Photoshop or Photostop?

Gabby Piwowar 

gp566220@ohio.edu

 

 

The Power of Images

As humans we are hard wired to perceive images and associate them with an emotion or idea. We formulate conceptions within the first seconds of seeing an image. This natural human process allows images to be a powerful tool for good or bad intentions. 

With apps like Instagram or TikTok it is easy to throw a filter on an image or video and call it a day. Photomanipulation reaches far beyond the social media apps. But when does this image enhancing stop? When has it gone too far? 

Picture source: 22 Words

 

Photograph Manipulation

World Press Photo held a photo contest and listed several things that can count as manipulation in photography. Staging or re-enacting events is a type of manipulation where journalists or  photographers alter or intentionally contribute to the scene. This creates a false image and goes against key elements of the ethical code in journalism. 

The second thing that is considered manipulation is removing content from the image. Adding or subtracting things such as physical marks on the body, reflected light spots, shadows, or any items in the border that could not be removed with cropping. 

Lastly, it is not acceptable to add things to a photo. This includes highlights, body enhancing, or sizing, painting in detail, montages, or replication of material around the borer to make a clean crop possible.

 

Picture source: Web Savvy

 

Social Media Influence

Photomanipulation is currently at it's pinnacle in use and it is more easily accessible than ever. Anytime you open snapchat or Instagram you could essentially have a new face. This misperception of self may create a negative self-image and create misleading beauty standards. 

Grad student Amy Niu started research aimed towards college aged women to detect if filters negatively impacted their self-image. Her theory says "that when comparing yourself to others, people are more likely to compare themselves to someone who is better looking and this will negatively impact our self-evaluation." Niu concluded that there is a slight increase in willingness to commit to plastic surgery after influence from social media filters. 

Make it Stop 

Fake news and inaccurate representations have spread like wildfire recently. Media and journalism seem to have taken a "the wilder the better" approach to stories and truly has attracted more attention. This spread of fake news and false images has only created a more hostile and volatile environment online and in the real world. The inability to sift through the copious amounts of information leaves audiences overwhelmed and typically still uninformed. 

Journalists have a duty to inform the public and create a trustworthy and honest relationship. That relationship will not be achieved through editing and falsifying information.