ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN IMAGE MANIPULATION
A limitation of image manipulation techniques is that it could be considered unethical to permanently alter unique, historical images by causing irreversible damage. This is demonstrated in collage where many photographers working in this medium will use vintage images and cut them up to form a new piece of work. This means that the original image in its intended form is lost forever and calls into question whether or not an artist has the right to do this. I will avoid this in my work by using magazine/newspaper clippings which have many copies printed. Also I will only use copies of any unique, physical images I use or by using images online within my collages.
However, taking images from other sources raises another issue as the original images will not be my own which is an ethical issue in terms of authorship. Appropriating other people's work to use in your own work can be seen as unfair as it is not actually your work but credit is taken for it. This is a particular issue when no credit is given to the original producer of the work and the person using it is trying to pass it off as their own. In order to avoid issues of authorship, where possible I will use photographs which I have made myself. Although sometimes this will not be possible as I do intend to appropriate some images, e.g. magazine clippings/film stills, I believe it is ok as long as it is recognised within the project that some of the work I have made has used materials from external sources.
Furthermore, there are issues regarding consent from any subjects that are used in manipulated images as often they are unaware that their portrait has been used. When using people photo-manipulation, it could be argued that it is mandatory to gain their consent to ensure that they are ok with being used in an image. This is particularly important if an artist's work has a particular statement that it is trying to make or uses the image in a way that misrepresents the person in a negative way, as the subject may not feel comfortable with it and should have the right to refuse the use of themselves in a piece of work. However, this refusal cannot happen if they are unaware that they are being used in the first place. Therefore, a person's feelings and reactions needs to be considered, when using an image of them, and any misrepresentation or unease from their part can be avoided by gaining consent.
However, artists have a right to express their views and exercise free speech through their work. It would be wrong to dictate what people can and cannot make and they are free to do so however they want. In altering the image, it takes on a new form an becomes a completely different work which alters the extent of ownership that the original artist has over the new image.
