Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

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Geri Leyva ARTH 160 Written Response #1 “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Photographs have always been thought of as an accurate depiction of events, however, photographs are subject to many other factors. The photographer decides what you, the viewer, is going to see based on content, selection and framing. Although this has always been the case it has become more prevalent with the introduction of digital technology. Pictures now need to be viewed with a more discerning eye. One can no longer rely on the integrity of pictures. The use of digital technology effects every aspect in today’s media. The most notable area where this occurs is in the fashion industry. We see it every day and it is all around us. On magazine covers, social media and television. One can’t view these photos without a sense of doubt as to how these women actually appear in “real life”. The ability to alter these photos is well documented along with the damage that is caused by perpetuating the ideal of perfection. In the article “Photoshopping: Altering Images and Our Minds” “Dr. McAneny of the AMA states, “We must stop exposing impressionable children and teenagers to advertisements portraying models with body types only attainable with the help of photo editing software.” And yet, in the last year, Photoshopping has reached an all-time high. It is inescapable”. Because of the influence that photoshopping has had on the media, there have been several articles published showing the before and after pictures that have been published (http://www.beautyredefined.net/photoshop-phoniness-hall-of-shame/). It is also discussed that the myth of photographic truth is shown by the emotional investment that we have invested in the photograph. When we take pictures, we tend to capture the image that will invoke the greatest memory, thereby excluding other elements that will be
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