Media Manipulation for profit and/or politics - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Cynthetiq · 07-10-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

View: In an Iranian Image, a Missile Too Many
Source: NYTimes
posted with the TFP thread generator

In an Iranian Image, a Missile Too Many
July 10, 2008, 9:16 am
In an Iranian Image, a Missile Too Many
By Mike Nizza and Patrick Witty

In the four-missile version of the image released Wednesday by Sepah News, the media arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, two major sections (encircled in red) appear to closely replicate other sections (encircled in orange). (Illustration by The New York Times; photo via Agence France-Presse)

Updated, 1:23 p.m., Agence France-Presse has retracted the image as “apparently digitally altered.”

As news spread across the world of Iran’s provocative missile tests, so did an image of four missiles heading skyward in unison. Unfortunately, it appeared to contain one too many missiles, a point that had not emerged before the photo appeared on the front pages of The Los Angeles Times, The Financial Times, The Chicago Tribune and several other newspapers as well as on BBC News, MSNBC, Yahoo! News, NYTimes.com and many other major news Web sites.

Our homepage at 3:56 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Times, The Palm Beach Post and Chicago Tribune, among others, used the image on the front pages on Thursday.

Agence France-Presse said that it obtained the image from the Web site of Sepah News, the media arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, on Wednesday. But there was no sign of it there later in the day. Today, The Associated Press distributed what appeared to be a nearly identical photo from the same source, but without the fourth missile.

As the above illustration shows, the second missile from the right appears to be the sum of two other missiles in the image. The contours of the billowing smoke match perfectly near the ground, as well in the immediate wake of the missile. Only a small black dot in the reddish area of exhaust seems to differ from the missile to its left, though there are also some slight variations in the color of the smoke and the sky.

Does Iran’s state media use Photoshop? The charge has been leveled before. So far, though, it can’t be said with any certainty whether there is any official Iranian involvement in this instance. Sepah apparently published the three-missile version of the image today without further explanation.

For its part, Agence France-Presse retracted its four-missile version this morning, saying that the image was “apparently digitally altered” by Iranian state media. The fourth missile “has apparently been added in digital retouch to cover a grounded missile that may have failed during the test,” the agency said. Later, it published an article quoting several experts.
Throughout the day, several news sites have taken steps to disown the photograph that they ran on Wednesday, including LATimes.com and MSNBC.com.

In a sentiment no doubt expressed by news organizations everywhere on Wednesday, an MSNBC editor admitted that the four-missile picture was initially welcomed with open arms. “As the media editor working the msnbc.com home page yesterday, I was frustrated with the quality of a fuzzy video image we published of the Iranian missile launch,” Rich Shulman, associate multimedia editor, said. “So I was thrilled when the top image crossed the news wires.”

Top, the image that Agence France-Presse obtained from Sepah News on Wednesday. Below, another image that The Associated Press received from the same source on Thursday.

It's well known for many years that sometimes photos are retouched by news organizations. Some famous photos have been altered like OJ's mugshot.

This is an interesting one because the supposed effect is that it's government propaganda at some level.

I'm not exactly sure what to say about this particular instance, but when I saw the article yesterday, I thought to myself, "Damn that's a lot of missiles being tested at one time."

As photoshopping is becoming very popular, I do enjoy reading the blog Photoshop Disasters which also has more comments on the missle photo.

Please post some others that you find either for profit, or politics.

Willravel · 07-10-2008, 11:43 AM

Pssh, conspiracy theorists are crazy. Don't worry, Popular Mechanics will prove it's authentic soon.

ratbastid · 07-10-2008, 12:49 PM

My only question is--WHICH government is putting this piece of doctored propaganda out? This image is published the very same day Ahmadinejad said that he ruled out war with Israel and the US. Here it is on Fox News! A very sabre-unrattley statement, not at all in keeping with a "i'm in ur launcher, firin' my missils" photoshop.

However, it's very much in the current administration and the Israeli government's interest to have Iran look as belligerant as possible.

Does anybody know the origin of this photo? The photographer or service it's from? Aside, I mean, from the newspapers claiming it's from Iran?

Cynthetiq · 07-10-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbastid

My only question is--WHICH government is putting this piece of doctored propaganda out? This image is published the very same day Ahmadinejad said that he ruled out war with Israel and the US. Here it is on Fox News! A very sabre-unrattley statement, not at all in keeping with a "i'm in ur launcher, firin' my missils" photoshop.

However, it's very much in the current administration and the Israeli government's interest to have Iran look as belligerant as possible.

Does anybody know the origin of this photo? The photographer or service it's from? Aside, I mean, from the newspapers claiming it's from Iran?

I'm not sure, could be JFK or Lee Harvey Oswald band. (they don't sound half bad)

Seriously there is lots of discussion about the origin of the photo but not much verification of it's origin.

Willravel · 07-10-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbastid

However, it's very much in the current administration and the Israeli government's interest to have Iran look as belligerant as possible.

Does anybody know the origin of this photo? The photographer or service it's from? Aside, I mean, from the newspapers claiming it's from Iran?

It's not Iran. Ahmadinejad just said that he's completely ruling out war with the US and Israel, which means they'd be sending a mixed message. The US is notorious for trying to pull this shit. It could be any number of parties.

mixedmedia · 07-10-2008, 01:34 PM

I don't have much of an opinion on the topic, but I can't stop laughing at that Oswald photograph.

Redlemon · 07-10-2008, 02:05 PM

Cyn, that's my favorite photoshop ever. I was thinking about posting it in this thread myself, but couldn't remember where to find it, and then I scrolled down and saw them rockin' out. Thanks!

Redlemon · 07-11-2008, 06:52 AM

My thought on "why"; was the 4th missile a dud? The original photo shows a rocket launcher that did not go off. I think, therefore, that Iran photoshopped the photo, but there was a disconnect between article-writing and the photo-editing.

ngdawg · 07-11-2008, 07:10 AM

OhMahGawd, that Oswald manip is funny as hell!

Photoshopping makes anything possible-I can attest to that wholly. What those guys should have done was not make it so obvious-all that really is is a cut and paste with good lassoing.

(psst-Iran! Next time flip the original and transform those C&P's a little. Flip the image back and no one would have been the wiser.)

Poppinjay · 07-11-2008, 07:20 AM

I CAN HAS CHEESEBURGER?!?!

Willravel · 07-11-2008, 10:43 AM

Here's the actual photo.

Reese · 07-11-2008, 11:28 AM

Weird.. That's the second time I've read about Iran photoshopping stuff..

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/webl...aphy_Bust&only

mixedmedia · 07-11-2008, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

Here's the actual photo.

I love this thread.

ipollux · 07-12-2008, 08:59 PM

I'm a journalist that now works for a mid-sized newspaper. I took a Design/Photoshop course in college, and let me tell you, you can't believe much of anything you see anymore.

Redlemon · 07-13-2008, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipollux

I'm a journalist that now works for a mid-sized newspaper. I took a Design/Photoshop course in college, and let me tell you, you can't believe much of anything you see anymore.

Please, tell us more. An inside view would be most appreciated.

dlish · 07-13-2008, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipollux

I'm a journalist that now works for a mid-sized newspaper. I took a Design/Photoshop course in college, and let me tell you, you can't believe much of anything you see anymore.

im with lemono n this..

please do tell...

Baraka_Guru · 07-13-2008, 07:47 AM

Apparently there is a long history of this.

* * * * *

ipollux · 07-13-2008, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlish

im with lemono n this..

please do tell...

Many newspapers, especially bigger metro ones, hire Photoshop gurus specifically to "edit" photos and get them "ready" for print. These guys pull down $70,000+ a year starting out, and their sole purpose is to make photos look how "the man" wants them to look.

little_tippler · 07-13-2008, 11:55 AM

This thread is amusing though worrying...now I will be totally paranoid when reading any kind of important "bombastic" news with images associated.

I use Photoshop a lot and I have been known to produce this sort of thing...harmless stuff though. For example getting someone in the shot to have their eyes open or not be blurred...I have made up this sort of composition (small groups of people) and had it published in a newspaper at least 3 times. Naughty me. It's not like the people weren't there...the photo just needed help if it was going to get published. I would never do this missile thing though. Heh.

By the way, that clone stamp tool is the shit. I'm tellin' ya.

Tully Mars · 07-13-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ipollux

Many newspapers, especially bigger metro ones, hire Photoshop gurus specifically to "edit" photos and get them "ready" for print. These guys pull down $70,000+ a year starting out, and their sole purpose is to make photos look how "the man" wants them to look.

I wonder what the evolution of this was? Did it start out being "hey can you adjust the contrast so she stands out more, you really can't see the look on her face very well" and end up being "hey is there any way to make OJ's mug shot look a little more evil?"

Or did the computer age simply take folks right to the latter?

percy · 07-13-2008, 02:44 PM

Photoshopping is one thing. Even more impressive though is how the major news media create that same facade,..verbally,..and those that swallow the BS hook, line and sinker.

Cynthetiq · 07-13-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baraka_Guru

Apparently there is a long history of this.

Thanks, that was one of the links I wanted to put in the OP but I couldn't for the life of me remember it. The Kent State reveal was one of the first times I recall thinking that I'm no longer trusting the photos that are in news media.

QuasiMondo · 07-13-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

Here's the actual photo.

Willravel · 07-14-2008, 03:51 PM

It looks like Iran is selling their weapons to ACME!

07-10-2008, 01:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
mixedmedia has all her shots. Location: Florida	I don't have much of an opinion on the topic, but I can't stop laughing at that Oswald photograph. __________________ Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

07-10-2008, 02:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	Cyn, that's my favorite photoshop ever. I was thinking about posting it in this thread myself, but couldn't remember where to find it, and then I scrolled down and saw them rockin' out. Thanks! __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

07-11-2008, 06:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	My thought on "why"; was the 4th missile a dud? The original photo shows a rocket launcher that did not go off. I think, therefore, that Iran photoshopped the photo, but there was a disconnect between article-writing and the photo-editing. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

07-11-2008, 07:20 AM	#10 (permalink)
Poppinjay You had me at hello Location: DC/Coastal VA	I CAN HAS CHEESEBURGER?!?! __________________ I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

07-11-2008, 11:28 AM	#12 (permalink)
Reese Delicious	Weird.. That's the second time I've read about Iran photoshopping stuff.. http://littlegreenfootballs.com/webl...aphy_Bust&only __________________ “It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick” - Dave Barry

07-10-2008, 11:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Pssh, conspiracy theorists are crazy. Don't worry, Popular Mechanics will prove it's authentic soon.

07-10-2008, 12:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	My only question is--WHICH government is putting this piece of doctored propaganda out? This image is published the very same day Ahmadinejad said that he ruled out war with Israel and the US. Here it is on Fox News! A very sabre-unrattley statement, not at all in keeping with a "i'm in ur launcher, firin' my missils" photoshop. However, it's very much in the current administration and the Israeli government's interest to have Iran look as belligerant as possible. Does anybody know the origin of this photo? The photographer or service it's from? Aside, I mean, from the newspapers claiming it's from Iran?

07-11-2008, 07:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	OhMahGawd, that Oswald manip is funny as hell! Photoshopping makes anything possible-I can attest to that wholly. What those guys should have done was not make it so obvious-all that really is is a cut and paste with good lassoing. (psst-Iran! Next time flip the original and transform those C&P's a little. Flip the image back and no one would have been the wiser.)

07-11-2008, 10:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Here's the actual photo.

07-12-2008, 08:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
ipollux Crazy	I'm a journalist that now works for a mid-sized newspaper. I took a Design/Photoshop course in college, and let me tell you, you can't believe much of anything you see anymore.

07-13-2008, 07:47 AM	#17 (permalink)
Baraka_Guru warrior bodhisattva Super Moderator Location: East-central Canada	Apparently there is a long history of this. * * * * * __________________ Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing? —Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön Humankind cannot bear very much reality. —From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot

07-13-2008, 11:55 AM	#19 (permalink)
little_tippler Leaning against the -Sun- Super Moderator Location: on the other side	This thread is amusing though worrying...now I will be totally paranoid when reading any kind of important "bombastic" news with images associated. I use Photoshop a lot and I have been known to produce this sort of thing...harmless stuff though. For example getting someone in the shot to have their eyes open or not be blurred...I have made up this sort of composition (small groups of people) and had it published in a newspaper at least 3 times. Naughty me. It's not like the people weren't there...the photo just needed help if it was going to get published. I would never do this missile thing though. Heh. By the way, that clone stamp tool is the shit. I'm tellin' ya. __________________ Whether we write or speak or do but look We are ever unapparent. What we are Cannot be transfused into word or book. Our soul from us is infinitely far. However much we give our thoughts the will To be our soul and gesture it abroad, Our hearts are incommunicable still. In what we show ourselves we are ignored. The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged By any skill of thought or trick of seeming. Unto our very selves we are abridged When we would utter to our thought our being. We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams, And each to each other dreams of others' dreams. Fernando Pessoa, 1918

07-13-2008, 02:44 PM	#21 (permalink)
percy Addict	Photoshopping is one thing. Even more impressive though is how the major news media create that same facade,..verbally,..and those that swallow the BS hook, line and sinker.

07-14-2008, 03:51 PM	#24 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	It looks like Iran is selling their weapons to ACME!