Introduction:
Images are often seen as more trustworthy than words; people
tend to believe what they see more than what they hear. This is not a new
concept; people in the past, much like today, also trusted images, especially
during times when media control and critical awareness were limited. For
example, celebrities may use photo editing to create unrealistic body
standards, while politicians may manipulate images to shape reality and support
their agendas. Similarly, Joseph Stalin used images as a powerful tool
to alter reality, project authority, and maintain control; achieving this
influence long before the existence of modern tools like Photoshop (Blakemore,
2018)
The weapon
During the Great Purge, Joseph Stalin used images to reshape
reality by erasing many of his political enemies from public records. Some of
these individuals had been prominent figures and witnesses to the events of the
purge itself (Blakemore, 2018). The article presents several photographs
showing Stalin standing beside his close associate, Nikolai Yezhov, who was
once considered his right-hand man. When Yezhov fell out of favour, the article
reveals an altered image in which he was completely removed from the photograph
after his arrest and execution (Blakemore, 2018). This practice did not end
with one individual; images were often retouched multiple times as Stalin’s
circle of enemies grew, systematically erasing officials from history as they
were eliminated.
(Mis)Representation
Joseph Stalin was a dictator who controlled how history was
perceived by manipulating images. People were erased from history simply by
being removed from photographs. This practice also created fear among the
public, as Stalin was seen as a powerful figure who could shape opinions and
control perceptions. Images are a powerful tool, and Stalin was fully aware of
this; his use of visual propaganda strongly influenced how people viewed him as
an authoritative and dominant leader. This is also evident in how Stalin
frequently inserted himself into images of important events or retouched
photographs to appear more charismatic and commanding (Blakemore, 2018).
The Meaning of Images
Accessibility and understanding are limited when images lack
context. The example of Joseph Stalin illustrates this point: his manipulated
images erased historical events and created misleading narratives, such as the
staged photograph of Soviet soldiers over the Reichstag during the Battle of
Berlin (Blakemore, 2018). Images do not always reflect the full reality and
must be explained ethically and transparently. For instance, the same footage
can be presented differently by two opposing news channels, shaping contrasting
interpretations. Therefore, images must be accompanied by responsible
explanations to provide accurate and meaningful context.
Applying POUR Principles
|
Principle |
Application
to the Article |
|
Perceivable |
Images were
altered and could mislead the audience. |
|
Operable |
Public was
afraid to question the images, limiting interaction and engagement. |
|
Understandable |
Lack of
context led to misinterpretation of events. |
|
Robust |
Ongoing
alterations contributed to a distorted and misleading historical record. |
References:
Blakemore, E. (2018). How
Photos Became a Weapon in Stalin’s Great Purge - HISTORY. History.
https://www.history.com/news/josef-stalin-great-purge-photo-retouching
