Digital photo manipulation: the code of ethics of a “Photoshop guru”
November 2, 2007
No intent to start a debate about the use of digital manipulation of photographs. I just wanted to link to the recent post of Scott Kelby, the "Photoshop Guy", as he just posted his "Photo Editing Code of Ethics" and I found interesting to juxtapose it with the comments from the master Elliott Erwitt.
"Photoshop is useful in many ways but must NEVER be used for the altering of photographs. My assistants and my agency do whatever Photoshop work for me that may be required as it is too complicated for my brain."- Elliott Erwitt [source]
Posted in Photography
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November 2nd, 2007 at 3:31 pm
[…] Elliott Erwitt wearing a shirt that reads, “WARNING: Digital manipulation KILLS photography” implies that there was nothing manipulated in the first place. Such reservations notwithstanding, […]
November 3rd, 2007 at 10:40 am
That’s a little odd isn’t it - the statement, I mean? The statement “whatever Photoshop work for me that may be required” implies that he’s not sure of what work is actually done.
Also, by alteration I assume he means the addition/deletion of scenic elements…
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Yes, he is not very eloquent with the statement. I read in his words a kind of “annoyance” from the fact that Photoshop is a “new” technology that he does not grasp well enough to use, and so he dismisses it, this is work for “my assistants”. But I am quite certain that his intent is to highlight that any retouch should never involve changing the subjects depicted in the image.
Miguel