Since the last time.....

I read a news story recently about the record sale of a very early photograph, auctioned for a staggering amount of money. It made me wonder whether a digitally captured or created image would ever command such a price. Indeed whether digital image making will ever be seen in the same light (pardon the pun) as traditional photography.

Not so long ago I entered an image that I took using a digital camera and prepared using Adobe Photoshop into an exhibition of mixed media art that included paintings, sculpture and photography to name but a few. The adjustments made to the picture were straightforward and could have been reproduced in a traditional darkroom with a little effort; nonetheless it was still a ‘digital’ image. On the opening night two artists who were exhibiting paintings in the show approached me. They were both very kind, commenting on my photograph saying things like how wonderful the colour was and how the image had such impact etc, etc. After a short while one of the two asked how I had produced the image. It was then that things started to go wrong because I made the mistake of using the word ‘digital’ when describing what I had done. The effect was almost instantaneous and I have never before or since witnessed such sudden disinterest in a subject that moments ago was the hot topic of conversation. It didn’t take long for them to make their excuses and move on but as they left one turned to me and said rather condescendingly, “Well at least I can see what you were trying to do”. I don’t know whether it’s the fear of the unknown that causes this sort of reaction or whether it’s the misconception that somehow if it’s digital it’s easy, just press a button and hey presto!

I think perhaps there’s also a trust factor involved. Digital imaging means that it’s possible to do almost anything with a picture and perhaps as a result we no longer trust the images we see as being real. I’ve had a few experiences when being in the right place at the right time has resulted in an image that later no one believes is real. Here’s the thing I think we sometimes forget though; image manipulation has been going on for centuries. In the days of yore producing a realistic but unflattering portrait of the King or Queen could well end with your head on a spike.