PHOTOGRAPHY

Kate’s wasn’t the first royal photo to be edited, Times archive shows

Michael-John Jennings, News UK’s content specialist, delves deep into the photographic archive, explaining how images have always been tweaked as well as showcasing early shots of George Galloway, Diane Abbott and Mick Jagger

Photographs have been retouched and edited since photography began — older notable occasions are an example of this, such as the marriage of the Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923
Photographs have been retouched and edited since photography began — older notable occasions are an example of this, such as the marriage of the Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923
GRAPHIC UNION/TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD
Michael-John Jennings
The Times

One photograph led the headlines this month as leading news agencies withdrew an image of the Princess of Wales, citing concerns over image manipulation. The Associated Press confirmed: “At closer inspection, it appears that the source has manipulated the image.”

Photo manipulation has existed since the beginning of photography — only the methods have changed. Early examples from our archive include prints from the royal wedding of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and the Duke of York in 1923.

Analogue techniques involved inks or paints being applied directly on to prints, often to crop images, enhance highlights or even to remove people visible in the background — as in this second image — before going to press.

Elements behind the future Queen Elizabeth and parts of her wedding outfit were retouched in this image
Elements behind the future Queen Elizabeth and parts of her wedding outfit were retouched in this image
GRAPHIC UNION/TIMES NEWSPAPERS LTD

The Times published an exclusive portrait of the royal couple