Mary Jackson Pitts, Ph.D.

mpitts@astate.edu

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Baran   Worksheet   5-4   Magazines

It has often been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. So what happens when you find out that the picture you've been looking at isn't what the picture is really supposed to look like?

Magazines know the power that image carries and therefore have been known to digitally enhance or change an image in order to portray something in a different light. For instance, a family photo of the Royal Family of England was altered so that Prince William was smiling rather than looking glum as he really had in the original.

1. How do you feel about any magazine or publication's practice of altering a photo to enhance or change an image?

2. Do you feel that a publication has a right to make such alterations?

3. Do you feel that alterations such as these are acceptable at any time? If yes, give an example. If no, explain why not.

4. Find an example of a picture from a magazine (perhaps right on the cover) that you think was probably altered. Attach a photocopy of the picture to this assignment. Why do you think this particular photo was altered? What is your clue?

5. Assuming you are correct in your assessment, is this an acceptable use of alteration or not? Why?