Press Photographs Painted Pictures which DO Lie by Jim Linderman

Press photographs were a staple of the publishing business for a century. Today, digital images are used for both print and on-line photos, but until very recently a black and white glossy was produced for each newspaper or magazine image. The original photographs were often cropped and embellished by hand with editor marks, often with white paint and red marker. The many examples in my collection date back to the very early 20th century, not only providing a painterly aspect to a photography collection, but also providing proof pictures DO lie, as enhancement and trickery was as common as a byline. Today press photographs often enter the market as newspaper morgues are cleared out and as magazines go out of business. Often press photographs come from both extinct and current wire services, which are also increasingly, if not already. digital. I value them highly not only for the historical content and insights into the past, but also as utilitarian "paintings" created with the slap-dash speed of a press deadline. The more doctored the better. Who doesn't love a good Lie? Jim Linderman
Early cropped, embellished by hand Press Photographs circa 1920-1935
Collection Jim Linderman.