Doctoring photos for media use has become a common practice among news companies and political groups. Taking pictures and changing the content or altering small sections of the picture causes a multitude of legal issues as well as controversy among viewers and law makers. But why does the media alter these pictures? Many photographers or story writers distort the true captured pictures in order to create a false representation of the event or wish to over emphasize certain aspects of the story.
I chose the image of a British soldier in Basra, motioning for Iraqi citizens to take cover during a military conflict in the early days of American and British invasion of Iraq. I decided to choose this photograph and discuss it because images like this have been altered and distorted throughout the war in Iraq in order to improve the image of American involvement in Iraq and instill a negative reaction to the opposition of U.S engagement. Citizens of the U.S should be rightfully informed of the happenings in the war because families and friends of our troops pray every day that their loved ones make it home safe. This picture (pictures) was taken by a Dartmouth College student, Hany Farid and was printed by the Los Angeles Times. The thirty year veteran writer of the story combined two pictures of the war scene in order to "improve" its message by creating a horrifying image of innocent civilians in danger. The image portrays a heavily armed soldier surrounded by innocent civilians, including infants and children. The picture makes the viewer feel empathy for the Iraqi people and support the war while instilling a feeling of anger towards the "terrorist" forces. I believe that the manipulation of this image may not lead to first degree harm, but distorting the truth and lying about life changing events is wrong, legally and morally. Although I believe that action in Iraq was necessary, images like this wrongfully portray the actual events taking place during the war. Distorting photographs for personal benefit is wrong and I do not agree with it under any circumstance.
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4 comments:
I agree, it's definitely wrong to manipulate pictures in order to make the public feel a certain way, especially in the case of a war, where public opinion is so important!
I also agree with your comments. I think in a situation as serious as the war which touches so many people on a personal level it can be extremely harmful and offensive to some to manipulate an image such as the soldier and Iraqi civilians.
Distortion is lying and lying is always bad. Except for sometimes.
Very nice agruments.
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