Photography and Truth: Can a photograph lie?

Photography, the first invention of its kind, served a purpose for this monumental invention that would later become so normalized that now billions of photographs are shared, produced, and reproduced all around the world. Its purpose was to capture precise details and the accuracy of what was seen by humans, offering a different means of capturing reality compared to existing methods such as drawing and painting. Louis Daguerre, who would later become known for developing the daguerreotype process, introduced a revolutionary method of photography. This groundbreaking technique was unveiled to the world in 1839, widely regarded as the inception of practical photography. However, Daguerre’s metal-based daguerreotype faced competition from William Henry Fox Talbot’s paper-based calotype negative and salt print processes, both of which were demonstrated in the same year, 1839.

From the text “The Pluto’s Cave,” I learned that the use of photography began in 1871 by the Paris police during the murderous roundup of communards. Since then, photographs have been regarded as the most realistic form of truth and evidence. In another article titled “The Pluto’s Cave,” I found an intriguing statement: “Photographed images do not seem to be statements about the world so much as pieces of it, miniatures of reality that anyone can make or acquire.” I agree with this statement because a photograph represents a specific moment and can never truly capture an absolute truth. Instead, it becomes an object that preserves that captured moment after it has passed.

Photography represented a significant advancement from drawing and other mediums. The fact that it was not created by a person’s brain and transferred onto paper, like drawing, but rather by a person clicking a button and the machine producing the image, made it more trustworthy and believable. People relied on the physical object and the technology behind it to produce the most accurate version of reality, unlike a person’s painting or other artwork, which could easily be altered. However, what many may be unaware of or tend to overlook when observing a photograph is that an image can also be manipulated. Even before the advent of modern technology, such as Photoshop or other digital photographic tools, manipulation occurred in the darkroom during the early days of film photography in the 19th century. Photographers would adjust lighting in specific areas, darken or lighten certain elements, and remove unwanted objects. Today, with widely used digital tools like Photoshop, the possibilities for alteration are even more extensive. In a text I have read, I learned that the process of manipulation begins as soon as we frame a person, landscape, object, or scene with our cameras. We make choices like selecting a portrait or landscape format, and then further manipulation can involve adding non-realistic filters, editing, altering, or cropping the image.

AI and modern image altering

However, in today’s world, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made a significant impact on society, including photography and image-making. AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. It is crucial to recognize the influence of AI on photography, as it not only changes how people perceive photography but also challenges the authenticity of the images encountered.

AI systems rely on algorithms and computational models to analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, make decisions, and solve complex problems. However, it is important to note that AI can both assist and distract. It can expedite the editing process of images, such as color correction and enhancements. AI can also categorize images through image recognition and restore images by improving the quality of blurry or old photographs. However, the most astonishing aspect of AI is content creation. AI-generated images are based on pre-programmed instructions and blending millions of photographs within the system to create entirely new and fictional compositions.

It is important to understand that while AI brings numerous advancements, it will not replace the creativity and vision of photographers. Instead, AI serves as a powerful tool to augment and enhance their abilities, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable in photography.

In the early stages of AI becoming prominent, the authenticity of images begins to lose its meaning. Particularly concerning is the potential for AI to create false images. Although AI requires human input to generate images, it can quickly produce images that never existed before with just a few minutes of input. This poses a significant risk, as anyone, regardless of their artistic abilities, can create an image that represents events that never took place. Such images can have a profound impact on viewers, especially when they portray important people or topics. They can cause confusion and harm to various groups, while also being used as supporting evidence for a story. When such images are printed in reliable sources like newspapers, many individuals may unquestioningly accept their authenticity based on the trust they place in the source. Consequently, it becomes crucial to trace the origin of an image to understand its reality. However, in today’s modern world, with the abundance of altered, subjectively taken, and AI-generated images, discerning the authenticity behind them becomes increasingly challenging.

Many argue that documentary photography is the most realistic form of photography. This perception stems from the association of documentary photographs with capturing the truth. When these photographs appear in well-known media sources like the Discovery Channel or National Geographic, which have a reputation for “telling the truth,” people are more inclined to believe them. Individuals are more likely to trust photographs and videos depicting unfamiliar places or things they have not encountered before. For example, an American who has never traveled outside their country may have a limited perspective of what reality looks like based on their everyday experiences. Thus, they find photographs of an unseen area more believable. In the absence of personal visits, photographs and stories serve as evidence of the existence of those places. However, this is where questions arise, such as “Can we truly trust photographs?”

The truthfulness of a documentary photograph is not guaranteed solely because the photographer identifies as a documentary photographer. Multiple factors come into play when capturing photographs in a documentary context, and many people fail to realize that photographers, especially those working for prominent media companies, often focus on specific topics that are interesting and eye-catching. For instance, in an urban area of a foreign country, a documentary photographer may choose to photograph homeless or economically disadvantaged individuals. This does not imply that the entire area is exclusively populated by such individuals. However, due to the selective nature of documenting, we are led to believe a particular version of the truth—a representation of how a certain place appears without actually experiencing it. This does not mean the photographer is intentionally presenting a false view of the area, but the limited focus and selective approach can lead to misinterpretations.

Regarding the photographs themselves, although some documentary photographs are un-staged and capture spontaneous moments, providing a sense of authenticity, it is essential to acknowledge that purposefully staged photographs can also be included in documentary photography. How a photographer frames a shot, how they choose to edit the photographs by cropping, altering, or adding filters, contradicts the notion of complete authenticity. On the other hand, unedited or raw photographs may not grab viewers’ attention as much as edited ones. One might be perceived as more realistic than the other, although both depict the same subject. The intentional alterations made during editing aim to create a certain mood and elicit specific emotional responses from viewers, something that an unedited photograph may not achieve to the same extent.

Past Image altering

Above is an image by Robert Capa, depicting a Spanish soldier on the front lines of the Spanish Civil War. This photograph is Capa’s most famous work, gaining popularity due to allegations that it was “faked” or staged. The story goes that Capa was tasked with photographing soldiers during the civil war. However, since there was little action at the time, Capa allegedly asked the soldiers to simulate being shot. Unfortunately, as the soldiers emerged from their hiding spot to act out Capa’s request, they were spotted by the attackers and the soldier in the photograph was actually shot. This event highlights that as early as 1936 (and even earlier), photographs were not always true representations of reality. While photographers were limited in their ability to alter images, they could still manipulate the actual events captured. This manipulation could involve asking subjects to act or pretend in certain ways. Although the truth behind the image raises questions about the authenticity and harshness of war, the photograph remains impactful in delivering its message. Without knowledge of the story behind it, viewers will see what is presented to them. However, understanding the meaning behind the image can change a viewer’s response. Nevertheless, the initial emotional response a person experiences when looking at a photograph remains valuable.

Pablo Picasso Famously said “art is a lie that makes us realize truth” my interpretation of this quote is that art being created by a human, and being created by another person, whatever it is they create, photographs or paintings, that will be a representation of that persons reality. However, usually why artists do that is to make more people feel what they have felt, representing their own reality. These feeling are potential triggers to another persons truth and are truthful to them.

In the texts I have read, I found myself intrigued by several questions. One of them is whether manipulation is the first association that comes to mind when people think of photography, and what implications this has for the value of a photograph as a reflection of reality. Additionally, there is the question of what an authentic photograph really looks like.

Defining a “real” photograph proves to be a challenge because, on one hand, an image can become a physical object once it is printed. However, when it is viewed, it is displayed on various devices, which introduces another layer of transformation and interpretation. This ambiguity arises from the subjectivity of what the image represents. There is no definitive way to determine what a real photograph is in absolute terms.

While a photograph may strive to capture the essence of reality, it is ultimately influenced by the photographer’s vision. The photographer’s interpretation and creative choices play a vital role in shaping their version of reality within the image. Therefore, an authentic photograph can be seen as a representation of the photographer’s perspective and their unique interpretation of the world.

Influence of images

In today’s world, the problem of images representing a false reality and being perceived as the truth is becoming increasingly common. For example, when planning vacations, people often come across edited photographs that misrepresent the actual appearance of destinations. This creates a disconnect when they visit these places and find that the reality doesn’t match what was presented in the photographs. Alterations in colors, timing, and mood can change the perception of a place in images, but the place itself remains unchanged.

The widespread dissemination of non-truthful images across media is a growing concern, particularly for younger generations. Altered images of celebrities and models create unrealistic beauty standards, impacting individuals’ self-perception. For example, in magazines like Vogue, significant alterations are made to photoshoot images. This manipulation leads viewers to believe the edited version represents reality, unaware of the original photograph’s appearance. While cameras capture reality, photographs can be altered, highlighting the need for critical media literacy.

In the case of photographs from the same shoot featuring Lady Gaga, there is a noticeable difference between the image on the left and the image on the right. While lighting and angles play a role, the significant alteration occurs through editing and other forms of manipulation. Many individuals, without seeing the original unedited image, might assume that the edited image on the right is unaltered, as they are unaware of how the original photograph appeared. Thus, while a camera can capture reality, the reality portrayed in a photograph can be altered through manipulation.

According to the website https://movableink.com/blog/29-incredible-stats-that-prove-the-power-of-visual-marketing, our brains are naturally inclined towards visual information, with 90% of the information processed by the brain being visual. The human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than text, taking only 13 milliseconds to process an image. This explains why incorporating images into different platforms, including newspapers, can enhance storytelling and aid in better comprehension. Due to the brain’s quick processing of images, people tend to accept them without much questioning. As a result, social media platforms, in particular, often see the circulation of false images due to the tendency to accept visuals without scrutinizing their authenticity.