> every photo is now a crafted work of art by the machine.
This was always the case. Unless you have a very specific camera setup where you're trying to avoid this, there have always been certain characteristics that come through in photos from cameras. In fact, it's the main selling point of some cameras. Hasselblad, polaroid, cannon, sony all have their own 'looks' when it comes to output.
> The cop says "I couldn't see the guy's face" but the body camera shows the face clear as day.
I'll use a similar but opposite argument here. Ever since iPhones came out they could never really capture dark-skinned people as we see them through our eyes. Unless you had perfect lighting, you could clearly see issues with the sensor catching the contrast in their face. With all the retouching you speak of, iPhones have gotten much better at showing some people more closely to how we see them in reality. So when that cop claims "I couldn't see the guy's face, the damn camera is too good!", I'd be very hesitant to believe him.
This was always the case. Unless you have a very specific camera setup where you're trying to avoid this, there have always been certain characteristics that come through in photos from cameras. In fact, it's the main selling point of some cameras. Hasselblad, polaroid, cannon, sony all have their own 'looks' when it comes to output.
> The cop says "I couldn't see the guy's face" but the body camera shows the face clear as day.
I'll use a similar but opposite argument here. Ever since iPhones came out they could never really capture dark-skinned people as we see them through our eyes. Unless you had perfect lighting, you could clearly see issues with the sensor catching the contrast in their face. With all the retouching you speak of, iPhones have gotten much better at showing some people more closely to how we see them in reality. So when that cop claims "I couldn't see the guy's face, the damn camera is too good!", I'd be very hesitant to believe him.