to a younger audience?
    I find visible maturity much more believable particularly for the strong character parts – give me a man who looks like he has lived, rather than an eternally smooth skinned child. (e.g. Stewart, McKellen, Sheen and Hopkins -although I think the last one might have had a bit of ‘work’).
    As it happens, I also think that the more mature actresses are also superb (Dench, Rigg, Mirren and Smith, just as a sample).
    Perhaps I am a little hypocritical, as I do not appear in any sort of photos if I can help it 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • The whole entertainment industry is so focussed on youth and beauty, I am sure it is hard for any actor to NOT feel they are being evaluated on the basis of those parameters. So yeah, I’d say he is trying to look younger – and appeal to a younger audience.
      I would agree with you that visible maturity is preferable. But I am very much aware that I am myself “past it”. I am not part of the young demographic anymore, hence I am probably looking for role models/celebs who are at a similar age than I am – complete with crows feet, laughter lines and belly fat 😂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  4. I go with the first. I think it was one of Zee’s students that said”are these men your husband’s they are all different? ” remembering the Hobbit,it seemed his face changed with every picture,it felt like it was two different people..G, what about that recent one with the blue shirt??That is definitely unfiltered to my eyes.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • If I remember correctly, he said exactly the same himself at RDC5 – that his face changes with every role (or that Yael Farber told him that his face would change during the run of The Crucible). It has. (Some of that is the passing of time, too, though… 🤫)
      Blue shirt? Which picture is that?

      Like

      Reply

      • I don’t have a copy .it looks like he has his elbow on something and his hand is under his chin..He looks old.that is the only picture I can say he aged.not a good picture.It’s newer one.

        Like

        Reply

  5. I can understand that he use filters, one is not satisfied with pictures of oneself. I find pictures of myself ugly so I avoid to be photographed and I don’t want to use filters. Some lines and wrinkles give life in a face,otherwise it is only a mask. They suits him.
    This picture is ooof-worthy. I like it

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. I don’t like the second photograph, it’s horrible and doesn’t look like him, it reminds me of a bad waxwork lol
    Most of his roles recently are middle aged family men so I am surprised he doesn’t want to look his age.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Waxworks – reminds me more of some of the pictures by his favourite photographer, Sarah Dunn. In this case, I would like the cleaned-up texture more to a felt toy…
      True – but maybe he doesn’t want to be pigeon-holed? But well, let’s face it, it’s not really “cool” to be the go-to man for middle-aged family men. Unfortunately. I guess, boys always want to be boys – and be  action super heroes.

      Like

      Reply

  7. The untouched photo is intriguing as heck. The “refined” photo takes away the intrigue. A varnish of boring, plastic “perfection.”

    Like

    Reply

  9. Definitely an interesting topic.There are some pictures of him where his eyes seem SO IMPOSSIBLY BLUE that I question whether they have been enhanced or not.

    I get the impression he does care a lot about how he looks based on comments in the past, but he is in the business of show, so I can’t exactly judge him for it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • The eyes are an interesting point, too, although my impression is that those are enhanced by fans or photographers rather than himself when he filters the images. But I agree with you – often the eyes are so unnaturally blue, it is quite obvious that the image saturation has been messed with.
      The issue of vanity has much been discussed here, too. I am slightly obsessed with that, tbh. But the mitigating circumstance is, as you point out, that he is working in the meat market – and the beef cake has to be seen in order to be bought.

      Like

      Reply

  11. The trouble is that as someone who is the same age as him some of his photos just don’t look right when he applies the filter, the camera may lie but sadly the date of birth and the amount of wrinkles that arrive each passing year don’t! He has such an interesting face that is just getting better with age, if only he could see it.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • On principle, I do agree, Rosie. I am of similar vintage as him – oh, and I also have the lines and crows feet to prove it 😂. And believe me, I am not happy about it. But I have decided that it is more dignified for me to display my age as it is. 🤷🏼‍♀️

      Like

      Reply

  15. I much prefer the original! Richard looks stunning. I think Rachel poses an interesting thought, maybe neither photo has captured Richard as he truly looked at that particular point in time. I do kind of get the whole filtering thing, I really don’t like the way I look in photographs myself, but put those photos out there representing someone in one way, and the minute they roll up in person, there is the truth in living 3D, so ultimately the whole exercise is pointless imho.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • See, that’s exactly what I think, too, Mezz. What’s the point in airbrushing the lines and wrinkles, or making myself look thinner, when just one second of meeting me face-to-face will prove all that a lie? Maybe it’s different for actors, though, in that every time they look in the mirror, they are heavily made up for their work on the stage or in front of the camera. So yeah, in that sense he really doesn’t look like the first picture…

      Like

      Reply

  16. I think the 1st picture is better. I think that we have made to think that wrinkles are a bad thing when they are just a normal part of ageing. Some people also age slower that others and just look younger. With that said I will touch up color if the photo if its to light or dark. my oldest son got a nice camera a few years ago that he don’t use so I have taken it and we took our younger 2 sons senior pictures with it plus had the boys cousin take a few family photos. It sure save use a bit of money and the photos look good. Youngest son learned at school how to take photos and edit as he use on the school newspaper and yearbook staff.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Such a pity that the signs of ageing are being seen as something negative and to hide. Sure, youth is beauty personified – smooth skin and shiny hair and all. But there is beauty in maturity, too…
      Good to hear you are all getting some use out of the camera. Photography is a wonderful hobby. I always say that I am never bored when I have my camera with me – there is always something to photograph, no matter where, what time or whatever the weather.

      Like

      Reply

  17. Really interesting Guylty Yes I much prefer the first published , even though it emphasises his furrows The 2nd image is just peculiar – and unecessary. On that basis I would have expected to see a wizened old man at the con, but he looked a youthful beautiful 47. Yes he has aged but many of his lines have been there for years. And If he wants to look younger he could shave more- ho ho!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I love your conclusion, Dreamer!
      But yes, you have hit it – youthful, beautiful 47. And those adjectives were not so much about the smoothness of his facial skin, but the way he spoke, and moved and laughed. When I go through my memories, there is not a single line or wrinkle in my mind, only a brilliant smile and sparkling eyes.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  19. I’m late to the party but here’s my two cents.
    Firstly he has said himself that he is vain (in the Hobbit 60 seconds with Martin Freeman) and I believe he is since his body is his working tool.
    Secondly I think it amuses him to use the filters. I can hear him chuckling.
    Third and the biggest reason is that he is alone and so he hears the inner voice we all have which says all kinds of negative things (I bet we all know what I mean) . When you have a SO there’s someone who looks at you lovingly and your inner voice doesn’t get so loud.

    I prefer of course the first pic. I think that one’s face/hands etc only gets more beautiful by time.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Yep, I think the vanity thing is official 😁. But I really like your other two points here, S. Maybe he really likes to put filters on just because he knows they will be noticed – and because he himself thinks it’s funny how obvious the change is…
      Your third point is even better, though. It must be hard enough, dealing with the meat market aspect of the entertainment industry every day. Not having a beloved SO (or an ever-loving mother!) who will reassure and boost your confidence, makes it harder to deal with the superficiality of being beautiful at all times.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  20. Thank you for raising this topic; his heavy use of the filter is one of my pet peeves! RA inevitably manages to make himself look waxy, like a plastic dummy. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but his filtering does not make his images more attractive IMO. On the other hand, I love your sepia filtered image of him playing JT.
    If he is having a bit of fun with filtering then I would have expected him to do one of the joke filters with bunny ears…. Now there’s a thought!
    Maybe he needs to take some photography lessons, learn to touch up his photos using a more subtle touch?

    Like

    Reply

    • The problem with filters is it kind of raises expectations. And it becomes a bit of a vicious circle – you have to continue using it, otherwise you suddenly look shite 😆
      You know, I think filters and gimmicks and edits and manips are perfectly fine as a creative expression for fans. As would be the joke filters you suggest. I completely agree with you – that would be funny, and it would probably make me love him more if he posted himself with puppy ears and a big wet snout. But the filters that make him look like waxworks? Not my cup of tea.
      I’ll happily tutor him on some gentle editing, though.

      Like

      Reply

  21. Hm, i am less bothered by it tbh, mostly because i am less bothered by the photos posted by himself, in opposition to the ones taken by press or at interviews etc which show him more alive. It’s just that the still, looking into a phone lens kind of person is awkward to me and does not represent the person with a voice, hand gestures, opinions that i like and enjoy watching or listening too.
    I wonder what the purpose of the filtering is? It’s not like the harsh light of the make up truck at 6am will show him any different than he is, recently woken up, with lines and wrinkles and then often looking better a few hours into the day once his body and mind have been active. I am just grateful he hasn’t crossed into actually physically trying to erase some of his features, which would be an unbelievable shame. So fingers crossed that stays the same.

    I think it’s more for himself than anyone else. As he will know that any casting call will show him in real life as he actually is. See make up truck reality above. He surely knows he can’t actually cheat either the mirror or the camera ultimately, or the latter only to a limited degree.

    I wonder, sadly and frustratingly if some of this self critique or distorted perception is to do with the roles he has lately been offered, opposite much much younger colleagues, especially women, nearly half his age. It surely doesn’t help when roles are so age dependent and poor on the character front. I suspect it probably ultimately is more a reflection of that. Because there are actors/men and women out there who seem less burdened by their age or wrinkles because the roles they get to play have nothing to do with said wrinkles.

    I laughed out loud at Tennant the other week, because as soon as he sat down on Graham Norton’s couch, Graham went: well, you have a nice bear, growing so uniformally one colour. The entire audience laughed and s did DT who took mock offense of being attacked as soon as he’d sat down. Minutes later at a question about hair he replied with humour and self-deprication: it’s called hair dye- i’m an actor! And there was a similar half hilarious, half embarrassed, half ironic retelling of an interview by Martin Sheen where he was asked by an interviewer if he was wearing a fat suit in Good Omens. To which he had to say, no, that was all him. Look at Rory Kinnear,thinning hair and all, still no issue getting work. Or Emma Thompson or a million others. Douglass Henshall in Shetland https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2019/02/Shetland-cast-cd0cbc6.jpg?quality=90&resize=620,413

    Even Andrew Scott, lines, wrinkles and all https://media.timeout.com/images/105470215/1024/576/image.jpg

    Or even, look , former and current boy band members, i bumped into this one from Take That the other day in a restaurant: (Howard Donald – see his FB profile pic,https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/56931987_10155940882567307_8658067092735524864_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_oc=AQnOto6ywRmG_VceamQIyjSPbKeez1oL-lcNfUfVL0bbfomJkZRllu9M0nZsTaVs_N0&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr3-1.xx&oh=33f45cf89c290369614d3f2e2776914a&oe=5D7CC628)

    The media have a lot to answer for and the images of people they promote. But at least locally in the UK it’s not nearly as bad and there are more things to do for actors than play dads, spies or some romantic heroes. And they don’t have to look like models at all.

    So, i really really hope he’ll stay more local and find different types of roles opening up to him and will find some confirmation outside of himself that wrinkles or bags under your eyes really don’t make any difference at all.

    PS Can’t remember when is the last time i’ve seen a ‘just the dad’, romantic hero or alpha male type thing on telly anyway.. Well, maybe Strike is a bit of a romantic hero, but he’s no alpha male ;-)) The Hollywood stereotypes is really not where the entertainment industry is at nowadays… nor good writing for TV There is plenty of better work out there for 40 and 50 somethings with graying or thinning hairs, bags under their eyes, and interesting eyes.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Re playing opposite younger women, I totally agree Hari. That’s why I’m so happy that he’s finally cast with someone like Dervla Irwin. He has said that actors can draw unexpected responses from those sharing a scene with them, so I’m really looking forward to seeing these two working together.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      • I agree. (Although I am also aware that my own age has an influence on how I perceive my favourite actor, who is of the same age as myself, consistently being paired with women younger than me. It definitely chips away at *my* confidence, too. I actually think it is an issue that the film industry needs to tackle because it is deeply misogynistic.)

        Like

        Reply

    • I think you are raising some interesting points here. Does the face in the selfie represent the person? Well, you and I may not think so. But *he* obviously does… that is what I find interesting (and difficult to fathom at the same time). But granted – a selfie made with a wobbly hand-held camera phone, is definitely a different kettle of fish to a deliberately made image by a photographic pro. (Ha, totally smug on my part.)
      Exactly – what is the purpose of filtered selfies? In order to find that out, we would have to know who the audience of his selfies is. And also who *he thinks* the audience of his selfies is. Is he aiming these pictures at his fans? Or at the press? At casting agents? At directors and producers? Or is he just trying to convince himself? I don’t think we’ll ever get an answer to this… But if the next logical consequence was plastic surgery, then I really, really hope he never goes down that road. Embrace what you have – and celebrate the flaw, I say. Make fun of it, like Tennant. I enjoy looking at people like Tennant – with his pronounced laughter lines around his eyes. It makes it obvious that DT likes to smile and laugh, and has the personality to go with that. Wonderful. All the examples you have linked to, are just a case in point. None of those men are unattractive *because of the progression of age*. It’s a pleasure to look at them! – And sometimes men are actually getting more attractive with age. I was at a Bon Jovi concert at the weekend (don’t judge – the ticket was a gift because one of the party could not attend), and they displayed lots of pictures of Jon Bon Jovi on the massive screens. I think it was this: http://www.nab.org/documents/newsroom/photos/bon_jovi_hi2.jpg Ok, it’s b/w and you can’t see that his hair is grey, but I looked at that and said to my (male) friend: “Wow, JBJ is really getting much more attractive with age…”

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      • I love Bon Jovi :-))) i really need to go see another concert of his!! Funny his hairs is grey, not sure who it was who also did his hair, i think it might have been a family member or something close, anyway, same person for years and i thought he might dye it with age. But he looks just as interesting. And yes, somehow more handsome. My tastes certainly run for the more mature, or close to my age than the 20-somethings as well.
        I sort of hope because apart from the nose he’s stayed away from plastic surgery he will do so in the future too. I hope he’ll get to accept that his face actually ages in an interesting way. I mean most people do, unless you’ve been unfortunately ill or abused substances usually faces become more interesting and never in a bad way. I can only imagine he filtering is for himself and maybe for some younger fans because he feels he is competing with 20-somethings in their attention? Certainly not for real casting i’d think.
        He seems happy with the current project so hope that will work well and hopefully he’ll do some stage work which i sort of feel always works like a confidence boost for him. and rightly so 🙂
        One way or another i miss some new press photos to look at 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

        • Oops, haha, so I put my foot in with Bon Jovi. (I’ve never been a fan at all, but you should’ve seen mit at the concert on Sunday. It was raining cats and dogs, I was drenched right down to the skin. Miserable. But by the end of the concert I was dancing and screaming all the lyrics. Shot through the heart!)
          There is nothing wrong with ageing. It’s part of life. I fully sympathise if he finds it difficult to accept. So do I. I look at myself and I feel like my life is over. Fat, wrinkly, old. But then I realise that it’s a process we all go through. Sooner or later.
          The Stranger seems like a project that he is really into, just judging by his interaction with the producer, the writer, and some colleagues. Bodes well, if you ask me.

          Liked by 2 people

          Reply

          • What are you talking about, you’re none of these things and plenty of stuff to do in life 🙂 Especially when the little ones need a bit less mothering 😉

            Like

            Reply

            • I wonder what his passport photo looks like. No filtering happening there! Getting my new passport with the updated photo was a real blow to my ego lol, I look every year of my age and more. It’s definitely not how I see myself!

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply

      • as to DT i love him in equal measures as he annoys me sometimes; he’s like a family member for cod’s sake. He’s everywhere! Podcasts, series, promos, shows, new projects. He never stops, one day he’ll show up in my tin of soup! 5th kid on the way and yesterday i read 2 articles about 2 new projects he’s involved in. He seems to work at a pace driven by fear he won’t be able to feed the family LOL. Good on him 🙂 But take pity on the others and leave some work for other actors David, please!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  22. I think he is a director in the making, and he’s practicing on himself for fun, sport and experience. I accept anything he dishes out: professionally done, selfie, filters, black and white, wrinkles, prosthetics, confident, anxious, good role, bad role–I don’t care. My answer to all is “Yes, thank you, more, please.”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Interesting interpretation, Besotted. Although I think there are better practice subjects that he could attempt… But anyway, you are right in the sense that it is good ti have any picture news from him *at all*.

      Like

      Reply

  23. Thanks for sharing! And the side by side and gif really clarify the difference in the images!

    I agree that Richard only has to please himself. His choice, and he works in a very youth oriented industry. So, I understand some of his retouching. Yet I certainly appreciate his natural state–pores and all. Sighhh!

    Like

    Reply

  24. This is a really interesting post! I keep trying to get back to comment… of course I like the gist one. Really fascinating to see the gif of the two versions.

    I suppose he wants to look younger, but I like him to look mature but not old. To me, the pictures at that hotel are horrible and aging. Same with the one he uses for his Twitter avatar. (Why does he use that if he’s concerned about looking old in pictures?) I know which picture dededotti is talking about but I can’t find it. It’s the one in the blue shirt where his forearm is across the front, with his chin resting there and his wrist looks super bony.

    I don’t find the beard aging, but I do find extreme skinniness aging. Looks like he’s not quite as skinny now as he was.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Mature but not old, that fits it. Some of the styling choices go a bit too far imo. The weird hotel shoot in 2016 was the exact opposite. That turtleneck was such a boring, untrendy choice, and the photographer made RA look pasty and pale. I totally hated that shoot, and I absolutely cannot understand what others find attractive about that.
      OH, *that* blue shirt photo. Hm, there we go – it’s one of my favourites, and I have never found his wrist too bony. It looks delicate (which may not necessarily be something that a man would like to look like), but the hairs kind of distracted me… I was very much taken by the intense gaze that is even intensified by the pose.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

              • Guylty to chime in no no on the word fat: maybe curvy but giving up smoking is huge and no wrinkles is fabulous although you would look beautiful w them as well!!
                He seems much happier w huskiness and some meat on his bones then last year when I would have sent him every chocolate cake and ice cream I could get my hands on to feed him!! 😉😘😂🤗🌺🌹❤️❤️🇬🇧

                Like

                Reply

                • I know, I really hate that word, too, Michele. But unfortunately it is the truth. Since November 22 I have gained at least 15 kilos (30+ pounds). And I simply do not have the strength at the moment to stop myself. *shrugs*
                  RA definitely looks much healthier this year. The lowest point for me was that interview where he is wearing a white, knitted shirt in the recording studio. He almost looked emaciated.

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply

                  • Guylty I agree with you on Richard he looked awful there I’ve said it last fall
                    I’m so happy he looks healthy and happier even if he is watching BBC series w us on the weekends!
                    I think the greater good here is you quit smoking and have stopped. I’m huge on beating myself up about my body and weight gain but you are staying busy and things will taper out. You are beautiful inside and out and all of us here adore you just as you are to borrow a line from Bridget Jones! 😘❤️🇬🇧🌸

                    Liked by 1 person

                    Reply

                    • You are right. Funny – I feel very much like that when it comes to other people – but when it comes to myself, negativity is the first thing that comes to mind.

                      Liked by 2 people

                    • Me too Guylty me too and no one could accuse us of being vain! It is very hard to stop self criticism
                      I have battled that since adolescence and I suspect our Richard has too!
                      Maybe that is one reason besides the devastating physical Handsomeness of him that I find so appealing he is quite humble and hard on himself! We are in great company sweetie pie!! 😘🤗👍🌹🌺❤️💗💗

                      Like

                    • Good point. Although it really always pains me when he comes out with stuff like that. (As a matter of fact, I almost get angry when he does. Coming from such an attractive man, I always find it so ironic, and that really rubs me the wrong way. I know he means it… but yeah, it just is so wrong for him!)

                      Liked by 1 person

                  • Snowman Interview, i think i actually cried a bit when i saw that-he looked so sad in so many ways 😦
                    I am so glad that he looks happier and healthier x

                    Like

                    Reply

Let me know what you think!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.