Once more another digitally altered news photo comes from U.S. Army

[johnastovall]

Another Digitally Altered Department Of Defense Photo; AP Suspends Using Their Hand-Outs

Photoshop is a quick way to get a fourth star.

[mdparthum]

I really don't think it is a big deal. It isn't an event that was altered to be more horrific, it doesn't change the fact that she is still a general, and it was probably done on the fly to get a publicity shot out. The flag looks better than the general sitting at a desk. IMHO!

[johnastovall]

There are generals and generals and a four star is a big deal.

[pepper52]

I don't understand your comment " Photoshop is a quick way to get a fourth star." General Dunwoody has served her country and the miliatry for over 33 years and has the distinction of being the Army's first woman 4 star general. She also holds the distinction of being the first woman to have a battalion command in the 82nd Airborne.

[johnastovall]

Her rank in the photograph her three stars were removed, rather than the PA waiting for her to get and put on the correct insignia and take a current photo with the background they wanted.

My comment was to be ironic as to why they didn't just add the fourth star also while they were changing everything else.

This was put one the news wire as a "new photo" but it violated photojournalism ethics and standards. I would expect the Army's Public Affairs office to uphold those ethics and standards

[Crashoran]

Sounds to me like somebody got lazy and wanted to go home early.

[Daniel Bates]

...or had too much to do and was told to "make it happen".

Just sayin'...

[brad]

It was put out as a "news photo," yes.. but it was also put out as a portrait.. and done where there was a demand for a portrait of her, but there wasn't time to do a new one.

No big deal. Much ado about nothing... there isn't a person in the world that wouldn't look at that and think "Nice digital background."

This kind of furor should be reserved for people who manipulate an image to make or change news. This isn't even worth the bits being wasted on it.

[johnastovall]

AP thought it was worth the furor and pulled it as a violation of their standards and ethics.

[KdLaneJr]

Doesn't say much for AP. The Military services Public Affairs Offices are under no obligation to provide images under AP guidelines.

There is a reason they are called Public Affairs Offices and not Military Newswire.

[JPalmer]

That may be so Ken....

But all of the Public Affairs Offices that I've dealt with are extremely careful to make sure that the media portrays their soldiers in a very specific light... they know and fully understand that staged events or altered photographs are damaging to the media and are not to provide that kind of coverage.

The PAO provided this photo knowing full and well that it wouldn't pass muster... and for that matter, where was the official dress military photo of this general. I know for fact that we have virtually every major officer at Sheppard AFB on file at the paper.

That's what actually bothers me more than anything.... it looks like a freaking myspace photo.

[KdLaneJr]

Jason, I haven't seen the photo so I'll go with what you've said regarding it looking like a myspace photo. Perhaps the PAO had an agenda. Also an interesting point regarding an official dress uniform military photo. I know each command maintains their own, but didn't expect the media to do the same. I know I'm not fond of seeing news with file photo/file footage disclaimers, in print or video.

[DoctorWu]

I'm trying to find the "news" here....this is an insignificant photo thats part of a fluff peice - a public relations press relelease - The picture was included with the release so people could see what General Dunwoody looks like, its a portrait.

This looks more like another case of the Media trying to accuse our armed forces of being part of the "evil empire" that tries to cover up all of their evil deeds. The problem is, I don't see an "evil deed" here.

I think they're just trying to distract us from the REAL NEWS

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

Jason, I haven't seen the photo so I'll go with what you've said regarding it looking like a myspace photo. Perhaps the PAO had an agenda. Also an interesting point regarding an official dress uniform military photo. I know each command maintains their own, but didn't expect the media to do the same. I know I'm not fond of seeing news with file photo/file footage disclaimers, in print or video.

Is it that hard to click the link and see the photos in question?

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

Is it that hard to click the link and see the photos in question?

Actually John, since you asked.., I make it a point to not click on links that you post.