Iran: You Suck At Photoshop (updated)

Posted by Xeni Jardin, July 10, 2008 10:29 AM |

Or perhaps the headline of this post should read, "American media: you suck at fact-checking."

Iran's state-run media agency has been accused before of having digitally manipulated images released to foreign media. This week, as word spread of purported missile tests in Iran, the validity of an image of four missiles shooting into the sky turned out to be photoshopped -- but not before a bunch of big news organizations printed it as legit.

From the NYT blog The Lede:

Unfortunately, it appeared to contain one too many missiles, a point that had not emerged before the photo appeared on the front pages of The Los Angeles Times, The Financial Times, The Chicago Tribune and several other newspapers as well as on BBC News, MSNBC, Yahoo! News, NYTimes.com and many other major news Web sites.

Agence France-Presse said that it obtained the image from the Web site of Sepah News, the media arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, on Wednesday. But there was no sign of it there later in the day. Today, The Associated Press distributed what appeared to be a nearly identical photo from the same source, but without the fourth missile.

This morning, Agence France-Presse retracted the image as “apparently digitally altered.”

Here's the caption on the NYT illustration above:

In the four-missile version of the image released Wednesday by Sepah News, the media arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, two major sections (encircled in red) appear to closely replicate other sections (encircled in orange).

Boing Boing readers are invited to further manipulate the image, whip up nuclear cat macros, or create topically specific fan-remixed versions of YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP.

Post links in the comments, and our digital manipulation ambassadors will evaluate as hastily as a nuclear missile seeks the heavens.

UPDATE: And the winner is... BB commenter CORPSE1, who says, "Here's my rendition. I fixed up a number of inaccuracies for them."


UPDATE 2: And the hits keep rolling in. More photoshoppery from BB readers after the jump; I'll update this post as more hijinks ensue.

Below, from BB commenter JIMH.


Below, from BB commenter THEBLUEONE.


Below, from BB commenter BIGROBINAUSTIN.

Below, from BB commenter SQUIRRELMONKEY.

Below, from BB commenter SIMONFT.


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Discussion

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#1 posted by Antinous , July 10, 2008 10:34 AM

If only we could wake up and discover that the Iraq War was just a photoshop hoax.

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#2 posted by Cpt. Tim , July 10, 2008 10:37 AM

I don't see the point of the photoshop. The original picture coveys the same thing but with a wider angle and one less missle (the 4th missle is still on the truck)

I'm going to submit that someone told the photoshopper "here, make this fit in your average news site photo box and make it look fucking awesomely dangerous."

and the guy was like "shit man, whats more dangerous than FOUR missles?" he finished the job and had a delicious lunch.

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#3 posted by Takuan , July 10, 2008 10:38 AM

nahh, but the "election" was

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#4 posted by Another Aaron , July 10, 2008 10:42 AM

Say what you will about this administration (and I will), but who ever doctored that photo is an IDIOT, and if Iran's publicity machine knew it was doctored before they released it, they're idiots.

And I don't see how they couldn't have known it was doctored either.

You know, if you're going to play at the planet's "adult table", you really, really, need to make sure you don't have idiots in your propaganda office.

Take a look at this
#5 posted by jim , July 10, 2008 10:46 AM

I think it's interesting to note that the two photos on the NYTimes website appear to have been taken at slightly different times, as well. In the top, doctored photo, the rocket trails are obviously longer than in the bottom, undoctored one, but the difference in time is likely tenths of a second. I wonder if something else happened with that unfired missile in the bottom photo, like it went in the wrong direction, or exploded on the truck?

Take a look at this
#6 posted by Takuan , July 10, 2008 10:46 AM

the government of Iran are idiots, the people of Iran have the same percentage of idiots as your own country. Think about it.

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#8 posted by Nelson.C , July 10, 2008 10:57 AM

I noticed last night on the video that in one shot there was a missile that stayed on its launcher and wondered about it. I thought that perhaps the missiles were being volleyed and the unlaunched missile was part of the next volley. But if the doctored shot did come out of Iran, then it's suggestive that that was a launch failure. In which case, they've just drawn attention to it.

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#9 posted by ViolettVerq , July 10, 2008 10:58 AM

This looks shopped.

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#10 posted by JenniferFolly , July 10, 2008 10:59 AM

What's the big deal? This is standard operating practice for all countries, particularly in the military realm where misdirection is often desired (e.g., the addition or deletion of elements to mask the true capability).

Take a look at this
#13 posted by Xeni Jardin Author Profile Page, July 10, 2008 11:02 AM

#7GreyNotGrey, not bad! But could you, I don't know, go a little more peanut butter jelly time with it?

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/banana

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#14 posted by IWood , July 10, 2008 11:03 AM

Is that Bigfoot? All the way on the left, next to the edge of the cloud!

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#15 posted by grey not grey , July 10, 2008 11:03 AM

oops, forgot to post the page link for my #7 post there. Sorry.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greynotgrey/2655634249/

Take a look at this
#16 posted by RickB Author Profile Page, July 10, 2008 11:10 AM

It's also an old picture
http://kamangir.net/2008/07/09/fake_pictures_missile_drill/
only carried by Sepah News the Revolutionary Guards media outfit, other Iranian media didn't use the pic, which shows western media were far more easily duped. Perhaps willingly so as it feeds pro-attack paranoia.
Also the reference -nuclear missile seeks the heavens.- while light hearted does obliquely associate Iran with nuclear weapons which they do not have, they don't even have nuclear power yet. Interestingly in this current media landscape Iran is never associated with WMD's because that would make the connection to the lies that preceded the Iraq invasion and make the current propaganda less effective. Despite it being an almost direct replay.

Take a look at this
#18 posted by corpse 1 Author Profile Page, July 10, 2008 11:15 AM

Here's my rendition. I fixed up a number of inaccuracies for them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25087744@N08/2656503704/

Take a look at this
#19 posted by farmerdave , July 10, 2008 11:32 AM

#4: 'You know, if you're going to play at the planet's "adult table", you really, really, need to make sure you don't have idiots in your propaganda office.'

Why? We have one in the oval office.

Take a look at this
#23 posted by Daemon , July 10, 2008 11:44 AM

So it turns out that Iran doesn't actually exist. The entire country is a gian media hoax.

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#24 posted by cinemajay , July 10, 2008 11:50 AM

This is on MSNBC now. They've reiterated the "doctored the photo to hide the fact that the fourth missle failed" theory.

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#25 posted by TheBlueOne , July 10, 2008 11:52 AM

Iran has an entirely new biological weapon system as well:

http://theminiblog.com/files/iranzilla.png

Take a look at this
#26 posted by liberpolly , July 10, 2008 11:56 AM

Why do you attribute this to NYT? This was first reported by LGF, the same people who first reported Dan Rather's "fake but accurate" memo forgery:
http://lttlgrnftblls.cm/rtcl/30600__Mm_t_Fx_Nws#rss

Take a look at this
#27 posted by gabu Author Profile Page, July 10, 2008 11:58 AM

THIS LOOKS SHOPPED. I CAN TELL FROM SOME OF THE PIXELS AND FROM SEEING QUITE A FEW SHOPS IN MY TIME.

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#28 posted by jimh , July 10, 2008 11:58 AM

@theblueone: Awesome.

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#29 posted by The Jones Ultimatum , July 10, 2008 12:00 PM

Good Lord.
That is just too much.

Of course,the signal has been propagated now to the worlds media,and thus into global consciousness so nothing we discuss can change the intended message.

Even though WE KNOW.

The future does indeed look bright...too bright.

Helpful advanced extra terrestrial species,NOW would be a good time to reveal yourselves-as it seems no amount of voting or protests can turn this horror around.

JonesUltimatum,massively cheesed off
(but hopeful as always,that we can somehow reach our potential without killing our brothers and sisters in any foreign land -in fact it may be the only way. )
I am seriously cheesed off with all of this .This is not how we are supposed to live for gods sake.

over and out for tonight.

Meditation required.Rant over.Sorry.

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#31 posted by kyfho23 , July 10, 2008 12:30 PM

Here's the peaceful solution to the Axis of Evil: Have Microsoft,Adobe,and the MPAA sue'em all back to the stone age for piracy.

"The situation is tense in the Persian Gulf as the RIAA today began intercepting oil tankers to collect their fines for 30 million illegal downloads of 'Rock the Casbah'. Sources within the Iranian Government denied the allegations, saying 'They were only in our "shared" folder.'"

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#32 posted by zuzu Author Profile Page, July 10, 2008 12:34 PM

Damn yo, this ran as the front page (above the fold) of this morning's Financial Times.

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#33 posted by mindysan33 Author Profile Page, July 10, 2008 12:35 PM

@Jenniferfolly- couldn't agree more on that point- propaganda is a constant in our lives. Our governments have mutual reasons to keep us antagonized with one another- control. It's all in Foucault, I tells ya!

And does anyone notice this keeps happening with Iran- on both sides. We faked that whole incident with them supposedly threatening us, and they do this crapola, with our media complicit. They want to be a threat, we want them to be a threat. I mean, wouldn't a war be mutually advantageous for US, Israel, and Iran?

"Of course there is no us and them/ but them they do not think the same"

Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or to cry.

Mindy

Take a look at this
#34 posted by mindysan33 Author Profile Page, July 10, 2008 12:37 PM

Oh and @23, Daemon... LOL!

Mindy

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#35 posted by arkizzle , July 10, 2008 12:52 PM

P!ICTBTP

Drink!

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#36 posted by Faustus , July 10, 2008 1:19 PM

@ Arkizzle

What a fantastic code, I'm sure noone will ever be able to tell which post you are referring to. As a good samaritan I implore you, if you're going to drink for every meme, please never visit /b/.

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#37 posted by Antinous , July 10, 2008 1:28 PM

Oh, we know. Welcome to the land of CATFOTFIC and IDCSESU.

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#38 posted by Cpt. Tim , July 10, 2008 1:31 PM

Iran tests its improbability powered missile defense shield.

http://flickr.com/photos/captaintim/2656004457/

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#39 posted by Faustus , July 10, 2008 1:31 PM

Oh, these are harder. Now what use is my sarcasm?

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#40 posted by flip , July 10, 2008 1:44 PM

#10 POSTED BY JENNIFERFOLLY , JULY 10, 2008 10:59 AM

The "Big Deal" that you don't get is...

1. There were 4 launchers... only 3 went off. It doesn't do any good to have a demonstration of military might only to show that your systems aren't 100% fully functional and impressive... In fact it's quite counter productive.
2. yes, it is "more scary" to the average joe without close inspection or thought. The sub context is that Iran has weapons to spare and that they work.
3. it shows that Iran understands these things.
4. it also shows that you don't understand these things. that means that if your representational of the american citizens ... you're open to such manipulation without your being aware of it.

That is the most frightening part... you don't see it.
Guess Iran will be attacking the USA "because of our freedoms" very soon now huh?

Take a look at this
#42 posted by Faustus , July 10, 2008 1:51 PM

@Antinous
Ahhh, the mighty google overlords have informed me of the meaning of those acronyms now.

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#44 posted by Raskolnik , July 10, 2008 1:59 PM

And these are the third-rate chumps that Republicans are trying to convince us constitute a clear and present danger to every person on the planet?

I miss the good old days when our sworn enemy that had people pissing themselves could at least put together a launch of more than *three* missiles at a time.

Boo to you Iran.

Take a look at this
#45 posted by Simonft , July 10, 2008 2:07 PM

Here is my touch up, inspired from a comment on the nytimes blog. It's not so great, but neither was the Iranian one. http://img211.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=24138_ledemissiles1_122_471lo.jpg

Take a look at this
#46 posted by Orchestra Spy , July 10, 2008 2:09 PM

Llama Llama duck. Under a table. From bombs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbPDKHXWlLQ

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#47 posted by Antiglobalism , July 10, 2008 2:17 PM

American-Israeli interests are pushing Iran to be able to point at it and say "Hey, look, you touched us first, so now we have a reason to attack you without getting demonized by the public. Here, take this missile!"

Who buys this shit? It's passive-aggression.

Take a look at this
#48 posted by Falcon_Seven , July 10, 2008 3:21 PM

Obviously they suck at Photoshop and were only using about $75.00 worth of the software.

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#49 posted by Kevlar , July 10, 2008 3:34 PM

@ #43 SquirrelMonkey: Here's the orig for that one.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradpennock/1504088515/

Take a look at this
#50 posted by artbot , July 10, 2008 3:39 PM

I can't help but think that poor artist who did this is getting (or already got) some "special treatment" from his bosses.

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#51 posted by Cpt. Tim , July 10, 2008 3:42 PM

its sad that a 2 minute photoshop job is already in my top ten photos for views in just over 2 hours.

hah.

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#52 posted by Squirrelmonkey , July 10, 2008 3:51 PM

@#49 KEVLAR: Haha, whoops...yeah, yoinking images off of Google Image Search comes back to bite me--especially after I see ALL the great shots on there I could have used! ;)

Take a look at this
#53 posted by giantman , July 10, 2008 4:05 PM

Ok, I'm late to this but I've been working all day. I've been following the story and even blogged about it earlier. However, I was able to obtain at some cost to human lives, the original, unaltered photo from our strike team!

See it here:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_q6S2ICxUxSA/SHaPOc2_uII/AAAAAAAAAek/aJ2PdBsSSBE/s1600-h/iranianmissile.jpg

Or here:
http://giantideasblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/iran-sucks-at-photoshop.html

Take a look at this
#54 posted by Kieran O'Neill , July 10, 2008 4:06 PM

#1: Antinous, in South Africa, the week they invaded Iraq, our independent unpaid TV channel (OK, we only have one) showed Wag the Dog as its Saturday-night movie.

We lolled.

#6: This was the Revolutionary Guard, not the government. (They do just happen to control about half the country's military, but are more or less free of governmental control.) Iran's a bit of a strange one...

Take a look at this
#55 posted by BadKittyM , July 10, 2008 4:12 PM

See, my problem was that every time I saw the picture, I couldn't help but think "what's so threatening about Iran shooting little finishing nails into the sky?"

Guess you could put an eye out.

Take a look at this
#56 posted by Anonymous , July 10, 2008 4:42 PM

Here's my contribution :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/spoonmanx/ledemissiles1-vgo.jpg

Thanks,
SpooNMan
www.vdgmbsssn.cm

Take a look at this
#58 posted by nerak , July 10, 2008 6:37 PM

this just in: Iran takes a page from Japan and creates the Shahab 4: Hello Kitty Vibration Missiles.

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4669/shahab4hellokittyac8.jpg

Take a look at this
#59 posted by Xeni Jardin Author Profile Page, July 10, 2008 6:54 PM

@#58, goddammit i thought i unpublished those. Pure win, goes in the VIP circle.

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#60 posted by mr.skeleton , July 10, 2008 6:57 PM

I want to play.

oh noes tony stark gived them all teh booms?!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mr_skeleton/2657554458/

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#62 posted by arkizzle , July 10, 2008 7:29 PM

Here's my missile mash!

Give It 6 Months

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#64 posted by jimjambandit , July 10, 2008 8:15 PM

So I think we have a documented case of Photoshopping leading directly to a rise in the price of oil globally. . .and thence to share price volatility. . .Adobe up or down do we think?

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#65 posted by revmoola , July 11, 2008 1:32 AM

Sorry to be late to the party.

Here's proof of the inevitable western retaliation: this is an original undoctored photo*.

http://www2.b3ta.com/host/creative/55730/1215707146/holywar.jpg

*that I made

Take a look at this
#67 posted by Ugly Canuck , July 11, 2008 4:46 AM

Definitely, more cowbell.

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#70 posted by Anonymous , July 11, 2008 6:52 AM

It's obvious that they WANTED people to notice the picture was photoshopped.

Why? They got a LOT of media attention. Now everyone knows they have missiles.


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#71 posted by VikingGator , July 11, 2008 8:18 AM

Not so fast. This guy says it's real.

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#74 posted by GeekMan , July 11, 2008 10:14 AM

These are all gold. It's late, but I just gotta throw one more in:

http://members.outpost10f.com/~sonata/sfsmissiles.jpg

Take a look at this
#75 posted by lazyfives , July 11, 2008 10:35 AM

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronrun/2659185694/

I'm surprised they thought they could get away with this one.

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#76 posted by Ryan Author Profile Page, July 11, 2008 10:53 AM

http://flickr.com/photos/alcarilinque/2658398737/sizes/o/

I hear the missile failed because Iran couldn't activate it.

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#77 posted by Kabur Naj , July 11, 2008 11:10 AM

@#73, Not sure what you're referencing there, but I just watched "Batman: The Movie" last week and there's an image in there which is eerily similar.

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#78 posted by BadKittyM , July 11, 2008 11:15 AM

...can't stop...laughing!
This is way better than a unicorn chaser.

Take a look at this
#80 posted by giantman , July 11, 2008 12:27 PM

Hey everyone, I saw this in the paper today! Bad news for the previous expert?

http://giantideasblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/iranian-photoshop-expert-wanted.html

Take a look at this
#82 posted by Kabur Naj , July 11, 2008 1:21 PM

@#78, Wow! That looks just like a screen capture of the Batman movie that I watched (or at least what it *would* look like if a remake were produced by Jerry Bruckheimer). In the movie, the shark even explodes!

Take a look at this
#84 posted by YokoYoko , July 11, 2008 4:35 PM

"Relax, Mansoor, we'll fix it in Photoshop."

http://politicomix.blogspot.com/

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#89 posted by Anonymous , July 11, 2008 10:57 PM

I feel very sorry for the person who photoshopped this. They are DEFINITELY dead right now.

Take a look at this
#90 posted by Drewkulele , July 12, 2008 12:17 PM

From the "Better Late Than Never" department, here's my 2-cents worth:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm110/drewkulele/iranmissiles.jpg

Take a look at this
#91 posted by waarpe , July 12, 2008 1:55 PM

[img]http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1577/moshmissleszh6.jpg[/img]

Take a look at this
#94 posted by loyalrogue , July 12, 2008 6:27 PM

I just had to post this one from gesteves over at Flashkit.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2658316482_848d71ed13_o.jpg

Take a look at this
#95 posted by Cowicide Author Profile Page, July 13, 2008 2:01 AM

#94 posted by loyalrogue:

I just had to post this one from gesteves over at Flashkit.

Gee, that looks strangely familiar...
Original Post Above In This Thread

:/

Take a look at this
#96 posted by pheltzel , July 14, 2008 7:34 AM

Seriously late, and crude, but better than never, and sort of amusing:

http://www.hardlearner.com/images/missiles-crew.jpg

Take a look at this
#97 posted by Anonymous , July 14, 2008 2:40 PM

I think that all images submitted for news content should have authentication embedded in the RAW file. I know Nikon provides this option in the D3. All "news" organizations must then be required to filter for said authentication before they can legally post the image. A new symbol needs to be developed to caption an image to indicate that it has not been altered. If the image cannot be authenticated I think we have every right to assume it's been altered.

The Photoshop production tool set used by news publishing organizations/blogs should be limited to Curves/Crop for the purpose of making the image more legible to support the news content. Similar to dodge and burn from the darkroom days.

News organizations/providers have an ethical responsibility to uphold the highest standards of journalism. There should be stiff penalties for violating this responsibility. This is much worst than using a favorite George Carlin word on the radio and having the FCC all over your back.

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