Ability Quote by Lev Manovich
![“... what is faked [by the computerization of image-making], of course, is not reality, but photographic reality, reality as seen by the camera lens. In other words, what computer graphics have (almost) achieved is not realism, but rather only photorealism - the ability to fake not our perceptual…” quote by Lev Manovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0f1/lev-manovich-41544_ability_what-is-faked-by-the-computerization-of_753083.jpg)
“... what is faked [by the computerization of image-making], of course, is not reality, but photographic reality, reality as seen by the camera lens. In other words, what computer graphics have (almost) achieved is not realism, but rather only photorealism - the ability to fake not our perceptual and bodily experience of reality but only its photographic image.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Language of New Media, Lev Manovich, 2001
The quote argues that computer-generated images can mimic photographic appearance but cannot replicate the full sensory experience of reality.
In simple terms: Computer images copy photos, not real life.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of visual media.
Themes
media theory
perception
technology
authenticity
visual culture
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
theoretical
critical
When to use this quote
- film criticism
- virtual reality
- advertising
- education
- art installations
Key Concepts
photorealism
simulation
embodiment
digital representation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does photorealism affect our trust in images?
- Can visual media ever convey embodied experience?
A Different Perspective
Photorealism may mislead viewers about authenticity.
![“I think movies say a lot [about real life], even more than theater. It says a lot about the invisible, that movies are so fascinating. The camera lens is like a microscope that goes beyond the surface. It's like you're exploring a secret, so you explore the director's secret, you explore the…” quote by Isabelle Huppert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1ee/isabelle-huppert-9895_actors_i-think-movies-say-a-lot-about-real-life_458939.jpg)
