A Study of the Possibilities and Limits

Abstract

In this paper, I will discuss the ethical problems related to employing photo manipulation in photojournalism Using data from news media. Like all professional fields, photojournalism has its own standard of ethics. Every publication has to follow a set of rules (Bersak, 2006). Photojournalism is different from any other area of photography. Photojournalists contribute photos to the news media so the photos should be impartial and honest. Otherwise, photographs may lead to massive problems. The digital composite of a British soldier in Basra photographed by Brian Walski is a very clear example of how the manipulation of photographs and footage in documentries can lead to problems (Flybring, 2009). In this paper, I argue that photographs and footage in documentaries should never be manipulated. Photojournalists are reporting what they can see. The use of modification tools like cropping, scar reduction and color reversal can change the abate and follow of an article or graphic design. Over-manipulation or distortions have to be legally prohibited in photojournalism because; viewers have a right to know the truth. In the early stage of photography, the photograph meant being able to capture the world as we see it through speed In 1860, president Abraham Lincoln’s Head was grafted onto John Calhoun’s portrait This was the first example of photo Manipulation. In the digital era, photo manipulation is treated as creative art. However, in photojournalism it can have a negative impact on society.