May 14, 2008
Digital manipulation
The problem of digital manipulation is a tricky one. Like Kittross said, photographers have always been able to choose angles and lighting to paint a certain picture. The same is true of writers or broadcasters or anyone else in any medium. I like the idea of teaching consumers to be critical of everything they see - not to the point of being too skeptical, but understanding the process of photography and knowing what you can trust.
Of course there's no guideline for "what you can trust." Even before we had digital tools, there were ways to alter photos. I do think there is a place for these tools in the media - even the news media. They just have to be used as truthfully as possible. Even adding in a cutline, for example, how the image was altered to make someone's face clearer or to burn two images to show a panorama. Just as long as consumers are not being deceived, I don't have a problem with it.
The key lies in determining what is being done for the good of consumers in the name of truth. I can't imagine a specific guideline to put in place. The only thing would be to keep in mind basic ethical principles on a case-by-case basis.
Posted by herzog at May 14, 2008 11:03 AM