Gregory wrote --
>It's not my call, it's yours. But, there are plenty who still believe.
The Phosphene Gate to Paradise
I do think journalistic integrity is important, as is a sense of conveying a realistic view of the situation before the photographer (who brings certain inescapable biases into it). But there are miles between realism, smoke rings, one's honest truth, and *the* truth (assuming there is such a thing). I think the key is to remain true to oneself, and still manage to survive in this rapidly-shifting climate. The world is sub-dividing into a zillion tribes, differences are widening, not lessening. Information is becoming so accessible and common that it has little value. The crisis is the journalists' not the audience's. They've already accepted that Digital collaging/alterations are a fact of life, part of the Nouveau Realite'. In many ways I do not disagree with you, specially in holding to high ideals. I just think that we've long passed the moment when people had doubts about images. They live with simulations (in them ?) every day of their lives.
The preoccupation with reality that journalists and many other ad photogs (they are NOT all liars, btw) have is rapidly acquiring a charming retro patina. The public is way beyond that point, in my humble opinion.
Let me recommend Baudrillard to you (Google away) on this very topic.
THank you for the URLs, I will go through them when I have a little more time, and get back to you on-list.
--- Luis
