Truth and Credibility - course work

research using web resources

The first aim of photography in the 19^th century was the truthful and accurate documentation; the emphasis was on taking photos and using them as mirrors of the world, unchanged, presented straight from the photographic device. On the contrary, as early as in 1857 Oscar Gustav Rejlander’s large scale image, ‘The Two Way of Life’, concocted out of over thirty negatives, divided the audience about photography as realistic medium. However debated since then, making, altering, enhancing photographs have been a way photojournalism, advertisement and art used the medium.

“We are being bombarded from all sides, from movies, television, advertisements, the Internet, with images that are not real, that are created in computers and documentary photojournalism is the victim.

Real photos can change the hearts and minds of the people. Real photographs can change how we view war and how we view or society.”

Long, J, NPPA. Ethics in the Age of Digital Photography

http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/self-training_resources/eadp_report/eadptxt.html

accessed on 2 March 2012

These are the words of John Long, Ethics Co-Chair and Past President of the National Press Photographers Association, USA.  In his report, ‘Ethics in the Age of Digital Photography’ he writes about recognised issues that concern, and ought to concern every responsible documentary photojournalist. Alongside many examples on how photo manipulation of published images is used and aiming to influence the public’s view, or simply targeting to sell more copies, he mentions the case of O. J. Simpson. 

The time when O. J. Simpson was arrested, the Time magazine used a version of his mug shot on their cover. In the very same time, another magazine, Newsweek used the same shot on their cover but in the form as they received it from the police.  

Time magazine altered the photo, darkened the corners and changed the brightness in different parts in order to achieve a more sinister look. The final image, and the way it was represented, suggested that O. J. Simpson is guilty. This matter caused outrage at the time and not only on one base but raising ethical, moral and legal questions.

They did not physically add to or took away anything from the original photo, but in fact, simply darkening the image added and took away from it and damaged the magazine, and once again, modern journalism’s credibility. “In other words, they changed the photo from what it was (a document) into what they wanted it to be.” 

Long, J, NPPA. Ethics in the Age of Digital Photography

http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/self-training_resources/eadp_report/eadptxt.html

accessed on 2 March 2012

While, as seen, on one hand enhanced photographs are used for displaying negative assumptions, on the other hand advertisement agencies and fashion photographers are heavily relying on photography retouching services and their limitless options for creating unreal figures, faces and looks.This is a major worldwide issue, and it should be regulated more strictly. I am wondering how we’ve got here, where everyone knows that these airbrushed images are lies, still we let ourselves to be influenced by them daily. These photos make us buy more and spend more money on products that are advertised by Photoshopped models and celebrities. We try to copy styles that have been carefully created by team of stylists and we admire altered photographs that are published in magazines and show us unrealistic images of singers, actresses, politicians and our idols from various fields.

Is there any difference in the level of responsibility between the fashion and celebrity magazines when publishing fake images and those reputable and well established magazines and newspapers where many times the editorial decisions dictate the composed images and, as many times it's been revealed, they are not documenting the truth but intend to manipulate and influence the public?