Most photos taken or received by press agencies are retouched. But very clear rules are imposed on photos that come from outside the agency, explains Philippe François. It is therefore authorized to modify the framing, improve the color rendition or improve the sharpness of the image.
“Photography is writing“, underlines Thierry Maroit, professor of photography at the Institute of Advanced Studies of Social Communications (IHECS). And for this writing the photographer works on his frame and uses the tools of light, contrast, color saturation, etc. .
From the moment we transform the truth, then we can speak of manipulation
At all times (on film and digital), it has been possible to rework your shot a little: brightness, color density, etc. but without altering the truth. “When we do this, we retouch the image, that is to say we make some corrections which improve its reading or which possibly give a feeling. From the moment we transform the truth, then we can speak of manipulation“, decides the photography professor.
In summary, this expert tells us, we are talking regarding manipulation when the composition of the photo is altered. If it is a question of improving the conditions for reading the image, we will talk regarding retouching.
Philippe François believes that the procedures put in place within the Belga agency are sufficiently effective. Furthermore, if the possibilities for modifying images evolve, so do the verification tools and some are still in preparation. “But it is clear that for international agencies like AFP, Reuters and others, this is indeed a question which is becoming more and more predominant but which the agencies are facing.” And the question arises especially for images circulating on social networks, outside the journalistic context, he believes.
The defense of truth returns to the center of the debate
Thierry Maroit, professor of photography at IHECS
What particularly interests Thierry Maroit are the reactions that the publication of this photo arouses among agencies, journalists and even the palace itself.
At a time when we are going through a crisis of confidence in the press, where photojournalists must practically beg to earn a living, “ithere is an interesting movement happening“, estimates the expert. “That is to say, we denounce, we remove an image and we make a big noise regarding it […] This means that the defense of truth returns to the center of the debate.“
