Computer Manipulation of Photographs and Peoples Trust - Essay Example

Computer Manipulation of Photographs and People’s Trust Photography cannot be regarded as a new form of technology but since its advent, there are many transformations in its procedures. Photographs are considered as copies of original existence of people, things and places (Goldberg 1991). However, with the passage of time and with the technologies introduced concerning computer manipulation of photographs, photographs can no more be concerned as true evidence of some originality. With the help of computing technology, we have benefited to a great extent but as far as computer manipulation of photographs is concerned, it can be regarded as hiding reality and showing falsehood. With computer technology, photographs can be captured, stored and edited (Brand, et.al 1985). Computer manipulation of photographs is done for various reasons such as for making someone to look more attractive, for removing people from the scene, for adding someone, for retouching, for exposing and for hiding reality. Photographs are taken for identification of events, people, things and many other aspects (Goldberg 1991). Photographs are also thought to be a source of evidence for various purposes. With computer manipulation and editing of photographs for personal reasons, photography is not more considered as an evidence for reality. It is considered fake and somewhat containing lies (Brand, et.al 1985). With digital photography, the art of photo manipulation has become more easy and uncomplicated. The photographs that are captured digitally are stored in computer in form of digital data (Brand, et.al 1985). This digital data can easily be edited and manipulated intentionally or unintentionally. In the market, there are various software programs available that offer the computerized manipulation of photographs. The computer manipulation of photographs is not considered illegal and people, media and other institutions employ the software programs for manipulating images according to their own requirements without any legal threat. We can take many examples of photographs as evidence. For a passport or identity card, photographs are required. Passports or identity cards are used for identifying a person with the help of his given photograph and concerning details. If the photograph is manipulated technologically with the help of computer, it will give an edited version of the real person, which cannot be considered as wholly true. Passport or identity cards are source of evidence of a person’s real identification but if, the photographs attached with the identification cards are manipulated, no trust will be there. Before computer manipulation, trust in photographs as a form of evidence was there but after, technological development and launch of different software programs related to computer manipulation, people are being led towards distrusting the evidence of photographs (Goldberg 1991). People have not started editing photographs with computer technology. It is quite an old task, as in history many examples can be seen about edited photographs such as the photographs of World War 2 with heightened War images, Journalism photography and much more. However, nowadays when computer technology and photograph manipulation software programs are so common, maintenance of trust in photographs as evidence is not possible. Photographs are considered as a form of evidence when they are relevant and authentic. The accuracy and precision of a photograph is essential to prove it as a source of evidence (Goldberg 1991). Because of computer manipulation of photographs, the authenticity and accuracy of photographs can be challenged due to which, photographs is not trusted evidence anymore. The historic forms of photographic manipulations were not distrusted and were also considered truthful because the art of photographic manipulation was not common but with today’s technology and software development, when everyone can see that photographs can be manipulated as one likes, the photographs are becoming more doubtful and untrustworthy. With digital photography, the task of photographic manipulation is much more easier and cost effective (Goldberg 1991). Also with computer manipulation, the identification of manipulation is quite difficult. Digital photography can be considered as a reason for making the photographs more distrusted because manipulation is quite cheap, easier and unidentifiable. Due to digital photography, the validity of photograph as a source of evidence is further compromised (Brand, et.al 1985). Now, photographs cannot be considered a truthful representations of reality but manipulated or amended reality that can also be considered as falsehood or concealment. In today’s world, photographs cannot be presented as a source of evidence in courts because they have lost their authenticity. In addition, photographs are challenged in order to judge their authenticity because of the increasing attention towards computer manipulation of photographs. Nowadays, with the help of computer manipulation software programs, anyone can amend photographs as desired and can present it according to his own intention. Digital photography, computer technology and other innovations are development are very significant in terms of advancements of the world but they also pose threat to various aspects. With digital upgrade of photographic technology, the art of computer manipulation of photographs is much more common and photographs can be amended as one intends (Brand, et.al 1985). The images can be changed whether they are only retouched or wholly transformed. Whatever is done is on photographs, it conceals the originality and reality of photographs and due to this concealment, the photographs will lose their trust as a form of evidence. They will be considered doubtful and unauthentic because of the tag of computer manipulation and software programs. Photographs are no more trusted evidence as a source of reality. Previously, they were considered an authentic form of evidence but now, when computer manipulation of photographs is so common, their authenticity and truth is doubtful. Works Cited Goldberg, Vicki. The Power of Photography. New York: Abbeville, 1991. Brand, Stewart and et. al. Digital Retouching: the End of Photography as Evidence of Anything. Whole Earth Review, 1985. 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