‘Visual sociology, documentary photography, and photojournalism: It’s
(almost) all a matter of context’,
This article examines the difference between photojournalism, photo documentaries and photography used for news media.  A central element of the article is Becker’s discussion of how the context of a photograph is essential in considering what meaning might be attributed to it by a viewer.  Remember that sociology studies group behavior, group opinions, etc., and how group behavior and thinking can be shaped by what people see, experience and feel in specific environments.

This posting is meant to deal specifically with the significance of the context of a photograph in serving as a tool of visual sociology.  For this posting, please answer the following 2 questions fully in paragraph form.  Each question should have 2-3 paragraphs of content including a clear statement of what the paragraph is arguing/suggesting/defining/defending. 

1.  Howard Becker provides a number of examples of photojournalism, photo documentaries and photography used for news media that are strongly influenced by the context of the photography to inform the interpretation of the viewer.  Interpretation can also mean “meaning making” on the part of the viewer as they look at a photograph and consider/create its meaning.  Choose one example from Becker that illustrates the influence of the specific context of a photograph and how this specific context shapes the “meaning making” of that particular photograph.  Fully describe in your own words the example from Becker making sure to properly cite the page number and source of the example.

2.  Find an example from your daily life or from the web where the context of a photograph has a significant influence on the “meaning making” of the viewer of the photograph.  Place the photo within your posting and answer the following questions:  What about the context of the photo drew your attention to it as an appropriate image for this question?  What does the context say, in your opinion, about the photo?  What might be a few different meanings a viewer could attribute to the photo with the specific context it has?

Again, remember to fully build out your answers, using excellent grammar, punctuation and spelling.  Thoroughly proofread your work to make sure what you are expressing is clear to the reader. 

Article is attatched. Is not an essay , just answer questions

BOOK: Visual sociology by Harper Douglas

In Chapter 4 of Visual Sociology, Harper discusses two very different projects that combine “aerial” photography and “eye-level” viewpoints.  In the first part of the chapter, Harper focuses on the difference between aerial and eye-level views of farms; the second half of the chapter is focused on the urban space of the Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Italy.  These are sharply contrasting spaces – one being rural, the other being urban, one having few inhabitants but still representing life and livelihood, the other example of the Piazza is one bustling with city life and energy.

After thoroughly reading Chapter 4, please answer the following questions:

1.  Harper describes the sharp distinction between viewing an industrial or privately-owned farm from the air and seeing it from “eye level.”  Write 2 paragraphs that describe this distinction and provide your own sociological analysis of the difference between these two “viewings” of the same space.  What is most interesting to you about the difference between aerial and eye level viewings?  What most surprised you about the difference?

2.  In the second half of the chapter, Harper focuses on a bustling, urban center in Bologna, Spain.  Look at the many different photos provided of various parts of the Piazza Maggiore.  Discuss Harper’s analysis of how urban life is captured in various kinds of photographs.  What do you see when you view these different photographs?  What are the largest differences between the Piazza photographs and those of farm life, both aerial and eye-level? 

3.  We have looked at many examples of photography as still images in Visual Sociology.  Considering the many different photographic still images we have viewed in this class, what are your most significant learnings about the use of photography to help shape people’s thinking about public spaces, whether rural or urban?

Remember to thoroughly answer each question; there should be 2 paragraphs for each of the three questions.  Watch your grammar, spelling,, punctuation capitalization.  Make sure your answers are clear and every sentence supports your central claim or thesis.  Also, you should include source citations that identify where you are taking any quotes or ideas from the Harper textbook. 

This post is due by Saturday, January 18 at 11:59 p.m.