QCQ #1
“Of course the photographer saw it. And unless there’s been some tampering or misrepresenting , it is the truth”.
I think that this quote explains media and imagery in a very efficient way regarding it in today’s society. This statement before any photo manipulation means were created is absolutely true, but it goes to say that “tampering” (even years ago) is very possible. Yes, to a degree an artist drawing from a photo reference that a photographer took is the truth, but today it’s harder to explain than that. Because of the influx of media and accessibility to photography, the truth has become harder and harder to grasp. Much like the overstimulation of news publication, now anyone can edit photographs – making many not trustworthy as a solid depiction of reality (as Sontag states “an era of digital photography and Photoshop manipulations”). This statement could very well be said at any time in history, but it does allow us to question: are all photographs in some way the truth? Is there any way for artists like Goya to know that they are truly depicting reality with the art?
QCQ #2
“New demands are made in reality in the era of cameras. The real thing may not be fearsome enough, and therefore needs to be enhanced; or reenacted more convincingly”.
This quote to me explains a very unhealthy habit that we as a people often take part in today, while unfortunately it is also fed into by news publishers and media. While in today’s world everyone searches so desperately for the real truth, we also need something that will surprise us. The excerpt above speaks about altering the truth to make it more fearsome – more interesting – in a way. This contradicts what we look for in the media, but we nonetheless eat it up and hunger for more unrealistic, and exciting media. Sometimes the truth is boring and it will be altered to draw public attention, numbers, etc. This is a very unhealthy way to approach the media because it adapts the public to unrealistic expectations. One of the great hypocrisies of the 21st century is this hunger for adrenaline increasing, unrealistic media, yet we all search for the truth just as much. So much is produced and published today that it makes me wonder: what if photo manipulation was never invented and how would this affect media outlets or the public?
