Long before Photoshop or the personal computer came on the scene, photographs have been edited or “improved” upon before being shown to the public. Take a look at this interesting study on Dartmouth’s website that shows photo touch up back to 1860.
(I learned about this here.)
I like seeing examples like these, history is littered with them. I’ve seen references to other images by Brady being set-up or manipulated.
Thanks for sharing
[...] of Photo Two-Twenty has an interesting link to a history of famous photos that have been altered – some P.PS. [...]
I have read that Ansel Adams’ work is so stunning, not only because of his skills behind the camera but the hours put into his work in the dark room. His negatives can only be printed by certain people who have been trained in the same techniques.