I have watched this thread with rapt attention! I even agree with both sides in this issue! Casey's colorizing of #375 is actually very well done. I'm sure that there are some "mistakes" in the color scheme but it's the idea of colorizing that is the crux of the debate! (I'll get to photo shopping in a minute..)
Why shouldn't we employ our technology to try and enhance our understanding of history? If the great photographers of the 19th century had the resources to take a color photo would they have utilized it? In this case, the images that have been caught represented the pinacle of photographic technology.
Please don't misunderstand me, I have no problem with someone trying to provide a better understanding of history by using current technology to provide the "extra" dimension of color as long as it is represented as such!
Now, photo shopping a completely different immage and passing it off as original....nope! I don't have a problem with it in general but I can definitely see the potential for misuse!
Let's put this one in an ethical perspective: Let's say we have an historic railroad that had a magnificent vista and a spot that pictures could be taken of the trains that was world famous. Now, let's say Walmart manages to convince the powers that be to let them build one of their superstores right in a spot that will include it in the picture.
You now have a choice.
A.Do you sigh and bemoan the loss of that scenic location for pictures and look elsewhere?
B.Do you still take the pictures but decide to leave the hideously ugly Walmart complex in the picture?
C.Do you take the pictures but utilize a digital photoshop program to "remove" the Walmart complex thus making your picture much nicer to view but inaccurate?
D.Do you do the same as option C. but include the information that this image has been altered by digital manipulation?
Now, let's throw one more detail into this scenario: You are the promoters of this railroad and you want to use this exact site for a promotional picture. You could avoid the question by using an older photo but that brings up another ethical question! For this post let's stipulate that a new photo must be used. Which option would you choose?
