In the media production and design and time-based media courses, the first assignment entailed either altering a single photograph and changing its context or create a triptych where tools in Photoshop may be used to connect the three images.

As you can probably imagine, Photoshop is a great tool for the creation and alteration of images but there are also ethical considerations when the content involves reality, such as a war, and perceptions of that reality are forever changed in the minds of one's audience who may not know the image has been altered at all.

Here are two examples:

Katie Couric has lost a few quick pounds instantly with the help of Photoshop (you'd think someone would notice when she was on TV that week looking heavier that the jig was up!). This altered photo appeared in a promotional magazine for CBS.



Image courtesy of the NY Times (be sure to check out their article, Ease of Alteration Creates Woes for Picture Editors, registration required). The first 2 images were taken by Photojournalist Brian Walski for the LA Times while he was in Iraq. The last image was the composite he made using the two images.


There are certainly many more examples than this. Our entire celebrity culture is based on creating perfection. Is there something to gain in this ability to edit and alter images or is it appearing to be lose-lose? What is your thinking on this, know that you have a better understanding of Photoshop?

Also check out this Dove video, to further the discussion of ethics involved in alteration and our concept of beauty: