Getty Images Doesn't Recognize Mercy: When Original Celebrity Photos Are Released Without Filters, Including Syahrini at Cannes

Getty Images is essentially one of the largest stock photo and video agencies in the world, founded in 1995 by Mark Getty and Jonathan Klein. With a repository of over 400 million images from thousands of contributors, ranging from freelance photographers to staff photographers, Getty specializes in editorial and creative services.

Photos taken at major events such as the Cannes Film Festival go through a special briefing, are then selected, tagged with metadata (celebrity names, events, locations), and sold with rights-managed or "royalty-free" licenses through their online platform. Getty's credibility and global reach make it a primary reference for international media seeking high-quality visual material.

Paid photo agencies like Getty Images, Shutterstock, or Associated Press enforce editorial only provisions that prohibit excessive retouching. Shutterstock, for example, states that Editorial Use Only content may only be edited in minor ways such as cropping, minimal color correction, without significantly altering the content or context of the image. Similarly, Associated Press limits retouching to the removal of dust or scratches, while tonal manipulation or alteration of key elements in the photo is strictly prohibited to maintain journalistic authenticity.

As a result, details such as pores, fine lines, or facial structure will be very exposed, even thick makeup looks 'rounded' due to the lighting and high resolution of the camera.

Unlike those strict standards, many South Korean entertainment portals and local selfie apps indulge in retouching. Photos released by media outlets like Dispatch, Ten Asia, or Star Daily News often undergo skin brightening, automatic texture smoothing, and color grading that result in an Instagrammable appearance, such as whiter, smoother skin, and shadow-free looks. The trend of using apps like Cymera, which allows for jaw shaping, eye widening, and soft blurring, shows how visual culture in Korea tends to prioritize aesthetic perfection.

As a result of Getty's editorial standards, many celebrities feel 'trapped' in frames they cannot control. Not even Kim Kardashian is safe, who is often criticized because her cheek and pore appearances look different when photographed by paparazzi for agencies like Getty.

On the other hand, some are safe, like Angelina Jolie, who is often praised for the sharp angles and lighting of their official photos. Recently, People.com praised Jolie's appearance at Cannes, which was deemed flawless and elegant in a strapless gown, emphasizing that some celebs indeed have a photogenic presence that remains intact even without retouching.

From Syahrini's humorous confessions to the strict rules of global photo agencies, we are made aware that behind the scenes of red carpet photos is a complex combination of technology, journalistic ethics, and cultural visual expectations.