Readers who go into serious photojournalism are advised to read the World Press Research Project Report by Dr. David Campbell on The Integrity of the Image. As the introduction to the report states: “The status of the photographic image as a source of information has been questioned since the invention of photography…This questioning of the status of photography increased in intensity with the advent of digital technology.” Given the problems of photo manipulation that has plagued news sources for sometime now, the research aimed to record as comprehensively as possible, what members of the photojournalism community are thinking about the issue of manipulation, and how they deal with it. While the paper stops short of recommending standards for organizations to adapt, it is still a very informative read regarding problems facing today’s photojournalists. The 21-page report tackles topics such as the meaning and history of manipulation, impact of the digital revolution, accepted standards and practices, and detecting and verification of manipulation. In conclusion, the paper states: “Given a more comprehensive study of digital photography as computational —a process in which there is no original image, and all images inescapably depend on processing—the research calls into serious question the continued validity of the darkroom analogy for directing contemporary debate about manipulation. Access the report through the site contents of www.worldpressphoto.org or by simply looking up the title on Google.
Untitled (Leo Jhay David)
Winter Love (Japol Oraña)
Untitled (Bert Andone)
Smoke (Ryan Paolo N. Marto)
Agsapa (Brian Maglaya)
Yolo (Mark Jayson Cruz)
Package from Heaven (Joven Prosper Villanueva)
Lawa sa Siyudad (Marvin Fernandez)
Tired si Direk (Koni Gutierrez-Cruz)
Siesta (Andrea Faye Dizon)
After Snowden’s expose on the massive surveillance being done by the U.S. and other governments, many have become acutely aware of their privacy and security. To thwart government spying, Amnesty International, a well-known human rights advocate has come up with a downloadable anti-surveillance tool which aims for people to use as a “strike back” against governments that have overextended their reach. The free tool is called “Detekt” and is available for download (27mb) at https://resistsurveillance.org/. It is not foolproof but it can detect the likes of FinSpy, a surveillance spyware developed by German firm FinFisher and used by governments and companies.
Still on security, readers can check if their email account has been compromised in a data breach. Go to the site https://haveibeenpwned.com/, type in your email address or user name and click on the “pwned?” button. The quick results inform you if you have been pwned and on how many breached sites. A “breach” is an incident where a site’s data has been illegally accessed by hackers and then released publicly. A pwned email address needs to take appropriate action, such as changing passwords.
And now to our featured readers.
Ryan Paolo N. Marto, a junior college student of Columban College sent in the photo, “Smoke.” He writes about the photo: “Took this photo during our Nature Photo Walk held at Pamulaklakin Forest Trail, Subic Bay Freeport Zone headed by the Subic Bay Photography Society group. The theme was to make people aware and help conserve the wonders of nature not only here at Subic Bay Freeport Zone but also in different places. Dominador is the leader of the Pastolan Aeta Village and a very well-known Aeta here in Subic. He has been featured in Discovery Channel and Amazing Race Philippines. He is a jungle survival expert who demonstrates his skills and teaches a thing or two on how to survive in the jungle. Even though he is an Aeta, he is very fluent in speaking English, probably because many of the tourists that go to Pamulaklakin Forest Trail are foreigners. That’s a good thing for they could understand each other, especially when Dominador is demonstrating his knowledge about jungle survival. In this photo, Dominador himself is blowing the ground bamboo bark in which a fire has been made after his demonstration.”
Also featured for the first time in this column is layout artist Leo Jhay David, who submitted an untitled photo, taken in Coron, Palawan.
Other photos on today’s page come from previously featured readers, some of whom have become regular contributors.
Andrea Faye Dizon, Mass Communication student of New Era University sent in the photo of cats titled “Siesta.” She shares: “I am a photo enthusiast since high school and fond of joining photo journalism and photography competitions even without a DSLR, because I believe that passion is always the best tool.”
“Tired si Direk” comes from Koni Gutierrez-Cruz, assistant professor II at the Bataan Peninsula State University. Koni took the photo during a conference in Davao.
“Sharing this photo entitled ‘YOLO’ which means You Only Live Once,” Mark Jayson Cruz writes. “This shot was taken during the 7th annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk of our group in Bulacan. We are the Focus Bulacan group. It’s my first time to join this photo walk with the group at sobrang daming karanasan ang hindi ko makakalimutan sa activity namin na ginanap sa bayan ng Hagonoy, Bulacan noong nakaraang Oktubre 11, 2014.” About the photo, he adds: “Dito makikita natin sa larawan na ang lahat ay may ngiti sa kanilang mga mata na parang walang mababakas na problema silang dinadala sa hirap ng buhay. Masaya silang humarap sa kamera na para bang may gustong paratingin na wala ng bukas. Ngitian lang ang problema lilipas din yan, at magiging ayos din ang lahat. Sa aking pagkakaalam po, sila po ay mga tricycle driver na malapit sa pondohan ng isda sa Hagonoy kung saan maraming maraming taong namimili ng mga sariwang isda na binabagsak para itinda sa palengke.”
Brian Maglaya explains that “Agsapa,” his photo’s title is an Ilocano word which means early morning. He took the photo in Brgy. Beddeng, San Narciso, Zambales.
About his untitled Dinagyang photo, Bert Andone shares: “Photographing moving subjects is quite difficult. It requires right timing for a perfect shot, and if you have that perfect opportunity, seize the moment and shoot. Shot during Dinagyang Festival 2014, I was lucky to have this tribe warrior looking toward me. It’s perfect time to click the button and shoot.”
“Some people love winter because it gives reasons to cuddle,” writes Japol Oroña. “As for me, I just like the look of winter but definitely hate the temperature. This (untitled) photo of lovers was taken during winter time in Beijing City.”
Joven Prosper Villanueva sent in a baby’s portrait titled “Package from Heaven.” And Marvin Fernandez submitted “Lawa sa Siyudad” taken at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center.
A happy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year to all! Have lots of fun but keep safe tomorrow evening.
Readers may now view issues of Picture Perfect including this column with the pictures at www.mbpictureperfect.com.
For comments, suggestions or just to share an image or idea, email rfyparedes@yahoo.com.