Photography like painting could reproduce the impression given by reality. But that is not necessary. The photography learned to lie long before the era of digital cameras and Photoshop had started. From the early 1860s photo manipulation (retouching) is considered as an allowable and desirable way to improve a picture or photograph.
Some time ago I discovered a lovely nudist image ‘Tobago Cays Dipping‘ by SunCat. It could serve as a great desktop wallpaper, I thought then.
Tobago Cays Dipping by SunCat
Describing this photo, SunCat writes: `Not an official nude beach, but the locals are very nude tolerant‘. All his photostream is full of wonderful shots and definitely deserves attention.
The Cover
Nice image, but it can be improved, of course. A month ago or something I came across the site promoting the book called ‘The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts’. The book was compiled by an international team of writers and photographers and published in the UK by Lifestyle Press Ltd. This book undoubtedly might be interesting and helpful. But take a look at the cover of this exciting and modern guide.
Peer at the photo at the bottom and compare it with the first one.
The World's Best Nude Beaches and Resorts
I shall not guess what image is original and who holds the rights to it. (I don’t know whether the author has given a permission to use and manipulate his photo.) I just want to say that one of these images is distinct from reality reflected in another.
Hi.
Thanks for the kind words about my modest flickr stream.
The photo you reference does make a good example of how often things are manipulated for publication. I had thought about removing the ugly red stripes from the palm trees, but had never gotten around to it. I’m glad the photo editor for the book took care of that problem before printing. The other edits do provide a good illustration about marketing vs. reality. Removing potentially recognizable faces makes sense from a liability point of view, but the addition of two additional people was done purely for marketing purposes (it seems the US prefers cheeky photos)
-Kevin
You are welcome and thank you for your response. It’s great to learn the story behind your picture from the first hand!
[...] This leads us again to the discussion on reality in photography. [...]