Kerry Photo Altered, Used for Political Attack (FR, Registered Mentioned)

Berkeley Daily Planet ^ | February 17, 2004 | Richard Brenneman

[Timesink]

A UC Berkeley journalism lecturer's 32-year-old photograph of future Democratic U.S. Senator and presidential candidate John Kerry has wound up in a forgery that suckered the New York Times.

Ken Light, head of the photojournalism program at UCB's Graduate School of Journalism, has found himself in the eye of a media and Internet storm after a clever forger inserted an image of Jane Fonda alongside his image of Kerry and posted the composite on the Internet.

[altura]

Oh, well, Registered does it all the time for a joke.

Problem: he's too good.

And I said all along it should never be used except when clearly identified as a composite.

[Hon]

"There was no premeditated effort to spoof the media."

Again, you are misinformed.

This was a premeditated effort to hoax the media. Registered has admitted this privately, and I believe even publicly.

You need to study up on the matter, apparently.

[diotima]

Actually, I don't because I am talking to him right now and as I posted to you.

And please, your "concern" for FR is really, really touching.

[MineralMan]

Just a thought regarding these clever photo manipulations:

Since photos posted here are seen by many, including lurkers who nobody even knows, perhaps there should be some sort of mention of their altered nature when they first appear, not in text, but imbedded in the photo.

Problem is that such photos are widely grabbed and posted elsewhere almost as soon as they appear. Someone coming to FR and doing a little reading would soon learn that they are not real photos. Someone encountering such a photo elsewhere on the web, but which first appeared here on FR, might not have access to that information.

These photos are funny, great political satire, and useful as funny political satire. When they appear elsewhere, especially linked back to FR, they are an embarrassment, or at least a potential embarrassment.

[Hon]

"And please, your "concern" for FR is really, really touching."

Thank you. Yes, my concern for FR goes a long way back. Long before your arrival, I believe.

[gathersnomoss]

Kerry and Fonda doing Simon and Garfunkle. What a concert event.

[Hon]

"Actually, I don't because I am talking to him right now and as I posted to you."

I hope you don't mean to imply that Registered is denying that this was an intentional and premeditated hoax?

I and others have messages from him which prove the contrary.

[Spiff]

I've seen the original NYT story from the 13th. However, there is mention of a NYT correction on the 14th wherein the fake photo is discussed as fake. Yet, I can't find such an article.

[mewzilla]

I am laughing so hard. The media is too lazy to check sources and pics...and they blame others?

Gee, you'd think they'd know better than to shoot the messenger...

My compliments to our talented Registered.

Ditto!

[VadeRetro]

Light was a 20-year-old photographer when he captured a sober-looking Kerry addressing a crowd of Vietnam War protesters in Mineola, New York, wearing the anguished Lincolnesque expression that's become a virtual trademark.

Anguished? Lincolnesque? Looks like pure disdain to me. "Why am I always having to address myself to these awful commoners?"

[Quilla]

One can catch more flies with honey.

[Hon]

Why are you trying to change the subject from the topic of this thread and what Registered did?

[dead]

I knew it was faked when I saw (After closer inspection) what Fonda was wearing and knew that that style of clothing wasn't yet popular.

Wow! I’ll bet even Mr. Blackwell and Joan Rivers combined couldn’t distinguish a circa 1970 schmata from a circa 1971 schmata.

You’re amazing!

[Scenic Sounds]

It's just art!!

Of course, in the Middle Ages they might have burned Registered at the stake for it, but freedom is catching on everywhere.

This technology is getting good, though. Soon, a presidential candidate will never have to leave home and he'll still be able to blanket the media with footage of him wading through cheering crowds and kissing babies who were never really born.

Cool. ;-)

[AmericanVictory]

Does that mean that the NYT is clueless?

[Ruth A.]

Looks like a boy again? More like, he looks 50 again.

[RandallFlagg]

In all honesty, I saw what Fonda was wearing and thought it was a pic taken in the early eighties. I had no idea (until recently) that it was an older pic. They just didn't match up to me.

[McGruff]

Does anybody doubt that these two photos were taken on the same day at the same event?

If not, what was Kerry doing there, trolling for interns?