Last year, it was an argument over the colour of a dress. This year, it’s whether or not the image itself is even real. On 2nd February, Irelands Hidden Gems.com posted this striking photograph of Malin Head in County Donegal by the photographer Michael O’Brien to their Facebook page. Since then, the site’s comments section has gone in to meltdown with users arguing over the veracity of the image. While many concede that although the colours on the photograph have certainly been enhanced, they hold that the image has not been further doctored. Others, however, remain steadfast that the image is a total fake and could possibly be a composite of 2 or more separate images. Some have even argued that the image is not a photgraph at all but an oil painting. The location captured in the image can be found here. What do you think, is the image real or a fake?
Whether real or fake, ’tis ambiguity encapsulated. Really do love it.
fake
I am reminded of Orson Welles, when asked this question. 🙂
Fake. The perspective is wrong – it appears that the sea is going uphill. Waves are too large – especially after they have broken.
My husband’s family is from Donegal and he’s visited Malin Head. He said the ocean is right there and quite dramitic, though the perspective in the photo seems a bit wonky to me.
Still, it’s gorgeous.
Some questions maybe can ‘t be answered?
Looks real to me. But I am easily fooled.
It looks really good either way!
What?
I was sort of amazed at how many people argued so staunchly that the color was blue or gold or whatever while managing to miss the point entirely. Visual perception isn’t perfect. It’s an algorithm, a very complex system for your brain to make guesses about the world around it. If you’ve ever looked at an optical illusion you know how easy it is to fool. So yea, the photo looks weird—but that could be for any number of reasons.