From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
Digital Manipulation
Digital image manipulation is the altering of an image using computer program tools and software to produce a contrived image, often generating new meaning. It involves already existing imagery, such as photographs, films or videos, being subsequently worked on in a multitude of possible ways. Computers are now used as controlling devices, and for digitising and managing visual information. Photos are able to be modified or retouched by computer graphics in software such as Adobe Photoshop to produce a result that is so high in quality that it is almost impossible to tell if the photo has been manipulated. (Warren, 1993).
Within the topic of digital manipulation, there can be a breakdown of centrally associated issues to be used to deepen research.
- Digital Image Manipulation – Ethics
- There are several ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding the practice of digital image manipulation. Particular focus should be placed on credibility and responsibility, as there is currently no specific code of ethics relating to digital image media. Computer technology has developed to enable maximum impact through manipulation, but at what point does manipulation become exploitation of the truth? Can it be justified to alter an image, for example by simply adjusting the pixels, or is this already an act of manipulation that is creating a false representation of reality?
- Digital Image Manipulation – Reality vs Preferred Reality
- The rapid progressions in media technologies has created the potential for skewing our perception and attitudes, by altering reality. Reality in the photo imagery world is becoming non-existent, with most media related images being manipulated lightly or otherwise, to ultimately persuade the viewers to a particular point of view. The audience is generally unaware of the alterations, creating a blurring of the truth. Many images are altered for public acceptability and sensory reasons, though it needs to be defined under what context the public has a right to be notified of the manipulation of any image, regardless of the extent. The ramifications of misleading the public will cause loss of credibility and support, specifically affecting news media.
- Digital Image Manipulation – Accessibility
- The technology to create digital manipulations is so easily accessible nowadays that generally anyone with the software can become a creator of a contrived image. Easy to use tools can immediately alter images to create a manipulated copy, with the extent of the change left up to the one possessing the technology. Such simple accessibility creates concerns relating to the abuse of advancing technology, causing truth to become a manufactured entity.
- Digital Image Manipulation – Journalistic Integrity
- The two prime perpetrators of image manipulation are newspaper photography editors and television news editors. Both forms of media experience the pressure to succumb to entertainment and popularity values, and digital manipulation assists in creating this desired outcome. The tolerance of enhancement and alteration lies in the integrity of journalists and their dedication to reporting and presenting truth, as well as being accountable for their immediate actions. By exploiting the use of digital manipulation tools, journalists are abusing their power as representors of truth. The problem with digital manipulation is that it has become so ingeniously smooth that viewers may not even notice that what they are watching has changed. Therefore it becomes 'up to the integrity of the program maker to use virtual imaging in a way that is both responsible and accurate.' (http://www.whoiszoefitzgerald.com/crit.%20eval./news.html)
- Digital Image Manipulation – Social Concerns
- Digital manipulation directly affects society in that we are obliviously exposed to images on a regular basis. Specific concerns include the legal perspectives of the influence of digital media and the consequences of increasing interaction with virtual reality. Digital manipulation can be seen as ‘easy to do, hard to detect’ (Coats & Ramsey 2000). Such a statement links accessibility issues with the progression in digital media, proving that it is a matter of social recognition concerning the use and exploitation of digital manipulation.
Image manipulation has progressed as a consequence of technology developments and advances in new media. In the 19th century, photography was a representation of an artistic and technical work and a witness of time. The Second World War saw the development of Digital Imaging and its relative techniques, with an increasing demand for automated analysis in surveillance, cartography and planning. Digital manipulation and processing removed objects from images, improving the quality for human analysis. Since the drastic growth of communications in the early 1990’s, technologies such as satellites, the internet and virtual reality have seen photographs and images seamlessly modified to produce new and morally questionable representations. The early philosophical foundations of image ethics are no longer particular enough to contend with issues of rights and standards. The future see businesses and publics alike concerned that the once truthful photography has been manipulated beyond belief and submission. The advance in digital technology has caused a change in the look of reality, or photo-reality, into what could be called Hyperreality.
Digital manipulation is an important element of new media, as the public is somewhat oblivious to its possibilities, and the driving force of communication, the media, seemingly exploits such a technological power. There is currently no specific ethical code relative to digital manipulation, therefore it is entirely up to those who posses the technology, to define ‘too far’. Such an issue leaves the line between spin and reality highly vulnerable.
Digital Manipulation as a topic also bears a significant link to other areas of research in the Wikipedia, because it is a form of new media technology, which is active and developing in todays society. Other relevant topics available on the Wikipedia include Digital_Journalism.
See also:
References Cited:
- Coats, W.S., Ramsey, G. 2000. Fair, accurate, and true? Authenticating evidence in the age of digital manipulation. The Practical Litigator Journal, 11 (1), 31-37. (accessed August 10, 2004, from Proquest:Accounting and Tax Periodicals database), ISBN 10476261
- Conklin, W. 2001. The Illusion of diversity: When ethics, technology and diversity clash. Diversity Factor Journal, 9 (2), 5-10. (accessed September 9, 2004, from Proquest:ABI/INFORM Global database), ISBN 10677194
- Ehrlich, M.C., Gladney, G.A. 1996. Cross-media to digital manipulation of still and moving images. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media. 40 (4) 496-508. (accessed August 11, 2004, from Proquest:Telecommunications database), ISBN 08838151
Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Centre. 2002. Digital Imaging:Ethics
http://swehsc.pharmacy.arizona.edu/exppath/resources/pdf/Digital_Imaging_Ethics.pdf (accessed September 8, 2004).
Times Online. 2004. Digital Imaging, A Snapshot of History
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,16049-1213439,00.html
Lorn Pearson Online. 2003 Digitalisation in the news
http://www.whoiszoefitzgerald.com/crit.%20eval./news.html
Millie York 21:57, 9 Sep 2004 (EST)
