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Brian McInnis
Member since June 29, 2010

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Through The Lens - By Brian McInnis Blog

THE ETHICS OF SNOWFLAKES

With the emergence of Photoshop and other digital photo editing programs there has been a lot of disucssions lately on the ethics of photojournalists and if the photos we are seeing in newspapers (The Guardian included), magazines and many other publications are in any way altered to make them appear more dramatic to remove unwanted objects from the image or to add something to the image. A Reuters New Agency freelance photographer last year altered a photo that got by the editors and it was distributed around the world. The photographer's breach of ethics prompted the agency to revamp its policy in regards to photos and many newspapers and news organizations have policies that any photographer or editor caught altering photos will be fired. Most photographers and editors agree that the only work that should be done on a photo is what would have been done in the days of a so-called wet darkroom where film was developed and prints made. That work would include cropping, cleaning dust off negatives, dodging or burning and enlarger exposure control in making the final print. Posted here are two photos. The top one is the original and the bottom has been altered to remove snowflakes. What do you think? Is this a big breach or would you let this go because it is not such a big deal and who would know anyway. What is the problem with taking a few small white flakes out of a photo. In the old days it would be major work, but with Photshop there is no problem. THE ALTERED PHOTO

Comments

  • Username
    Andrew
    - June 29, 2010 at 08:51:11

    When it comes to taking photographs that are used in media, I think its important to only work the photo as they were worked in the old darkrooms. A photograph is a moment in time that should be as real as the moment it was taken. I think that if anything is omitted or added, the photograph is then telling a lie. If the doctored photo is published, there should be a caption saying so below it. If I was to pick up a newspaper and see something like 'doctored photo' written below it, I wouldn't appreciate the photo as much. I wouldn't trust it as well. But at least I would know the difference. With that being said, I think the idea of doctoring a photo and saying so below it cancel each other out... so to me its out of the question.
    I agree with the rules that most newspapers have. I think it should stay as strict as it is... right down to snowflakes so there are no grey areas.
    I imagine that you feel the same way, and I think its easier to be proud of the work you do when you know nothing has to be added or omitted.
    Keep up the great photos Brian, I enjoy them every time I pick up the paper!
    Oh by the way, I do think the snowflakes are distracting in almost any photo. The bottom one looks better, but the top one is telling the truth!

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