In Our Own Image Reading Response

By the term “fluidity of the digital,” I believe Ritchin is referring to how easily images and digital media can be manipulated. In the past, photography was used to capture raw, genuine moments, providing the most authentic account of events without firsthand experience. Nowadays, while some photographers still aim to capture unaltered and genuine images, many photos are edited or photoshopped to serve a particular agenda. A good example of this is the instance mentioned in the text, where photos of OJ Simpson were edited to appear darker, influencing viewers to perceive him as more of a criminal.

It used to be believed that “how can we confirm something happened without photographic evidence.” This sentiment still holds true, as people continue to rely on images to corroborate events, such as in legal cases or to verify someone’s whereabouts. However, I would argue that it has become less reliable in representing reality nowadays due to the widespread popularity and accessibility of editing and photo manipulation. A prime example of this can be seen on Instagram, where almost all influencers post a multitude of edited photos, presenting them as accurate representations of their appearance. However, when encountered in person, many influencers look significantly different. In these cases, I would say that digital media is not reliable in capturing reality, as the difference between how they look in images and in real life is substantial. Editing and manipulation are not limited to photography; they are evident in all forms of media, including videos, books, plays, and even games. Everything is created and altered to fit a particular agenda. Books are written from the author’s perspective and knowledge, videos are recorded and edited through the videographer’s lens, and games are developed based on the story and imagination of the writers. Due to the prevalence of manipulations in digital media, it is crucial that people remain vigilant when consuming media, approaching everything with skepticism and using critical thinking to evaluate its authenticity.