Photo Fakery: The History and Techniques of Photographic Deception and Manipulation

Rating:
Summary: Pictures Worth 10,000 of These Words
Review: A fascinating look at all types of photo manipulation, from Communist propaganda to fashion magazines. The book is hard to put down if you have any interest in the ways in which the photographic medium has been used to fool the gullible. The sad story of faked photos of MIA/POWs in Southeast Asia was particularly interesting. My only complaint is that the book seems a little pricey for something short enough to be read in one day w/out much effort.

Rating:
Summary: pricey, but good
Review: A fascinating look at all types of photo manipulation, from Communist propaganda to fashion magazines. The book is hard to put down if you have any interest in the ways in which the photographic medium has been used to fool the gullible. The sad story of faked photos of MIA/POWs in Southeast Asia was particularly interesting. My only complaint is that the book seems a little pricey for something short enough to be read in one day w/out much effort.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent and Absolutely Fascinating!
Review: After seeing a C-Span program where the Author showed slides of actual, then altered photos from the book, I was so fascinated that I went out the next morning and bought the book, and it was BETTER than I expected! I found it so amazing that even back in the 1860's, this kind of thing could be done. Absolutely a MUST-HAVE book for history buffs!

Rating:
Summary: Pictures Worth 10,000 of These Words
Review: Fasciniating subject; full of very interesting photos; but the prose is dull.

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Summary: Slick Photos Reveal Slippery Deceit
Review: Given that photo fakery has been widespread since at least World War One, it is amazing that so few books have covered this topic in depth. The author's extraordinary techniques of photometric analysis are worth studying, and his descriptions of tampered photos are incredible! Basically, I wonder about the credibility of the major US news maagazines just as much as I marvel at the handiwork of the former East Germany, Soviet Union, and even China--they regularly manipulate photos, just in different ways. This fine book gives new meaning to the term "pictures don't lie".

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Summary: What You See Is Not Always What You Think
Review: If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a faked picture is worth a thousand lies. The author uncovers faked photos from the civil war to the Clinton Administration. In an easy to read and understanding style, Brugioni uses his CIA photo interpreter experience to expose manipulated photos used to influence public thinking. The non-photgrapher as well as the pro will appreciate and more than not become alarmed at the lies both domestic and foregin governments have used to influence citizens. Once you read this book you will never look at another photograph without questioning its validity.

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Summary: Thoughtful Book
Review: People are generally aware about how facts can be distorted and misrepresented in the text and art media but tend to be less familiar with how easily photographs can be altered for the purposes of deception. In fact, many people give too much credibility to photographs because they assume that photographs always present scenes realistically. Mr. Brugioni shows not only how easily photographs are altered to distort the truth, he also conveys an idea of how widespread the practice of photo manipulation is in the modern media. I recommend this book strongly for people who are interested in media ethics or want to better understand the role of images in communication by governments, advertisers, and news organizations.

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Summary: don't believe everything you see
Review: This book is fairly comprehensive (he even discusses morphing in film and video, along with the legal aspects of altering photographs) and absolutely fascinating, though I would have liked to see him go into more depth regarding UFOs and photos of anomalous creatures (there is only one photo of a stupid-looking "sea monster" when he could have had his pick from dozens of photos of Nessie, Yeti, aliens, etc). He also claims the infamous photo of Lee Harvey Oswald holding the rifle and pamphlets was not faked in any way (the author used to work for the CIA-- conspiracy theorists can make of that what they will). Definitely worth a read. ...

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: This is a fascinating book. After reading it, I found myself searching through the newspaper and magazines trying to find faked photos. It really makes you wonder about how much the media has been truthful with us over the years, and what the real story behind some of the world's most famous photos is. Definitely recommended for the novice and expert alike.

Rating:
Summary: Fasinating
Review: This was very entertaining and caught my attention. It opened my eyes to a lot of tricks in photography that we tend to miss.

I think this is a book that all digital artists should read. It would show them what not to do.