How To Spot a Photo That’s Been Retouched

Look for recurring images—like the same cloud pattern or a group of people that is repeated elsewhere in the crowd. This indicates that a part of the picture has been replicated to cover up something else.

Study shadows to make sure they’re consistent. If two people in a photo are looking at each other, but the shadows on their faces indicate they’re both looking directly at the sun—bingo! You’re looking at a composite image.

Look closely at where body parts meet. When a head has been placed on someone else’s body, it often appears at an odd angle and/or at a weird distance from the neck.

Import the image and view it in Photoshop, if you have it. Click on “image,” then “adjustments,” then “hue/saturation.” Set hue to “low” and saturation to “high.” Now scroll the light bar back and forth. Splotches of discoloration indicate photo tampering.