Distortion of Photography Destruction

Sammy Hamilton
sh548815@ohio.edu

Distortion of photography is becoming a bigger problem than it’s ever been. There have been many cases in the media world where photographers or freelancers have gotten backlash from the pictures they are manipulating and publishing. 

I had not understood the reality and the huge threat to photojournalism credibility until researching more about it. "The public is losing faith in us. Without credibility, we have nothing; we cannot survive," says John Long, chairman of the ethics and standards committee of the National Press Photographers Association.” Was posted in an article by an AJR writer. (AJR) 

This is becoming more of an issue than we can even understand. It is even apparent in known publications. “Among the dozens he highlights are Time and Newsweek covers, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photo, images in the Charlotte Observer and Newsday, and a famous portrait of Abraham Lincoln that was discovered to be less than accurate” (AJR).

I think that the manipulation of photography goes even further in destruction in society in other ways such as body image for women. Not only is image manipulation an issue for newspapers but also for magazines. Mostly every picture you see in a magazine is photoshopped in some way. There is no truth behind the photo anymore. A huge topic over the past couple years has been the way women view there. Body image.

Looking at a magazine of women in bikinis they are looking skinnier than the average women. Thus, making women more self-conscious about their bodies and the pictures coming off very unrealistic. There are specific ways and examples of how even famous actresses have been affected by magazine distortions in this link below. 

Image courtesy: Instagram Protest Petition 

People are starting to notice everywhere and realize what our society is looking at in these pictures. Many celebrities have spoken out even Kate Winslet and Brad Pitt. The American Medical Association (AMA) even took a stance in supporting them. They also felt that pictures looking very unrealistic could cause issues like eating disorders. Yet, still the photographers are still standing up for their art of pictures that they are editing. I think that this issue will keep arising if people don’t start speaking up.