PSD: Photoshop Disasters

AB 18.00 Uhr: Head Pin Honey

2012-01-26T23:28:00.000-08:00

Newly divorced and alone, Susan was talked into joining the company bowling team. Her very first strike came when she imagined the woman he’d left her for as the head pin.

Obviously, this is a quick-and-dirty print promo for some ‘happy hour’ event across the pond, so I’m not going to condescend a whole lot about the amateur quality. I do, however, feel insulted that they expect us to believe that women of this caliber on the hotness scale hang out at bowling alleys which lack the budget required for either quality marketing staff or occasional painting of the pins.

Thanks Michael. The original can be found in a number of bowling alleys in Augsburg, Germany

Kmart: Paste-a-Pooch

2012-01-25T23:29:00.000-08:00

Introducing AfterPet®! The realistic, lifelike image of your family’s furriest member. AfterPet® helps you keep your children in the dark about your pet’s personal 'green mile' until they’re safely into their self-involved teen years. Simply place the custom AfterPet® image of your eternally happy pet on a stranger’s sofa, in a strange car, or laying in a meadow on that ‘wide-open ranch’ where you told them she went to live, snap a quick photo, and upload it via your mobile device with a note: “Ginger misses you!”

I’m assuming the product in this ad is the protective blanket upon which the non-existent mutt is laying. I’m also assuming that nobody connected to this print shoot owned a dog any cuter than a Rottweiler, hence the decision to assign the snot-nosed intern to cut and paste in a Golden Retriever with a bootleg copy of Photoshop rather than hire a professional with the skills to make it look, uh… professional.

Thanks Jesse. You can see the original on the Kmart site.

Grazia: Wonder Woman: Perfect Kerr-tastrophe

2012-01-24T23:03:00.000-08:00

It seems Wonder Woman’s bracelets are more than just indestructible. Apparently, they also have the power to increase the length of her arms to inhuman proportions. No doubt this comes in handy when feeling around for invisible airplanes.

Eeyugh! This graphic is simply too much everything – too long here, too straight there, two too-big boobs, and just way too smooth everywhere! The only thing left to wonder about is how anyone with too little skill lands such a sweet graphics job.

You can see the original on the Grazia Facebook page.

IMMATURI: Lending an Extra Hand

2012-01-23T19:07:00.000-08:00

Though embarrassed by his mutation as a child, Paolo Ivanovich Petrovsky grew up to appreciate the advantages of being the living embodiment of the term ‘Roman hands and Russian fingers.’

I’m thinking the GA couldn’t decide which hand placement looked better, left both layers visible, saved as a draft, and got fired before completion. Then the bean-counter supervisor gave it a quick glance and mistakenly determined it was ready. Either that or it was the product of a brief dabbling in graphic arts by Silvio Berlusconi.

Thanks Filippo!

Attica: Slip of the Tongue

2012-01-22T18:16:00.000-08:00

Whaddaya think you’re lookin’ at, human! I still get twice as much action as you!

We weren't really sure where to start with this cat as it almost doesn't seem real or maybe it was just assembled wrong. We believe they've done a little stretching on the cat's tongue or maybe it's some sort of strange cat food.

The original was found by Israpil. The PSD was produced by Attica a German cat food. You can check out our red image gallery to see the marked up version if you can't see the PSD.

Battle Royale: Look, Ma, No Hands!

2012-01-20T00:57:00.000-08:00

Not a PSD. The guy on the left is just using one of those nifty new Velcro® shotgun belts. They’re all the rage with Tea Party attendees of Presidential campaign speeches.

I know, I know. There’s no hand gripping the shotgun. What I can’t take my eyes off of, though, is what the girl is holding. Is it just me, or is anyone else imagining Billy Bob Thornton in a lacy skirt?

“I picked up a Kaiser blade that was a-layin’ there by the screen door -- some folks calls it a sling blade, I call it a Kaiser blade… French-fried ‘taters with mustard… mm-hm!”

Thanks Michael. You can see a larger version and the original on Amazon.

The Voice: Offensive Arms

2012-01-19T10:44:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when you hire graphic artists straight out of solitary confinement on a work-release program.

Big thanks to Meech for taking the photo and sending it into us.

Die Draufgänger: Inspect Filters, Replace Clutch.

2012-01-18T01:38:00.000-08:00

While stud Carl Berger kicks criminal ass with a one-two punch of deadly accurate Mauser rounds and super-sticky sweat glands, partner Markus Maiwald lulls evildoers into complacency by reciting Tolle quotes from Stillness Speaks while blinding them with his patented Buddha Aura®.

*Writer's note: I researched this TV show, and used the actual names of the characters in the series.

How sad. Even the Germans have been infected with formulaic American TV concepts. And even worse than the obvious layer issues between rope and hand, as well as the overly bright sun apparently going nova behind Markus, is the way these two have been hooked up in such close proximity to each other.

The image is an advert for a new TV series. The head line of the ad is "Echte Kerle braucht das Land" which means something like "Real man our country needs".

Thanks Stefan for the scanned image and the translation. Check out our red circle image to see the PSD.

H&M: Offensive Arms Buildup

2012-01-16T23:25:00.000-08:00

After enduring brutal torture by her captors including agonizing hours tied to a medieval ‘rack’ device, Mandy eventually gave up the codes. “I was trained to endure much worse,” said the beautiful spy, “but when they told me they had my son Brandon, all that training went right out the window.”

With some of these PSD’s, I love to imagine possible scenarios that led up to the final result. Like with this one, I imagine the GA intending to just tweak her arms with a tiny bit of stretching, and then amusing himself by yanking them out grotesquely, when suddenly he becomes inspired to join the Occupy movement and just saves and submits it ‘as is.’ Either that, or he had a one-night stand with the model in the graphic and just found out she gave him herpes. It could happen.

Thanks Kat. The original was found in the Toronto Eaton Center. If you can't spot the PSD, you an check out the marked up image in our gallery.

8 Political Photoshop Fails From 2011

2012-01-15T23:18:00.000-08:00

Over the last year the US and the UK has moved to ban the use of Photoshop within cosmetic adverts but looking over the disasters we've received in the last year the worst abuses of Photoshop has actually come from state run organizations.

Some of these disasters we’ve posted before, others we classed as Photoshop fails and decided to post them as a collection.

Three Levitating Chinese Government Officials

County mayor Li Ningyi and vice-mayor Tang Xiaobing are inspecting the newly constructed country road at Lihong Town.

Kremlin activists caught red-handed

Here we have a doctored photograph of Alexei Navalny to suggest he is being illicitly funded by a controversial anti-Kremlin oligarch. The actually photo that was taken is below. [read more]

North Korean Altered Procession

This photo was taken from the funeral of Kim Jong-il and as you can see the camera men were removed from the photo. [read more]

Philippines officials Photoshop themselves into typhoon cleanup photo

Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways officials were left red-faced after it was discovered they had Photoshopped three officials into a typhoon cleanup photo. [read more]

North Korean Flooding in Pyongyang

AP withdrew this photo after having doubts that it might have been digitally altered. (KCNA) [read more]

Manipulation of traffic on the "peripherique" Paris by Denis Baupin (Ex Minister)

The goal of the picture is to show the saturation of the traffic on the "peripherique" , the highway belt around Paris.[read more]

Canadian MP: Rathika Sitsabaiesan

I'm glad they moved to a PG version.

Tendering District Council: One Of Us One Of Us

Quiz: Britney: Super Slim Me?

2012-01-13T23:39:00.000-08:00

This week Britney was getting a bit of a hammering for the following image. Do you think that Britney went through some radical diet or is this the work of a Photoshop magician?

Try not to look at the comments before you cast your vote.

Grape Vine: Clear Headed

2012-01-12T23:38:00.000-08:00

As Beatrice approached the gleaming black limo waiting to carry her to her dream wedding, it suddenly occurred to her that she may have been a tad too liberal with the concealer.

What the hell?! Being that this is a real estate listing, and adding to that the very desperate, even crazy state the market is in these days, I can only speculate that this disaster is less the fault of the GA, and more due to some screwball broker desperate to make a deadline who was adamant over the rain gutters and red front door being the top features that give the property its curb appeal.

Thanks for the great find Chris.

JazzTel: Crisis At Hand

2012-01-11T23:29:00.000-08:00

Hello, Dr. Montoya? Yes, it’s Luisa. Listen, first of all, I want you to know how much I appreciate your working with my limited budget with regard to the hand reconstruction surgery. Having said that…

The fascinating thing about this disaster is trying to figure out how in the world it came to be in the first place. Did the GA accidentally delete a layer and have to build an entire hand from scratch? Was the GA laid up in bed with the flu the day her drawing class focused on hands? Is he a dyslexic Vulcan? The mystery continues…

Thanks Jose. You can see the original on the JazzTel site.

Desigual: Twin Tragedy

2012-01-10T23:41:00.000-08:00

Not a PSD. This is actually a production still from the upcoming Star Trek sequel, working title: Androids of Bikini Beach. As you can see, several ‘Oscars’ and ‘Alices’ are visible, and each wears an identifying amulet with name and series number. Fun cameo appearance by Amanda Seyfried, as well!

The Clone Stamp is one of my favorite tools. And when combined with Color Erase and some simple alterations to hair, makeup, wardrobe, and posing, it’s not difficult to make five or six models look like a crowd of fifty. However, let this disaster be a lesson to all about the inherent dangers of drinking and Photoshopping. More often than not, sloppy use of this tool will slip through the cracks of the review phase and written off to double vision caused by one too many CranBAMS.

Thanks Fabien. The original was found on the DocNews website. You can check out our red image gallery if you can't see the marked up version.

Cote Maison: Digital Dyslexia

2012-01-09T22:19:00.000-08:00

After the government closed down the secret program which trained chimpanzees to fly military missions, Dr. Michel Coupe was tasked with finding new and profitable ways to exploit the enhanced intelligence of his ‘uber-monkeys.’

Even Forrest Gump could have figured out how this was supposed to look by simply writing '2012' on a sheet of paper and holding it against a mirror! How is it that someone this incompetent at Photoshop can land a decent-paying job in France, yet I’m forced to write sarcastic captions ridiculing that very same incompetence for practically nothing?! It’s a mad house! A MAD HOUSE!! Soylent Green is people! Climb, baby, climb!

Sorry. I guess I just miss Chuck Heston today. Finding my happy place now…

Thanks Manon! Don't forget to join us on Google Plus.

Tchibo: Models Wanted. No Flatties.

2012-01-08T23:49:00.000-08:00

Look. When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at the roller rink doing the Hokey Pokey. I know me some Hokey Pokey, and trust me, this is not the Hokey Pokey. This is not what it’s all about!

When applying for a position as a graphics artist, it’s important to highlight those skills at which one is most proficient. Otto’s resume featured his previous position at a catalog publisher, where he worked primarily with text, before moving on to become an apprentice animator for TV’s South Park, where he somehow got it burned into his brain that the First Commandment of Graphics is: Thou Shalt Apply Drop Shadow to All Layers.

Beyond that, Otto is just an average guy who puts his pants on one leg at a… er… oh, my.

Thanks Anna. You can see the original on the Tchibo site.

We just recently joined Google Plus and would love to connect with as many of you as possible.

La Redoute: The Naked Truth

2012-01-07T00:22:00.000-08:00

I don’t think the French will be looking to ban Photoshop any time soon.

Normally we wouldn't post this to the site given that we wouldn't class this as a Photoshop Disaster but we did receive this a ton and we did find it very funny.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in. The original has been taken down but you can read a little more about it here.

Cerritos Tequilaus: All Washed Up

2012-01-05T23:48:00.000-08:00

Stumpy the Mermaid was quite disappointed to find that her disability merely translated into a human one after crawling out of the sea.

Having lived most of my life near a beach, I suppose I cannot relate to the obstacles that those who live far inland face every day when they decide to compose media which takes place at the ocean. Whereas I would simply hire a gorgeous bikini model and then cart her down to the shore, dig a 3-foot hole in the sand, bury her, and start shooting, art directors who live in, say, Irkutsk, Russia, cannot afford that sort of travel and time expense, and are therefore forced to use software like Photoshop in an attempt to simulate their erotic visions of tropical seaside goodness. Still, that does not explain why these same art directors insist on hiring Gyorgi the village idiot to be their graphic artist. I’m guessing it might have something to do with there not yet being in existence a decent translation of the Quickstart Guide from English to Cyrillic. Oh, well.

Thanks Dan. You can see the original on the Cerritos Tequilaus site. You can check out our red circled image in our gallery to see the marked up version.

Shop Divine: Ribs On The Side

2012-01-04T23:01:00.000-08:00

Even Mother Nature recognizes that certain women are simply too beautiful to be expected to get by with only two breasts.

Obviously, this is supposed to be the protruding bottom of the girl’s ribcage, but it looks way too far over to her left to give a natural appearance, causing viewers to speculate over all manner of explanations ranging from uncontrolled tumor to early signs of possession by Manitou. The inside curve alone would place her sternum closer to her armpit than the center of her chest. But she’s gorgeous, so we men couldn’t care less. Whatever she’s selling, I’m buying!

Thanks Ryan. You can see the original on the Shop Divine site. You can check out our marked up red circled image if the you can't see the PSD.

89 Centre: Saddle Baggage

2012-01-03T23:14:00.000-08:00

Zorklo’s chosen cover for his Earth assignment as a graphics artist was a challenge indeed, especially considering his home planet lacked any visible light whatsoever.

So much disaster; so little time! I so loved how the thighs of this beautiful woman have been given extra pouches of fat by the GA, that I almost didn’t notice the even-worse application of ‘boxy’ shadows beneath her right calf, right arm, and that delightful sweep of inky goodness beneath her chin I can only liken to something once sported by Rameses IV.

Big thanks to Bo. The original was an advertisement for a fitness center called fitnessworld.

Top 10 Photoshop Disasters of 2011

2012-01-01T15:33:00.000-08:00

Time to pause and look back at some of the worst disasters of the year that had celebrities losing limbs, models who were more mutant like and animals that often ended up feeling the full wrath of the art department.

Thanks everyone for your submissions over the last year and we wish everyone a Happy New Year!

1. Victoria's Secret: With or Without it?

One arm is definitely better than none!

2. Totsy Baltex: Somebody Stop The Screaming

They say the best way for women to fend off attackers is with her elbows, I don’t think this model has anything to ever worry about.

3. Beachmall: Full Face Transplant

The models for Beachmall are so stunningly beautiful that they have watermarked the images (repeatedly) so that no-one will steal them.

4. Jennifer Aniston: Anistorted Yogalosophy

Not a PSD. Jennifer has been cast in the next X-Men film as “Spanx Doll,” an aging-but-still-attractive mutant with the inherent ability to move excess fat tissue to any other part of her body at will.

5. Industry Week: Smiling is my favorite exercise

This reminds me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when Violet blows up into a giant blueberry after consuming an experimental piece of chewing gum.

6. Pop Up Pet Crates: Doggone!

A half pet is better than no pet at all... no wait!

7. Keith Urban: Loving Parts of You

Don't go, don't go

Just leave your arm behind

For me to snuggle

While I'm without you

And I will never surrender - your arm...

8. Two and a Half Men: Gone But Not Forgotten

Charlie has not gone - that's him drunk on the floor pointing up at his replacement..

9. HTC Windows Phone: Business Casualty

Hey, Princess, check this out – watch what happens to Daddy’s hand when I stick my arm outside the airlock!

10. Golden Acrylics: Shopping Crimes

Stock image - $2.50
PS "artist" - $10.00
Branding impression of a lifetime - Priceless!

Aldi: Basket Case

2011-12-29T01:00:00.000-08:00

Young Brittany was delighted to learn that, unlike the rest of her silly brothers and sisters, she was no longer just an ordinary muggle.

Thanks Lisa. You can see the original on the Aldi site.

BikeTart: Disaster At Hand

2011-12-27T17:31:00.000-08:00

The design of Pugsley’s new bike didn’t allow for placement of a kickstand, so Fester suggested he take Thing along as a workaround.

Thanks John. You can see the original on the BikeTart Facebook page. It's amazing how often Thing has showed up on PSD this year or maybe this photo would have looked more ridiculous if the hand wasn't Photoshopped out?

Cat Litter: I Beg Your Paw Down

2011-12-26T15:37:00.000-08:00

Getting past the initial shock of having his forepaw literally fall off of his body while doing his business, Seymour buried it unceremoniously with litter and stepped out of the box, confident that neither human nor dog were any the wiser.

Thanks Teo. You can see the original on Amazon. Don't be put off by the 3 legged cat we've been told that it works for cats with 4 legs as well.

Runner's World: She-shanks

2011-12-24T00:14:00.000-08:00

GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Bad news, Chief. Women’s Running Magazine just hit the stands, and they’re using the exact same cover model!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Oh, my God! We don’t have time to cast and shoot a replacement! We go to print in under two hours! What will we do?! Suddenly, Garrett, the incredibly handsome war amputee just hired by the mail room, rolled off of the elevator, generating a collective sigh from every woman on the floor… and the rest, as they say, is history.

Thanks Gina for the photo. The original can be found in a Tesco store. If you can't see the PSD, you can check out our red circle image.