How did people photoshop pictures back then?

[PrettyDeformed]

There is no way skin this smooth is real

 

[try2beme]

It’s certainly possible u just have dogshit skin

 

[bourgeoizyzz]

didn't they use an air brush?

 

[Orc]

all photoshop does in most cases is emulate make-up and better lighting, back in the day they just made up for it with the real deal.

for example you rarely see nasolabial folds on models, but almost every single person has them, because they're easily hidden with some light make up or frontal lighting, you can only really tell they're there if light hits your cheeks at an angle.