The maze of photojournalism
 

Dr. Senarath Tennakoon

photojournalism: Even the dead become alive and active. Dreams come true. The non-existent become realistic and existent. The dead and the living can exist side by side. With modern technology one's physical presence and activity can be transferred from one position to another, through the fine art and science of photography.

Although you were at home on a particular day at a particular time, your photograph could find its way into a protest march or a demonstration on a public road. The worst would be when you find yourself engaged in an amorous act on a sea beach or so!

Sophisticated computer technology which converts an image to pixels, each of which can be electronically controlled, allows almost anyone to manipulate photographs convincingly.

In a matter of minutes, two photographs can be combined seamlessly to give an illusion. A father who died two decades back, can be shown to walk beside his son in a procession!

In fashion photography, it is now common practice for the model photographs to be shown with long legs. These effects are produced by electronic alterations. This act of altering is looked upon as an art or a science where the viewer is faced with deception. The cornerstone of reputable photojournalism where veracity counts, becomes a fake being diluted by deception.

The ethical and moral implications of such deceptive processes could be devastating, when such practices find their way to newspaper and magazine journalism and massive financial claims are made over libel suits in courts of justice.

The ease of manipulation, undetectability, transmissibility, and the change from analogue to digital are the key features of newly manipulated photography.

Photographs can be taken at different distances, angles, directions and heights. The common people could be misinformed if they are not competent in interpreting distorted pictures.

If one believes that 'the camera does not lie', then one takes it for granted that one sees reality in the photography. But in the absence of detailed information of the conditions under which a photograph is taken and subsequent editing aspects, the viewer is liable to be mis-informed.

Deception is the outcome of such misinterpretation. There are situations where photographic evidence is taken for granted in settling disputes and conflicts. But now, new digitally produced images can be transmitted electronically without loss of quality.

The viewer could be gloriously deceived beyond doubt.

"I will suppose that the heavens, the air, the earth, colours, shapes, sounds and all external things that we see are only illusions and deceptions which he uses to take me in".

The evil demon finds its modern equivalent in the cynical photojournalist or picture editor who uses new electronic technology to manipulate what the viewer of a news photograph sees.