Body shaming – it wouldn’t be a British summer without it. It’s that time of year when you can’t move for media images of famous people, generally women, in their swimwear, prompting inevitable public commentary. Is she wearing a bikini? At her age? At that weight? Shouldn’t she be in a one-piece? Isn’t it all a bit undignified? On and on it goes. There are vested interests in making those near-naked bodies feel as if they’re your business.

In these scenarios, the paparazzi’s cameras aren’t interested in sexualising their female quarry. Evidently, the brief is to make them look frumpy, out of shape, and past it. Especially if they’re in a skimpy bikini, and they have the audacity to be north of 40, over a size eight, or simply happy in their own skin.

Then the long lenses come out with a vengeance. Scanning stomachs for signs of droop. Zooming in on buttocks to catch high-definition sag. If imperfections aren’t there, make it look as if they are. (The right angle can make a nymph resemble a Minotaur.) Great if they’re on a yacht, looking rich (as ever, part of this is Them & Us bingo). Best of all, if they’re clad in a bikini, completely oblivious to the cameras. Bending over to lay towels. Twisting to apply sun lotion. Heaving themselves clumsily out of the water. Slumping without a thought for stomach rolls. Basically, a million miles away from red carpet perfection. These are the money shots. The photos people really want to see.........

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