Miscarriage of Meaning PHOTOgraphy Manipulation

Just because we’re apathetic, doesn’t mean we have to be stupid and gullible. When we see a picture – it doesn’t mean it’s true. Why? A picture shows what is the content but not the story.


Nowadays, we easily believe what social media is feeding us. We are now in the era where it is hard to distinguish whether a picture is true or fabricated. In media, the use of photo manipulation has been rampant, manipulating its content for aesthetic purpose to mislead the viewers.

Furthermore, we easily fall into this scheme. Regardless of the intention of the editor, knowing that we are more dependent on visuals, we easily believe in the things that are shown in the social media, not knowing that these pictures are already digitally manipulated. People can easily change the picture by the use of Photoshop and other editing applications; adjusting the brightness, putting up a filter, adjusting the shadow and whatnot. By tweaking it a bit, the whole picture transforms up a notch.

Editing pictures can be advantageous for certain reasons. Most of the time, it can boost the subject’s confidence because of the positive feedback, comments, among other factors which can help build up his/her self-esteem. Since the image is already manipulated to create effect, the chances of it having great impact are high.

On the other hand, there are some advantageous of editing which people should take into account. First, the subject may rely too much on photo editing programs or applications. Also, photo manipulation can distort people’s perception on genuine beauty which is done by changing the subject’s complexion, slimming the body and or swapping body parts from a different photo.

There is nothing wrong with photo manipulation; but what’s wrong is its effect on people’s lives. Photo editing gives a sense of false hope and satisfaction, deceiving only those who are dependent on it.

Moreover, it can lead to insecurities to both men ad women.
We may have been fooled by photo manipulation these days, but we must have the proper knowledge about its implications. What is portrayed in most of the magazines are too idealistic and flawless.

There is nothing wrong in using photo editing applications since it serves well in some other ways. Perhaps, if we pick-up a camera in our own perspective without using photo manipulation, we could appreciate the true essence of a real photography.    

Photosources: Google

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