Edward Curtis often removed contemporary elements from his photographs to create a timeless image of Native Americans. What are the risks of erasing signs of modern life in images of real people? How might these choices shape how others understand a culture? by Kathryn Mayo

2025-04-30 02:34:28 UTC

Erasing signs of modern day life in images of real people is not realistic. It gives the impression to others that people, cultures, and society don’t evolve. Photographs should capture milestones and memories, past and present, with and without contemporary elements. These choices can distort cultural reality and lead to stereotypes and promote a lack of appreciation for the culture.

Removing from photos

2025-11-24 23:55:06 UTC

It’s normal to want to remove distractions from photos to make them more visually appealing, e.g., acne from a teen’s face or a garbage can from behind a model. However, when a photographer takes what is intended to be historical photos and they make mistakes, either by adding errors (wrong clothing in staged photos) or removing things (signs of current technology), the photographer is in serious danger of history revision. This practice can easily mislead people, in the present and the future, into assumptions that are false.

I think all art shows a subjective truth

2025-11-25 12:12:07 UTC

2025-11-28 07:10:22 UTC

Erasing signs of modern life in images of real people doesn't show the truth, basically can lead people to misinterpret the past. They are taking away pieces from the photo that could show the culture of the person in the center piece.

2025-11-28 20:37:22 UTC

Erasing modern updated elements can make a culture look stuck in the past, which creates stereotypes and ignores real change. It can also hide the community’s actual experiences, struggles, and growth. These choices can lead viewers to misunderstand the culture as “unchanging” instead of dynamic and alive.

2026-04-27 17:53:19 UTC

Photography has changed from the early days to modern times. By looking at historical images it is irresponsible for one to stage a photograph with the incorrect clothing or regalia. For instance, placing a head dress on all indigenous males is incorrect. Only those earning the right to have a particular regalia may present that way to their tribe and others. This misleads the viewers in their interpretation and understanding of the cultural differences and struggles. In today’s world it occurs more frequently yet more are outspoken regarding misappropriation.

2026-04-28 18:37:12 UTC

i think this can cause an issue due to it not being the "entire truth" seeing a phot often we think of it as it capturing a specific moment in time as is and I think that when you start removing things from a photo especially modern subjects can take away some of the realness a photo does.

2026-05-01 08:42:10 UTC

Erasing modern stuff from photos can totally change how people see a culture because it makes everything look older than it really was. It can end up giving the wrong idea, like the culture never grew or changed. I feel like it’s risky because people might believe that edited version instead of the real story.