Ethics of photomanipulation

imagemaker46 · Jun 20, 2012

If the original image created is not changed it is not true photo manipulation. If words are added it can be used to tell many stories.

A photo of a cute dog sitting on the sidewalk, is simply a photo of a dog sitting on a sidewalk, but if someone adds, "This cute dog went on a killing rampage" or "this cute dog is about to pee on a tree" Same dog, same picture, it hasn't been changed, only a different set of words.

IByte · Jun 20, 2012

imagemaker46 said:
If the original image created is not changed it is not true photo manipulation. If words are added it can be used to tell many stories.

A photo of a cute dog sitting on the sidewalk, is simply a photo of a dog sitting on a sidewalk, but if someone adds, "This cute dog went on a killing rampage" or "this cute dog is about to pee on a tree" Same dog, same picture, it hasn't been changed, only a different set of words.

Like many avatars on any forum

DiskoJoe · Jun 20, 2012

DBZFYAM said:
Hey everyone,

I am currently doing some research about photomanipulations and if/when it is ethical to do so for a project for school. I stumbled across this forum and think I might get some valuable feedback here as it seems there are a lot of knowledgable people on this forum. I would really appreciate it if some of you could fill out my survey to help me with my research and maybe point me in a direction I haven't looked at yet or give me some feedback (in the replies below).

The link to the survey: SURVEY: Ethics of photomanipulations

Thanks you all very much in advance. It's much appreciated!

Greetings,
Stefan

Thanks spambot!

DBZFYAM · Jun 20, 2012

Personally I agree with LizardKing and Solarflare (and of course a few others saying the same). As long as it is just for artistic purpose and you don't pass it off as real anything can be done to it really. But on the other hand, basically any image is already manipulated indeed. Even if it's just the exposure (making it appear darker than it is on purpose or not). Haven't thought about textual manipulation by the way (not changing the photo, but changing the meaning through text). Could be a nice one for a followup. After comparing my Dutch questions for the survey to the ones I translated in English and some feedback I got, I found out some of the question could be a lot clearer and more complete. Think I might create a new and better survey to get a clearer picture. If some of you have suggestions for me swell I would love to hear them. Thank you all for the help and comments!

northierthanthou · Jun 21, 2012

Interesting discussion. I can't say that i have anything to add, but I'd like to thank the folks who have weighed in on the issue.

Garbz · Jun 22, 2012

Is it manipulation to take a photo in a way that omits details too? You can be completely unethical yet represent a 100% faithful reproduction of what you see at the time. Wartime conflict photos are a perfect example of this.

Ysarex · Jun 22, 2012

Garbz said:
Is it manipulation to take a photo in a way that omits details too? You can be completely unethical yet represent a 100% faithful reproduction of what you see at the time. Wartime conflict photos are a perfect example of this.

Yep, nothing more bias free than the news brought back by the "embedded" reporters traveling with the troops. No need to "shop" those photos.

Joe

Steve5D · Jun 22, 2012

I think there's a difference between photo "editing" and photo "manipulation". Each is like porn. I can't define it, but I know it when I see it.

For me, something like putting a moon over a skyline (common here in San Diego) is a pretty clear example of "manipulation". HDR is, to me, "manipulation". Adjusting the brightness and contrast is more "editing". Cloning out dust, say, in a macro shot, is "editing".

I think there's a point where something stops being a "photograph" (which is made with a camera) and becomes a "picture" (which can be made any number of ways)...

c.cloudwalker · Jun 22, 2012

Hooligan Dan said:
Very simple answer. If the photos are of a journalistic nature and are meant to reflect reality then any manipulation that changes the reality of the capture is unethical. Pretty much everything else is game. There are gray areas, but that's the simple answer.

+1

The rest is all BS. Darkroom? I'm sorry but given a bit of time I can do as much in the darkroom as people do in PS.