Darkroom Manipulation Vs Digital Photo Manipulation

They say the brightest of images are born in darkness. But the days are gone when the photographer's dark room used to be a chamber of secrets. The world has accepted photo manipulation as a coveted art form. Whether for commercial or personal purpose, it is an integral process. The advent of digital photography has played a major part in it. Developers have handed over a magic stick in the form of photo editing software. With the simple tools and techniques that these software offer, anyone can turn to the art of image manipulation.

So what is Photo Manipulation? From restoration jobs to enhancement measures, the removal of unwanted elements and introducing the image to a new background, all come under its gambit during processing. The enhanced uses of several techniques make it possible to serve different purposes. Be it for commercial purpose where image are used for advertising or personal archives, where perfect images are much in demand.

Photo manipulation and modern techniques

In early years of photo industry, the photographers would follow simple techniques to manipulate photos. But, at present cutting age technology is used to create prefect results. It also includes texts and graphics as well. The crux of image editing is associated with software used for this purpose. The extensive use of software like Adobe Photoshop and Coral draw have brought in the change in the way world looked towards images.  Many innovative tools like clipping path, image masking, photo retouching are used too. The software can also be used to introduce 3D effects. This is particularly used in case of commercial photography. To add, a beautiful background or to remove one is a tactful job for the editor.

The scope is as varied as the human imagination. One of the best uses is to restore old photos. Often some parts of old photos get destroyed. With correct tool at hand they can be recreated to appear realistic. To create a composite image using elements of many different images is not only fun but is an artistic expression. As for the editors, they need to be ethical in their work. It is the element of honesty that helps the career further. Whether ‘doctoring', ‘altering', or tweaking is done, it should not be deceiving at any point. Fake pictures only give bad press. But a good visual attracts compliments.

 Is darkroom manipulation totally outdated?

To the amazement of many, it is still in practice. Though they are a few in number but some artists still believe that the darkroom is indeed a chamber of secret. And they create magic out of it. It is interesting to note that most of the modern digital techniques have been picked up from darkroom techniques. When these techniques are used in its original form, the result is mind-blowing. The only difference is that digital photo editing is easier as compared to the darkroom techniques. And the digital techniques are for everyone but to create images in darkroom need special expertise.

So, while darkroom represents the mystery of the past, the digital techniques hold the reins of future.

About the Author

Atiqur Sumon
Chief Executive, DTP & SEO Expert at Outsource Experts Ltd.
Photo Manipulation | Image Manipulation | Photoshop Photo Manipulaton

‘Breaking News' Pictures With Photo Manipulation

Several images are altered to create the impact for breaking news to the public every morning. Now that most readers know it is photo manipulation at work, how far can an agency go with it? Deliberately tweaked pictures can be made to look horrible or beautiful. The current trends of advertising reflect in the campaigns. It is hard to know how much a model has been retouched.  How many times have you hated the mirror because it never lies? It does not smoothens the wrinkles, does not hide a stand of grey hair. It makes one face one's real face. On the other hand everyone loves photographs, especially if they are Photoshop manipulated. The reasons- they preserve memories, they conserve beauty and lastly they deceive. To imbibe realty is not an easy task. It often hurts -so why not garb it under cover of beauty. Photoshop manipulation does exactly the same. And where there is beauty, beast must be nearby.

 

 

Like a coin, Photoshop Manipulation has two faces.

 

First the good side

 

 

The positive ripples of image manipulation can be felt at several spheres. Be it in self- expression, commercial communication, historical facts and figures, scientific requirements, artistic purposes, the magic of Photoshop is omnipresent. In its early days, Photoshop was used for simple photo editing needs. But, with fast development, it can now be used to for extensive purposes. The next time one raves about the ravishing beauty of a supermodel on a print ad or a magazine cover, search for traces ofPhotoshop manipulation. Before one actually gets into doing so, note that no such traces can be found. It depletes the distinction between realism and idealism. When the viewers gush out in admiration at the artworks of renowned photographers, the man knows the truth. Had it not been Photoshop manipulation, many precious old photographs would have been lost due to lack of retouching. With this tool, they can be easily restored to their original glory. Not only images, but also this software allows artists to play with words as well. Lastly, how can one forget that Photoshop Manipulation is the source of bread and butter of many professionals?

 

 

 

 

The reverse face

 

 

 

 

 

It cannot be denied that if images persuade, they deceive as well. If they sing of glory of self-expression, it can also derogate an event. If it tells stories, it can also distort historical facts. If it preserves beauty, it also adds to malpractices like morphing faces. Photoshop manipulation has been used to implant false faces on bodies. From dishonoring posters to sexual scams, they have manipulated images massively. This is why the technology has come under fire from the moral police time and again. And it has been ‘breaking news' often.

 

 

It is thus, that the fine line ethics and morality is dishonored. But it remains a matter of individual judgment to respect ethics or to violate them. No technology is either good or bad; it is way it is used matters the most.

About the Author

Atiqur Sumon
Chief Executive
DTP & SEO Expert at Outsource Experts Ltd.
Clipping Path Specialist, Clipping Path India, Vector Image India