Readings 7: The Truth or Fiction – Digital Photography

Photoshop and Photography: When Is It Real?

As I answer this blog, the reader needs to keep in mind that I am a hopeful Graphic Designer, which will probably use Photoshop quite often in my career. I will try not to be biased. As a student reading this article, as opposed to someone who is already in the workplace and dealing with real life, I feel there is room for both photography and Photoshop. A photographer does set up his or her picture, and does some manipulating, but not as sophisticated as Photoshop after the fact; both manipulate reality to some degree. Since both are considered different genres, I think there should be two separate awards next year; it’s not fair to compare apples to oranges. I also think there is room and opportunity in this world for both. Some spontaneous pictures taken in nature can never be replaced by Photoshop. Do you believe photography and Photoshop contradict each other or complement each other? Do you believe that this discussion hurts or helps the fields of photography and Photoshop?

Blame Photoshop, Not Diabetes, for This Amputation

Hooray for Bob Garfield of NPR! His opinion was right on target. It was silly that they chose to Photoshop an actor, but we should not loose sleep over this. The statistics are correct, people are loosing limbs due to diabetes, and we are taking in way too much sugar as a society. Are we going to look at every advertisement we see, and question whether it is a paid actor or not? That is going overboard; it is the message that is important. Sometimes, we need to be creative to get it across, and as long as it is an accurate message, then we shouldn’t worry about it. I do feel, however, that this could of been avoided by finding someone with an amputated leg. Does that mean that he would have to wear shorts to prove it, or could he wear pants and his prosthetic? Obviously, the soda companies were looking for any way to hurt the campaign, when they are really hurting all of us. Do you believe that this photoshopping is an issue in this case, or is it a distraction from the main point? Does the  fact that the picture is photoshopped makes the problem less real? 

Smile and Say ‘No Photoshop’

So, today it seems to be more fashionable not to photo finish, and keep things real. I think that this will go back and forth with time and subject matter. I am totally against making girls or women even skinnier than they are because of the health ramifications, and eating disorders that can be exacerbated. I do not think that it really matters in other cases, as long as no one is hurt by it. We are talking about ad campaigns, and so what if a nose or someone’s skin is tweaked to look better. Is society dictating to the media what we want to see, reality or truth vs. touchups, or is the media dictating to the society how we should look? I think that today, it is a little bit of both. So, depending on the readership and the subject matter, we will probably continue to see both, and the extremes of both. I do believe that magazines, or any other source, needs to get permission from the person being photoshopped; it should never be a surprise to them. I can’t help but wonder how I would feel if something as beautiful and not perfect, like the portrait of Mona Lisa, would be photoshopped and uploaded; I would be horrified. Do you think that there should be limits to what can be photo finished? Do you believe that this topic will continue to go back and forth in time, as society keeps changing its mind on how it feels about photo finishing? 

I Was There. Just Ask Photoshop

Wow! My first response to this article is, as long as it is your picture and your property, you can do anything you want with it. There are definitely a few pictures that I wouldn’t mind changing around, but I am not sure how I would feel about that in 50 years. I think that I would want to remember things precisely as they occurred, with all the imperfections. This would include people that might bring up all types of memories, and not all good. However, I have it in my right to change my own pictures as I see fit. What is scary is how this technology could help some people change history. There are history textbooks that have removed pictures of the Civil War, specifically slavery, as well as atrocities done to the Native Americans. We cannot allow history to be changed with the use of this technology. The leaders of Iran have convinced their population that the Holocaust never occurred, and have erased all pictures and proof from their citizens. So, there is a line between us creating our own realities for personal use, and the dangers of creating realities for political and social use. This is a bit too Orwellian for me. Do you believe this could find its way for other than personal uses, and can that be prevented? Generally speaking, do you approve of this idea of changing realities, and its ramifications? Does it make you comfortable or uncomfortable? Personally, it makes me feel uncomfortable. 

No Boo-boos or Cowlicks? Only in School Pictures

Michael made the right choice; a picture without his birthmark on his forehead is not him. He realized that his whole self included his imperfections, or what is perceived as imperfections. I had an opportunity to photo finish my high school senior picture, as I was sunburned. I allowed the company to slightly photo finish it, as the sunburn was not my usual self. I am happy that I allowed them to do it. However, I would never consider changing my eye color, or anything that changes my appearance. Do you believe that five-year- olds are old enough to make a decision about photo finishing? Do you believe that Dr. Peterson is right, and we need to encourage accepting for who we are, and how we really look? Do you think that if Dr. Peterson was a plastic surgeon, as opposed to a psychiatrist, we would hear the same opinion for him?