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Another View of North Korea's Kim
BBC suggests the photo may have been doctored. Kim may be sick, but the inconsistencies in the photo analysis raise more questions.
It may be true that the photo has been changed, but there are some other issues to consider. There's been some attention brought to the "missing" line and "different" shadow on the wall.
There are some different ways to explain the photo retouching.
Second Row Shadow Angle: First, notice the shadows on the second row of military uniforms, behind Kim. The size of the shadows to the right of Kim are the same angle: Measure the angle from the officer's heads to the shadows on the second row. The angle is the same on Kim, and the two offices to his right and left. This suggests the photo's original shadows have not been adjusted, and that Kim was not standing on a box.
If Kim's image were added, this would require a second level of pixel changes on the officer uniforms behind him, unless the person standing in for Kim were the same height.
Difficulty Matching Colors: Skin Tone: Second, notice the relative brightness, color and angle of the sun on Kim's face; and compare those with the military personnel to his right and left. We should see evidence on Kim's face that the color was changed to match the color on the military personnel; or see the opposite, evidence the adjancent faces were adjusted to match Kim's.
Civilian Slack Shadow Vs. Military Trousers Shadow: We don't have enough information to know the angle of Kim's slacks as they drape across his legs. However, it appears the military officer's pants are not straight nor neatly pressed.
Although the shadow angle behind their trousers (appears to be) different, the analysis fails to explain the similar skin tone on the three people. But notice the angle of the shadow on the pant trousers two-officers over, to Kim's left, our right. The same "problem angle" also appears. It's possible the "problem shadow angle" relates to the puffiness of the officer's military trousers.
Third, let's suppose the line on the wall was deleted: Why is that a problem?
Fourth, is it possible the pixels around the shoes were changed because they added more shine to his shoes?
It may be true that the photo has been changed, but there are some other issues to consider. There's been some attention brought to the "missing" line and "different" shadow on the wall.
There are some different ways to explain the photo retouching.
Second Row Shadow Angle: First, notice the shadows on the second row of military uniforms, behind Kim. The size of the shadows to the right of Kim are the same angle: Measure the angle from the officer's heads to the shadows on the second row. The angle is the same on Kim, and the two offices to his right and left. This suggests the photo's original shadows have not been adjusted, and that Kim was not standing on a box.
If Kim's image were added, this would require a second level of pixel changes on the officer uniforms behind him, unless the person standing in for Kim were the same height.
Difficulty Matching Colors: Skin Tone: Second, notice the relative brightness, color and angle of the sun on Kim's face; and compare those with the military personnel to his right and left. We should see evidence on Kim's face that the color was changed to match the color on the military personnel; or see the opposite, evidence the adjancent faces were adjusted to match Kim's.
Civilian Slack Shadow Vs. Military Trousers Shadow: We don't have enough information to know the angle of Kim's slacks as they drape across his legs. However, it appears the military officer's pants are not straight nor neatly pressed.
Although the shadow angle behind their trousers (appears to be) different, the analysis fails to explain the similar skin tone on the three people. But notice the angle of the shadow on the pant trousers two-officers over, to Kim's left, our right. The same "problem angle" also appears. It's possible the "problem shadow angle" relates to the puffiness of the officer's military trousers.
Third, let's suppose the line on the wall was deleted: Why is that a problem?
Fourth, is it possible the pixels around the shoes were changed because they added more shine to his shoes?
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Occasionally, there are news stories about children found locked away for years - caked in filth and unable to communicate. I've often wondered about the type of person who could do that to another human being, especially ones so helpless. I've always considered the North Korean regime cut from the same cloth as these monsters - on a much grander scale, of course. In its absolute obsession to cocoon its citizens from the outside world, it appears as paranoid and sociopathic as it is cruel and backward. We are left to reading tea leaves - or photo pixels - for any indication of life breathing behind its hard concrete facade.
November 7, 2008 7:15 PM | Reply | Permalink