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Does Not Illustrate: Screens Are Cameras

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leetcga Since: Mar, 2024
#1: Sep 17th 2025 at 12:14:25 PM

The image on the page only shows a screen on one end and a camera on the other. I don't see the trope put into play within the image, and what the page has to say about the image source doesn't say anything about the specific point the image is taken from. (This is my first post on any of the forums so I'm sorry if this is lackluster)

BlueBlazes from United States Since: Dec, 2019
#2: Sep 17th 2025 at 12:23:05 PM

Keep, the image demonstrates the point fine. The trope is when multiple parties are communicating through a video call, but at least one of them is using a device that has no visible camera (ex: an old telephone) or something that has a screen but no camera (like just a computer monitor)

The image shows someone conversing with another party through a screen, but that someone is using an incredibly old phone with which there is no visible camera.

Edited by BlueBlazes on Sep 17th 2025 at 4:13:26 AM

BlueBlazes
leetcga Since: Mar, 2024
#3: Sep 17th 2025 at 12:51:33 PM

I'm confused by your reasoning because there is a camera clearly hidden within the phone.

BlueBlazes from United States Since: Dec, 2019
#4: Sep 17th 2025 at 1:11:59 PM

“ each is able to see the other party on his monitor, but no camera of any sort is shown”

"This trope can be exaggerated by having the characters hold the device they're using to chat (as seen in the image above), which would require a non-existent third person camera to be set up"

Where are you seeing the camera in the image?

Edited by BlueBlazes on Sep 17th 2025 at 4:20:12 AM

BlueBlazes
Kroetski Flessenkoning van Stiens from my Bottle-Deposit-Shed (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
ilovewildkratts1 Local Odd Squad Connoisseur from a nice breezy expansive meadow (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Chocolate!
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#6: Sep 17th 2025 at 3:40:35 PM

Could stand to use a quality upgrade, but otherwise, keep current. I do have suggestions on hand that might fit but I find the old man using an old-timey phone with a camera in it to be more elaborate.

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taotruths Live Jet Reaction (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: I sleep in a big bed with my wife.
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#7: Sep 17th 2025 at 5:27:56 PM

[up]agree, keep.

leetcga Since: Mar, 2024
#10: Sep 18th 2025 at 9:54:44 AM

Guys. Look at the phone. Look at where the old guy is looking. There is a camera right there. There is no unseen camera. It isn't implied through the image that the old guy can see the kid. The image does a poor job of illustrating the trope because it isn't illustrating it at all.

leetcga Since: Mar, 2024
#11: Sep 18th 2025 at 10:05:02 AM

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/this_9.png (Had to upload this in another message cause I was having a lot of trouble navigating the site to find it)

leetcga Since: Mar, 2024
#12: Sep 18th 2025 at 10:06:19 AM

Oh god, I'm really stupid. I just found out that those kinds of phones just look like that. I'm so sorry for my idiocy.

Theriocephalus Amateur Veteran from gimme a map and a moment and I can tell you Since: Aug, 2014 Relationship Status: I made a point to burn all of the photographs
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#13: Sep 18th 2025 at 4:42:27 PM

For reference, if you have questions about an image's suitability you can take it to the Ask for Explanations of Page Pics thread for some casual feedback.

BlueBlazes from United States Since: Dec, 2019
#14: Sep 21st 2025 at 11:16:14 AM

So since the main issue that prompted this thread turned out to be moot, and everyone else voted keep, this can be closed right?

BlueBlazes
ilovewildkratts1 Local Odd Squad Connoisseur from a nice breezy expansive meadow (Experienced, Not Yet Jaded) Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Local Odd Squad Connoisseur
#15: Sep 21st 2025 at 12:33:16 PM

[up] A mod has to make the final call. It will then likely be sent to the IP Morgue.

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Willbyr MOD Hi (Y2K) Relationship Status: With my statistically significant other
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#16: Sep 22nd 2025 at 6:24:41 AM

Calling to keep the current. The page is tagged; locking up.

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