This is me.
Or is it?
I was talking to my Uncle Duane recently. He has been a professional photographer here in Austin,TX for 23 years. He told me something I did not know. He said that every image we see when we step out of our house is photoshopped in some way. No image we see is raw. Not anywhere.
So this led into a discussion of truthfulness in photography. How photoshopped can a picture be before it loses truthfulness? At some point, he asserted, the picture becomes a lie. This gave me pause. I wondered how this affects our view of reality, without our even realizing it?
Is it truthful as long as it’s an artistic expression of an image and not claiming to be reality? Does it automatically become untruthful when the alterations are done for cosmetic purposes, to enhance one’s physical attractiveness? I don’t have the answers to any of these questions pinned down yet, but as a Christian artist, I think it’s worth exploring some of these things. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Hmmm. Those are interesting questions. If photoshopping is making a photo a lie of sorts, what is drawing (if you aren’t copying anything)? Is drawing the same as coming up with a reality all one’s own? Obviously these are questions I’m going to have to ponder as well. Maybe M should do an expos on it next year? =)
you know, that is a really good idea! I’m actually requiring her to do
an expos next year since she hasn’t done that event yet!
VERY interesting thought. I’ve pondered this myself. Is photoshopping REAL photography? Or is it phony? Are we to be spend time on phony things? Is this a good hobby for Christians?
I have no firm answer. The following reply is off the cuff and I will, of course, ponder this further. But, to play devil’s advocate, you could use the same logic to argue against wearing make up, or coloring your hair, or wearing jewelry, or getting braces. At some point, our image can become a lie— a false representation of what’s really there. So, if I cover my gray hair with color, is that a lie? What about whitening my teeth?
The Lord looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance. What is your heart in photoshopping images- to distort reality or to use the creative drive the Lord made us with to create a work of art? I agree that if your intent is to cover faults and create a false perception than your motive is wrong.
The Lord looks at our hearts. Is my heart pleasing to Him?
We could look at classical paintings (1400’s-mid 1800’s) of people, as well. They are now considered art, but I’m sure gals in those days instructed their portrait painters to take off a few pounds or wrinkles and make their noses smaller. Oil paint is very forgiving :). The men of wealth and renown of those days no doubt also wanted to appear more stately and masculine, maybe by adding height or muscle. Who knows what Queen Fill in the Blank really looked like, but we enjoy the painting. I was just thinking about this recently…food for thought.
Great point! I was just reading about a particular painting like that yesterday! See my new post!