What is glitch photography?

Glitch photography applies digital corruption and error aesthetics to photographic images. Unlike traditional photography’s pursuit of technical perfection, glitch photography embraces artifacts, distortion, and digital degradation as expressive elements.

Techniques range from in-camera approaches (sensor manipulation, long exposures of screens) to post-processing corruption. Databending -opening image files in audio software or text editors and making modifications -produces unpredictable results. Pixel sorting and hex editing offer more controlled distortion.

Some photographers glitch their entire workflow, shooting through damaged lenses, corrupted memory cards, or malfunctioning equipment. Others apply effects selectively to create contrast between pristine and corrupted areas.

The genre questions photography’s documentary truth -if any image can be corrupted, altered, or fabricated, what reliability does the photograph hold? This critical dimension makes glitch photography conceptually rich beyond its visual impact. Explore techniques in our glitch photography tutorial.