Photoshopping History

In the paper “Retouching History: The Modern Falsification of a Civil War Photograph” by Jerome S. Handler and Michael L. Tuite, Jr. the authors examine several versions of a circa 1864 studio photograph, obviously posed, of black Union soldiers with a white officer.  They conclude that subsequently the image was deliberately altered and falsely represented to be a photograph of the 1^st Louisiana Native Guards (Confederate).  They argue that the falsification serves the interests of Neo-Confederates by supporting claims that the Civil War was not about slavery, but about states rights.

In summation, Mr. Handler and Mr. Tuite quote from the August, 2004 issue of Civil War Times Illustrated:

“It is tempting to think of photographs as evidence, documents of what reality was like in some specific time and place. But from the earliest days of camera craft, photographers have been much more than mere recorders. At times, they can be outright masters of illusion.”

Cameras

Dpreview has gotten their mitts on a Fujifilm FinePix X100 and has published a “First Look” here.  At least we now know the critter is for real and some hitherto unconfirmed features are revealed (it does have a flash).

Is it just me or are the new compacts getting more interesting?  Take the Olympus XZ-1 for example.  First there’s the very fast lens, the first compact to ever sport the respected “Zuiko”' designation.  It’s f/1.8 at the 28 mm equivalent and f/2.5 at 112 mm.  Apparently Olympus has also figured out the people will not be using this camera for wildlife or sports photography, so it’s nicely wide and just long enough for general use.  Plus it allows for greater depth of field, something unusual in digicams.

In addition, the XZ-1 has a high sensitivity 10 megapixel (yah!) 1/1.63" CCD; one of the better sensors to appear in a compact.  But that’s not all.  The XZ-1 boasts image stabilization, 100-6400 ISO, the TruPic V processor which is used in the PEN line, 3.0" 621,000 dots display, RAW, a hotshoe and a built-in ND filter.

All this in a package that’s only slightly larger, but more convenient, than a Panasonic LX5 and sells for $499. 

UPDATE:  It slipped by me, but The XZ-1 features the AP-1 accessory port.  It can be used to connect the VF-2 external viewfinder.

Shorpy

A friend of mine recently introduced me to Shorpy.com.  Don’t ask me why it’s called that, but it’s a simply wonderful collection of historic images and getting larger every day.  If you go, be prepared to spend some time there and, perhaps some money on a fine art print.

X100 Mania Continued

Okay, I assume that you have read Sean’s article cited below.  If not, please do so now.

NOW do you understand why the X100 is not “retro”, but a great design? 

Common Sense.2

On January 10, 1776, a pamphlet entitled Common Sense was published anonymously.  Although signed "Written by an Englishman", it was actually written by Thomas Paine.  In it, Paine presented an argument for freedom from English rule.  The question of independence would not be decided until six months later.

Sean Reid authors a highly influential camera review site, Reid Reviews.  He has recently published the first in series of articles on The Luminous Landscape entitled "Common Sense".  Sean's views are revelatory, to say the least.  Especially if you are "right eyed".  Required reading.