BoxLog

The concept of a photograph as the reflection of reality is outdated since image editing software saw daylight. The idea of a direct capturing of an actual scene from reality has been mostly vanished.

But instead of undermining the status of the photograph, it has very much enhanced the position of photography within the field of visual arts. Many contemporary photographers play with the thin line between real and surreal; captured reality versus created phantasy.

The first picture is a perfect example. What is real in this picture and what is fake? Is it - despite the fact that this particular photographer edits his pictures a lot - a ‘real’ reflection of the woman’s body, or is it highly edited yet still having a very ‘natural’ look?

The questions may not seem highly important at first sight, but especially this image shows how fine the line is between real and fake. In the advertising industry, fashion industry and even in journalism, pictures are retouched, edited and manipulated in post production.

The second image is from the same photographer. It has the same atmosphere, the same poetic and slightly dark tone and - above all - the same magic realistic photographic look. But in this case one thing is crystal clear: the image has been manipulated.

So is there a difference between the two images? It doesn’t seem the case. Both images show a message and a feeling the photographer/artist wants to reflect. Most probably, both images are retouched and manipulated to get the message across. The questions in which image it shows more is not relevant in this matter; what matters is: did the photographer reach his goal?