Image Alteration - "Fauxphotography" ?

This image of soldiers admiring a female performer was published in the New York Times (27 Aug 06). Some believe the image was altered or "cleaned up" with an image editing program like Photoshop because the microphone cable appears to disappear a few inches from the stage floor.

 The Truth

This photo was not altered. The mic cable segment above the floor was in motion when the picture was taken. It is visible -- almost as a shadow.

A relatively slow shutter speed was used which was not fast enough to "freeze" the moving cable. The image captured the motion of the cable while the shutter was open. The troops must have been "frozen" in rapturous concentration as they show almost no motion!

Not only are many fake and altered images being discovered recently, the awareness that this can be done has grown substantially and with that, the authenticity of more -- even un-altered -- images are being questioned.