Argumentative Essay: Is Seeing Really Believing?

Is seeing really believing? The question of whether or not photographers go too far when they “stage” or “manipulate” a photograph’s scene, has been an ongoing issue throughout our history. When this topic became part of the discussion in class, I immediately held the belief that presenting a fake photo was wrong. To me, it seemed very cut and dry; honesty versus dishonesty. After all, it would be against a moral code of ethics for a person to do such a terrible thing. If photographers got credit for manipulated photos, and the public was aware of these practices, wouldn't that take away from the very thing that the photographer had intended? Much of the fanfare in performing these acts, is so the true devastation of the events is realized, …show more content…
In my everyday life, I’m bombarded by television, movies, commercials, billboards and especially magazines with images that are fake. With the creation of programs like Photoshop, it is now easier than ever before to alter photographs. Go to any grocery store and the woman peering out from the pages of each and every magazine, appear with flawless features, only made possible by careful editing. They are manipulated to look tan, skinny, without cellulite and of course with no wrinkles, all of which were probably present in the original. So what kind of an impact does this have? From a very young age, I learned from seeing dishonest images, that I can only be accepted and loved if I am perfect. If I appear in the right way physically, I can get a prestigious job, have the husband of my dreams and lets not forget, the house with the white picket fence and two perfect children. I am truly saddened by our society’s lack of compassion for the damage they have inflicted on countless people due to false …show more content…
I thought back to the photograph by Gardiner, of a deceased man lying on the ground, behind a pile of perfectly stacked stone. At first glance the photo didn’t have any impact on me in a thought provoking or emotional way. It was only when I learned that the scene had most likely been staged, that I began to have an emotional reaction. Anger and disgust. It was then, that I became aware of how bizarre the photo really was. The rifle, so precariously leaning against the rock wall now screamed fake. It is unlikely that the rifle would have taken that position after the man fell over dead. With all that being said, my disgust at the photographer forced my attention to the war and the devastation that had occurred during that time. So does that mean that the photographer was successful in his