These are photos I taken by me over the past few months using my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone and then auto enhanced by Google. Now, I am the first to admit that the images are often unique and striking, some even better than the originals. Others leave me wondering what the heck and why that one?
However, I am not sure how I feel about some large corporation that has access to my personal photos to edit, manipulate and change how they desire and see fit.
Especially those of family and friends. Why are certain photos chosen and not others? Not to mention the videos composed of several photos put together, which I did not share any of those. Does anyone know the why of this or is it some secret algorithms like Facebook uses? Makes me think that this may be too much of a good thing? Is big brother watching? Are we being manipulated?
Our every keystroke, every WordPress like and comment, every Google+ comment and plus, every Facebook like and comment, every Twitter tweet, all being captured, stored and categorized. The technology is a wonderful tool and can truly be used for positive and noble pursuits. I have met some wonderful people online that I otherwise would never have known. There is a power in being able to connect with people all over the world, but that power in the wrong hands…Â
Where are we headed? What do you think?
You raise some important questions. Because people’s photos shouldn’t be taken and used by anyone unless that person gives permission. But, then again, when we put something out in a medium like the internet we have to understand, it really isn’t private – and to expect that – especially in social medium, is expecting a lot. Considering companies and even the government can’t protect highly “secure” sites. In a way we could look at it on the positive side, that we can be open and share with the world. Because in the end, all of these material manifestations will be gone and all that will be left will be the memories of us, that may be preserved in photos we took.
So true, we accept the potential negatives in order to put ourselves out there, sharing our lives and art. I am very particular about what photos I actually share on my social sites, but … like you say, nothing is really private and secure on the internet. But hopefully some things will touch someone else sending out ripples of goodwill. Thanks for commenting, I take the bad with the good and just keep trying to shine a light!