Picture-perfect altered reality

A growing number of Chinese are using photo-editing apps to modify their photos and curate their images. Deng Zhangyu reports.

The photos were taken. But they weren't ready. Far from it.

Ye Qian and her friends had snapped shots of a group gathering. Then, they dropped their heads over their phones, backs hunched as they operated editing apps to ensure everyone's image was perfectly polished before posting them online.