Edited Pictures Violate Photo Journalism Ethics?

In this era, it is not surprising to see edited pictures like the one below. Far back before 90’s where Photoshop is not invented, pictures like this are almost impossible to produce and no ways for journalist to retouch their pictures. As technology has become advance, editing or retouch of pictures are common not only among journalist, but most of us. However, the edit of picture for journalism is claiming to violate photo journalism ethics.

Edited picture by WWF on reduce over fishing campaign

(Source: WWF 2012)

The article ‘Who Can Improve on Nature? Magazine Editors’ by Haughney on The New York Times 20 July 2012 brings out the discussion. In the article, she provides real life cases for us to think about the ethical level of editing pictures. One of the most common retouched pictures examples are the models in magazine where by their body and face are edited to be better looking. 

Picture were edited for better looking

(Source: healthytimesblog 2011)

 

 Another example of retouched photo

(Source: healthytimesblog 2011)

Though, some people view the act of editing as unethical. According to Shriver (1997), “Readers illustrate based on beliefs to the author’s intention, knowledge of the topic and representation of the text”. Same for every sector, ethical is to make the right decision, and it is judge based on different background. Therefore the judgment of photo journalism ethics from different background can be different.

In my opinion, editing of pictures does violate photo journalism ethics under certain circumstances. I agree with Walsh (2006, p.6) that ‘Images have other effects that are different from words, particularly at affective, aesthetic and imaginative levels.’ For example the pictures above by WWF are effectively brings out the message to audience that besides rhino, we also need to protect tunas form being over fishing. Editing or retouch picture from good intention to provide nice looking and meaningful pictures without overly are acceptable. 

However, if picture editing technology is being use to create pictures which are fake and unfair to certain parties it is unethical. For example, edited pictures that are stereotyping, racist and pornography are not respecting others.

As I mention before, everything has its bright and dark side, use wisely. 

Reference

Schriver, KA 1997, Dynamics in document design, John Wiley & sons, New York, USA.

Walsh, M 2006, “Textual shift: Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts”, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, Vol. 29, no1, p.24-37

Ads of the world 2012, WWF Bluefin Tuna overfishing: Rhino, viewed 5 November 2012, < http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/wwf_bluefin_tuna_overfishing_rhino>.

Haughney, C 2012, ‘Who Can Improve on Nature? Magazine Editors’, The New York Times 20 July, viewed 5 November 2012, < http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/arts/magazine-editors-and-photographers-on-retouching-photos.html?pagewanted=all>.

Healthy times Blog 2011, ‘Are Magazine Covers Eating Into Your Self-Esteem?’, Healthy Times Blog, 17 May, viewed 5 November2012, < http://www.healthytimesblog.com/2011/05/are-magazine-covers-eating-into-your-self-esteem/>