Photo Retouch

Photo retouch or photo manipulation ? What’s the difference? –Photo retouch generally means changing the image to remove or repair damage or unwanted blemishes or objects. –Photo manipulation means to change the photo with the intent of altering its message or meaning.

The earliest “photo-manipulations” meant that people actually had to move items around to create different photographic compositions. This Matthew Brady Civil War photograph was created by supposedly moving a dead body into the snipers nest for the photo (pretty unsanitary work).

However it wasn’t long before people were cutting and pasting heads around, meaning photo manipulation has been around literally since the photograph was invented.

In one of the earliest journalistic examples of photo retouch we see the Kent State shootings. Notice the pole sticking out of the girls head? Obvious signs of airbrushing are seen.

Here, in this early example of photo manipulation (from Soviet Russia), a human being is entirely erased from history (or attempt to erase the person by removing him from all official photos and news).

With the click of the mouse, Photoshop allows you to take this… and turn it into this (and with the single click of the mouse is no exaggeration).

Ethics – what is acceptable? Webster University Journal’s Policy for the Ethical Use of Photographs Generally Allowed: Brightness/contrast control Burning & dodging to control tonal range Color correction Cropping a frame to fit the layout Retouching of dust & scratches Never Allowed: Adding, moving, or removing objects within the frame Color change other than to restore what the subject looked like Cropping a frame in order to alter its meaning Flopping a photograph (left/right reversal) Printing a photograph in other than "true" orientation

One of the earliest attempts at computer manipulation which caused much outcry because of the ease with which it was accomplished with PhotoShop (and it essentially broke the commonly accepted code of ethics and yet was published by Sports Illustrated). Such changes are generally accepted for fine art photography. What’s the difference between photography for arts sake and photography to report the news?

Another example of journalistic manipulation of the image to change its “message”.

“Nothing we did here goes beyond the industry standard”…

Is this misleading?

Think back to how much work and trouble it was for Matthew Brady create the altered Civil War photo (and how disgusting it must have been). Now its as easy as…

This photographer was discovered and fired – but for each photographer whose digital manipulation is discovered, countless “photo-journalists” get away with it.

To that end, photographers don’t even need to alter their images to play with your heads or “alter” the news. What mood does the photo above seem to suggest?

What if you knew that this photograph was of the same crowd, shot by a photographer in one of the tanks just up the road? What is your interpretation of the scene now?

Manipulating media means being aware of ethics and making sound moral choices about your message. Consuming information from today’s media market means being literate in, and understanding how all these factors can influence the message being given to you. Things like point of view (POV), camera and photographer location, lighting, angle, perspective and lens distortion as well as cropping can all have as much impact on the “message” as the choice of subject matter can.

The National Press Photographers Association, or NPPA, has in its members’ guidelines a strict code of ethics on photo manipulation. One section states that:strict code of ethics Photojournalists and those who manage visual news productions are accountable for upholding the following standards: 1. Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects. 2. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities. 3. Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one's own biases in the work. 4. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see. 5. While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events. 6. Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects. 7. Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation. 8. Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage. 9. Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

Dove Soap The Evolution of Beauty… 6NuPghttp:// 6NuPg Try the quiz… ef07/t5.aspx?id=7380http:// ef07/t5.aspx?id=7380

Your assignment… You will be repairing damage to a photograph (retouching) by using the following tools… –Blur –Healing brush –Rubber stamp –Patch tool and cut and paste –Red eye tool –Blur, sharpen and smudge tools –Sponge tool You will be manipulating a photograph in the corresponding “cartoon you” homework assignment using many of the same tools and techniques.

THE END ?