Email This StoryManipulation of photograph act of unethical photojournalism
Dec. 3, 1997It seems like a simple matter -- media outlets just touching up someone's imperfections in order to make them stand in the best light. But when do these slight, or major, changes in photographs render an incorrect image of a major figure in the news?
The birth of septuplets to Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey was the news event for which newspapers and magazines were longing. It had world-wide appeal -- these children made medical history as the first living complete set of septuplets, and were the children of a 29-year-old mother who chose not to abort any of the children despite medical advice to selectively reduce the number of fetuses. And the Carlisle, Iowa, resident and her husband even gave God credit for their strength through the ordeal.
This was a story that touched the hearts of people all over the world.
But there was only one problem. Bobbi's looks were not good enough for the spotlight that was shining upon her face. Her teeth were not straight and they were a bit discolored. However, after Newsweek finished with her picture, it was cover quality. The Dec. 1, 1997, issue of the weekly news magazine shows Bobbi with orthodontically perfect teeth that are ivory white. The unsuspecting reader would have never known the looks of her 'previous' teeth.
In a slightly less unethical move, Time magazine ran a cover photo of the McCaughey couple with Bobbi's teeth whitened but not straightened.
Would the words 'photo illustration' on the covers of these magazines have made this situation any better? Yes, in that many of the reading public would see that these pictures are not completely true. However, the reader would remain clueless as to exactly what was 'illustrated' in the photos.
Newsweek chose not to run the words 'photo illustration' by the picture and were therefore guilty of completely misleading the public.
Many would disregard this incident, justifying their indifference with the naïve thought that this occurrence was random. Maybe so, but not likely.
A news photographer's task is to provide the news through the camera lens. Adobe Photoshop, which is a common facilitator for photograph manipulation, should not be used by journalists to tell what they feel is the 'right' story.
In truth, the photos depict falsehood and should make readers of any magazine wonder if they are really getting the whole story, or if they are getting what some one sitting at a computer thinks the story should be.
I take the first option. I want to read and see the real story, not an artist's conception.
If I wanted to see The National Enquirer, falsified photographs included, I would subscribe to it.
You know what's funny?
The picture in The National Enquirer, imperfect teeth and all, looks just like the person that was in countless newspapers and was featured on Dateline NBC last week.
Ironic, isn't it?
Copyright © 1997 The Lariat
Comments or Questions can be sent to The Lariat
More News ...
