The ability to digitally enhance and manipulate images is not particularly new. Since the late 1980’s early 90’s professional graphic designers have been using expensive scanners, high end software and sophisticated imaging workstations.
However it is only recently that the power of digital imaging has been affordable and freshly available to the general public, due to the introduction of easy to use editing programs, the drop in price of digital cameras and the widespread use of personal computers. This has also been coupled with the introduction of email and the World Wide Web which enable the photographs to be communicated easily from one person’s computer to another.
The technology has improved rapidly so much to the point of mobile phones now having digital cameras as part of the specification.
During the First World War many photographs were faked for propaganda purposes. Newspapers showed faked photographs of Kaiser Wilhelm cutting off the hands of babies.
French sociologist Jean Baudrillard argues that there are four phases of the image. He states there is “one that reflects a basic reality, one that masks or perverts a basic reality, one that masks the absence of a basic reality, and one that bears no relation to any reality (is its own pure simulacrum).”
He discussed these phases, and particularly the fourth, in relation to Disneyland and Watergate.
Cited from Grossberg’s Media Making Book, Baudrillard discusses in relation to Disneyland how the whole of America is not in fact ‘real.’
“Disneyland is there to conceal the fact it is the ‘real’ country, all of ‘real’ America, which is Disneyland (just as prisons are there to conceal the fact that it is the social in its entirety, in its banal omnipresence, which is carceral). Disneyland is presented as imaginary in order to make us believe that the rest is real when in fact all of Los Angeles and the America surrounding it are no longer real, but of the order of the hyperreal and of simulation. It is no longer a question of a false representation of reality (ideology), but of concealing the fact that the real is no longer real and thus of saving the reality principle.” (Grossberg et al, 1998, Pages55-57)
Baudrillard claims the difference between an image and reality is no longer important. According to Baudrillard reality is measured against image rather than images against reality.
With the introduction of new technology all the time digital imaging in films is becoming ever more popular. This enables filmmakers to create simulated characters and landscapes easier and more realistic than ever before.
Although digital imaging has been used in films for over 20 years it is still moving forwards and breaking new ground with the majority of films released. A major advantage digital imaging has is once the images are in the digitalised alterations can be made without damaging the original material. Digital imaging also can be replicated without the losing any of its quality.
“The Lord of the Rings” movies are a great example of use of digital imaging to create, virtual characters and landscapes. These films contain a large amount of CGI effects that are done in such a way it makes you think the characters and landscapes created are in fact real, which just goes to show how that easy it is to fake photographs and images if you have the right technology.
Grossberg, L et al (1998) Media Making: Sage
Stevenson, N (1995) Understanding Media Cultures: Sage
