The Boer War in the late 19th century marked a turning point. It was the first large-scale conflict documented in photographs. By the time of the Vietnam War, an army of photographers and videographers was capturing the horrors of war, forever altering public perception. These images, from the brutality of trench warfare to the devastating effects of napalm, undoubtedly influenced viewers and sparked calls for peace.

Now, more are rightfully questioning the authenticity and challenges to the truth. However, we need to be aware of those labelling the inconvenient truth as ‘fake news’. Soon after photo film became available to document events, photojournalists were able to document political events, wars and other everyday situations using either single or multiple images. That allowed for public opinion to be influenced and shaped. The digital era puts a camera in everybody’s hands, but being able to shape views is a more challenging task. It also leads to more manipulation, particularly in social media and the arrival of Artificial Intelligence is making it even more challenging.

The use (and misuse) of photographs has a long history, but it was only with President Kennedy in the USA that the first presidential photographer was tasked with documenting the Presidency. Politicians around the world took notice. It also leads to a narrower view as to whom represents the government, few can identify other ministers or politicians besides the PM or President. In a country such as France, few know the PM by name. The President initiates the most important policies and sets the tone. Images are powerful tools to convey their messages and shape their public image.

The power of images, single or in combination is a powerful tool. Photographers can use their camera as a tool to shape or even damage the image of a public figure. In various publications, the legacy of Pete Souza, President Barack Obama's White House photographer, was an excellent example of how the photographer tasked with visually presenting and documenting compared to the portrayal of the Trump presidency. Pete Souza knew how to tell stories with single photographs, and combinations to shape public opinion of a historic, first black, president. A skill that Souza also had applied 25 years earlier to President Ronald Reagan. Good chemistry between the public figure and photographer, unlimited access, and outstanding photographic skills allowed for unparalleled visual documentation in the digital era!

Shaping public opinion with unaltered press photos requires both good photography and photo editing skills. A picture 'worth one thousand words' can be a tiresome, overused, expression, sometimes attributed to Napoleon, who in the absence of cameras used the word 'sketch'. Yet, as professional photojournalists are becoming an endangered species, especially in the age of social media, they play a key role. Most ‘readers’ venture barely beyond photographs and headlines, in photographs and headlines shape public opinion.

Manipulation of photographs (and videos) is nothing new. 'Faking It', a major exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, demonstrated that right from the beginning of photography, photographers manipulated pictures. Often to make skies more dramatic, but by the early 1900s, being 'airbrushed out of history' took shape during Lenin's power in Russia and elevated to an art form during Stalin. 

Yet, the effective use of, sometimes symbolic props, various angles, and lens settings, allows one to convey emotions in close-ups and wide angles can provide context. The interplay between the two angles and camera settings can provide a more dynamic whole to the viewer, even in a static environment. Colour and composition can also be added or subtracted. Only trained eyes may question, elements left out of a photograph, purposefully or not. All of that without ever physically altering an image.

Photographers, particularly those in news media can play an especially significant role in shaping the emotions of viewers and on occasion change the direction of a conflict, such as that terrible scene in the aftermath of a napalm bombing in Vietnam. Nevertheless, viewers should be critical, not just reading stories and looking at images. Viewers should at least keep in mind the simple rule of it being 'too good' or 'too bad' to be true and treat every day as if it is 1 April.