Truth in Photography, explained
R. Ken Cooper • May 3, 2020
Here's how photos can be misleading...
The photo below was taken yesterday, May 2nd @ 12:58pm, at the Cotton Bayou Beach Access in Orange Beach Alabama by Shelley Patterson with C-Shelz Photography.
Anyone looking at this photo would think that this is not the proper social distancing we need to beat the COVID-19 virus, but photos can be deceiving.
(Note: Shelley wanted us to be sure to let everyone know that we asked her to take these ground-level photos at angles to make it look as crowded as possible for the purpose of this article... she did a great job!)
(Note: Shelley wanted us to be sure to let everyone know that we asked her to take these ground-level photos at angles to make it look as crowded as possible for the purpose of this article... she did a great job!)
We've all seen a lot of photos and videos on social media where it looks like people are totally disregarding the proper social distancing rules. Some of these intentionally misleading photos and videos are posted by people in the news media.
Seeing so many of these misleading and deceptive photos and videos is what prompted the idea for this article.
Seeing so many of these misleading and deceptive photos and videos is what prompted the idea for this article.
At 1:16pm, 18 minutes after Shelley's photo, Ben Taylor
captured the drone image below of the exact same beach.
Ben's drone photo shows that the exact same people in the photo above are more than properly social distancing while enjoying the beach, salt air and sunshine. Yes, photos and video can be deceiving.
Which photo do you believe is the most accurate when it comes to showing proper social distancing?
Which photo do you believe is the most accurate when it comes to showing proper social distancing?
Why do misleading photos and videos get posted to social media?
First and foremost, people are shooting photos and videos from ground-level. Most people are not trying to intentionally mislead anyone with the photos and videos they're sharing. It's just the perspective they have on any particular scene. And as you can see from the two photos above, a ground-level perspective can be deceiving.
Another reason some people post photos and videos that are misleading is to intentionally stir people's emotions and upset them enough to click on their links and to get them to share their "news articles". This is referred to as "click-bait".
The more views commercial websites get on their pages the more money they make from their advertisers. Sadly some are willing to mislead people just to make more money.
Another reason some people post photos and videos that are misleading is to intentionally stir people's emotions and upset them enough to click on their links and to get them to share their "news articles". This is referred to as "click-bait".
The more views commercial websites get on their pages the more money they make from their advertisers. Sadly some are willing to mislead people just to make more money.
Below are a few more photos from Saturday at Cotton Bayou Beach.
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Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach officials and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of a new glamping site named "Young's Hideaway" in honor of longtime residents Cecil and Jesse Young. The project adds a unique accommodation option to the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – A new public boat ramp on County Road 6 in Bon Secour was officially opened today during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship.
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Young anglers will have the chance to cast their lines and learn from local experts at the Gulf State Park Kids Surf Fishing Clinic this summer.
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – At around 2:45 a.m., Foley police responded to a burglary call on State Highway 59. Officers found a man inside the business and apprehended him.
The suspect, 52-year-old Patrick Odell Levens from Pensacola, Florida, had used a power tool to cut a hole in the back wall to get inside.
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach City Schools and the Mako Academics, Arts, and Athletics Club have announced a major new sponsor.
Perdido Beach Resort pledged to be a Diamond Level Sponsor for the 2025-2026 school year.
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The popular Good Life Ride cycling event is set to return to Gulf State Park on May 10, 2025. The annual event, which attracts cycling enthusiasts from across the Southeast, will feature multiple route options designed to showcase the natural beauty of Alabama's coastal region.
Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – Travel on West Peachtree Avenue will soon be smoother after the Foley City Council approved road repairs. The council voted to fix the road near Foley Airport last week. Jeff Phillips, the city construction projects manager, explained that collapsed metal storm drainage pipes buried alongside the road had damaged the street.
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Orange Beach City Schools has appointed Chris Laatsch as their new Assistant Athletic Director. The announcement came Wednesday as school officials welcomed the veteran coach to his expanded role within the athletics program.
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – An unusual discovery was made on the beaches of Gulf Shores last week. A funeral urn containing human ashes washed ashore after apparently being released into the Gulf of Mexico.
Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is inviting kids to experience a summer of adventure through its 2025 Zoo Camp program. The camp will give young animal lovers a hands-on opportunity to learn about wildlife and conservation.
