by Allison Kuhn-Talbot
A Look at News, Parody, and the Art of Photographic Manipulation
Introduction
For a modern planetarium show, Tom Callen, an astronomer/program producer
created a variety of fake UFO images as a way of showing audiences how easily
such photos can be done.
© 2001, Cosmonova. Retrieved from http://www.csicop.org/si/2003-09/faking-ufo-photos.html
Spring Break Invaded by Aliens!
Imagine the photographic image that would accompany this headline! Have you ever viewed a celebrity magazine photo that you believe has been altered? Seen an "airbrushed" effect in a fashion magazine? Scrutinized an advertisement that seemed too good to be true?
Examples of photographic truth that have been stretched, manipulated, and outright fabricated are the norm in commercial arts. In this WebQuest, you are on a journey to discover truth, parody and the law. You will then work as an image manipulator for The Shallot, an indie student newspaper of parodies. Your conclusion will answer the following question: Where do you draw the line?