Truth in Photography ... ?

[TexasTerri]

This photo was posted on a social media platform ... claiming that the “selfie” was taken exactly one month apart... in all my years , even those working as an art director in controlled studio lighting conditions, I understand how difficult it is to duplicate exact lighting and shadows, as well as exact replication of other details

... what are your thoughts on the possibility that someone taking a selfie is able to duplicate the almost exact photo ... I contend that it was probably taken at the same time (slight variation of background) ... and the possible use of a filter to enhance the second photo ...

[Manfred M]

Terry - I have added the image to your posting. Please read the following threads on how to post images here on CiC, for future postings

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HELP THREAD: How can I post images here?

[Manfred M]

In general, if something does not seem quite right, you are probably onto something. Unfortunately, these images are fairly low resolution, so it is harder to see the "breadcrumbs" or clues that the poster left behind.

I would normally try to drill down to look at small details that should have changed between the two images, but have not. Things like small temporary skin blemishes; dry skin, pimples, black heads, etc that should change over time but seem identical between the two images. I would also be looking for signs of aging that we would expect to see in any face over a period of time, like a year.

There are definite signs of retouching on the left image but a poor clone of one hair in both images suggests to me that the images were taken virtually at the same time. The eyebrow shaping is suspicious as well.

[TexasTerri]

... thank you for your reply ... I believe the photos were taken at the same sitting ... not a month later ... there are some very effective apps that can fill in hair, remove zits, even reshape the face ... what I see is an almost exact placement of shadows, exact same expression, and the exact placement of the eye glasses ...

[Stagecoach]

Before I give an opinion, when I have time I'll try superimposing one image over the other

[Manfred M]

I strongly suspect that your impression is correct. There are too many "breadcrumbs" here to suggest these images were taken a year apart.

[TexasTerri]

... ok ... thank you ... ! ... I don’t believe them to be the same photo, but certainly taken at the same time ...

[Manfred M]

... ok ... thank you ... ! ... I don’t believe them to be the same photo, but certainly taken at the same time ...

They are definitely not the same photo.

[TexasTerri]

... that is a given ... the question is ... is it possible to recreate the same atmosphere with the same shadows on the face and angles of all the features including glasses, same smile, same eye placement, etc ... is this possible to recreate, under natural light, at a completely different month, by an individual who is not a photographer, doing a selfie ... or is it possible by happenstance ...

[Manfred M]

... that is a given ... the question is ... is it possible to recreate the same atmosphere with the same shadows on the face and angles of all the features including glasses, same smile, same eye placement, etc ... is this possible to recreate, under natural light, at a completely different month, by an individual who is not a photographer, doing a selfie ... or is it possible by happenstance ...

It takes virtually the same conditions to accurately reproduced the same image. That is why studio photographers shoot in the studio.

In natural light, the situation is far more challenging as duplicating the lighting conditions is more challenging. That being said, the lighting in these two image is not the same; the left hand image is warmer than the right hand one.

In post-production, there is a technique called colour grading that can be used to give images a similar look and feel. It is commonly used in the feature film business. This does require a reasonable level of skill; not something one would normally find in a selfie. That being said, at least the left hand image has been retouched.

[TexasTerri]

It takes virtually the same conditions to accurately reproduced the same image. That is why studio photographers shoot in the studio.

In natural light, the situation is far more challenging as duplicating the lighting conditions is more challenging. That being said, the lighting in these two image is not the same; the left hand image is warmer than the right hand one.

In post-production, there is a technique called colour grading that can be used to give images a similar look and feel. It is commonly used in the feature film business. This does require a reasonable level of skill; not something one would normally find in a selfie. That being said, at least the left hand image has been retouched.

Yes ... I see what you are pointing out ... there are several apps that are available for people taking selfies that can make incredible changes to a person’s looks ... however, this is subtle in differences such as the tone of the skin, the hairline and eyebrows filled in ... these are typical app changes ...

Thank you for you opinions... !

[Stagecoach]

Crop the two faces and put them as layers in PS. With the top layer at 50% opacity align it with the other layer.

It's pretty clever how anyone could take two separate images whether it be 2 minutes or 1 month apart that align so well between glasses, nose, lips and facial blemishes without needing any change to the perspective of one of them. I found it also surprising that certain eyelashes also aligned so well

But then again, I have absolutely no practise let alone expertise in controlled posing for that 'perfect selfie'

[xpatUSA]

... that is a given ... the question is ... is it possible to recreate the same atmosphere with the same shadows on the face and angles of all the features including glasses, same smile, same eye placement, etc ... is this possible to recreate, under natural light, at a completely different month, by an individual who is not a photographer, doing a selfie ... or is it possible by happenstance ...

It seems unlikely, on the face of it (!).

As Grahame [has implied], there are apps that can automatically align images. There are others that can subtract one image from the other. What's left over would give one an idea of how similar the the images are and therefore how unlikely it is that they were shot a month apart. Like, if there's nothing left over the images were identical. Many here could do it, Terri, if you were to post them separately ...

[Stagecoach]

Here are the two images with one being superimposed on the other. Top layer is at 50% opacity and has been rotated, and a slight change to scale only.

[xpatUSA]

Aligned and subtracted with upped contrast:



Make of it what you will - the more the detail, the less alike are the two images ...


Her left eye at 800% Nearest Neighbor:



Images confirmed as different and taken at different times in the same place but how long apart remains moot. Personally, I think quite a short time - not weeks.

Oh for the EXIF - the DNA of images ...

[Stagecoach]

Well, it seems there is no end to learning with photography

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...e.selfie&hl=en

A simple search in Google shows you all those things you thought you never really needed to know

Of secondary interest, what does TRS stand for? Is it 'Trusty Repeatable Selfie'

[TexasTerri]

... I totally agree ... they are way too close in likeness to have been taken at different times ... even the sun lighting conditions would have had to be exactly the same ...

[TexasTerri]

... I see ... thank you for the input ... !

[TexasTerri]

... wow ... practically identical ... ! Amazing...

[TexasTerri]

... amazing ... y’all would make great forensic detectives ... ! ... and maybe you are ... !