Social Informatics

Introduction

2011-09-14T19:10:00.005-07:00

Social Informatics

Social Informatics is the term used to ‘represent a field of research focusing on the relationship between information and communication technologies and the larger social context in which these information and communication technologies (ICT) exist’ (Sawyer and Eschenfelder, 2002). King (1999, p 1) takes social informatics further by stating that is the interdisciplinary study of the design, users and consequences of information technologies that take into account their interaction with institutional and cultural contexts.

As what King (1999) described about social informatics can be applied to the development of photography in the past century. As the design of cameras have changed immensely in the past hundred years and so have the users of this technology; its no longer just for those who could afford it and the people who don’t accept the change in technology are left behind using old technology that has become outdated which can be seen in the blog post ‘ SLR Vs. DSLR’.

Convergence has played a role in way technology-involving photography has developed. For instance the camera itself has blended features that seen in a computer whilst still performing its original function. Coombs (1987) instrumental approach to technological change fits the idea that technology is ‘highly flexible in its development and availability’ (Williams and Edge, 1996 p 8). I believe this to be true, as the past has shown us that when a new technology has been introduced in the past there is always one available a few months later with better features on the market. This will continue with all types of technology but the changed features will become more advance and will occur on more a frequent basis and photography will be one particular area that will have the biggest impact we only have to look at the new Sony Cam Recorder with a projector screen.

To present the relationship between Social Informatics and photography I chose the format of a blog as the blog layout allows all my collections to be grouped by tags bringing my themes together. Using a digital layout allows a variety of collections to be shown to help represent the connection between the two. Using blogger to hose my digital scrapbook allowed my artifacts to be more than just images and words but allowed for videos to be included to which allowed me to demonstrate other people thoughts about their use of photography and how it has changed. One YouTube video that shows Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino that digital film has taken away the essence of films and the imperfections that occur with analogue film.

I labeled my collections and found four recurring themes and they are:

1. Concept Design

2. Sexting

3. Digital and Analogue

4. Evolution of Photography

My first theme concept is important in the relationship between photography and ICT as concept ideas in photography present the possibilities in the future of photography. One particular blog post looks at the concept idea of the camera and how it might evolve to be in the future. The design features a detachable lens that connects to the body of the camera that resembles the body of an iPhone. This is important is the relationship between the two as ICT as about the future directions of technology.

The second theme sexing is an issue for concern with mobile technology especially with teenagers as technology these days allows for image to be sent instantly which can never really be erased as its always going to be past on. This wasn’t an issue in the past, as a photo couldn’t be digitally sent as it was only viewable via the paper in was printed on.

The theme digital and analogue is a particular area that social informatics has had the greatest impact on photography. I say that this area has had the greatest impact because it is evident through the evolution of cameras and the development process of photograph itself as seen in the blog post ‘ SLR vs. DSLR’ where the man who uses the SLR camera has no idea how use the DSLR when it is been given to him.

The evolution of photography is the final theme that I’ve looked at and it is a quite important one. Throughout the century technology has advance more and more as each decade has gone by. The developments in photography have changed the camera itself and the way photos are printed and viewed which has a dramatic impact in the speed of receiving photographs these days.

Reference:

Kling, R., 1999., What is social informatics and why does it matter, D-Lib Magazine, p 1

Lamb, R., Sawyer, S., 2005, on extending social informatics from a rich legacy of networks and conceptual resources, Information Technology & People, Vol 18 No. 1. P 11

Sawyer, S., Eschenfelder, K.R., (2002) Social informatics: perspectives, examples and Trends, Annual review of information science and Technology, Vol 36, Issue 1, p 428

Williams, R., Edge D., 1996, the social shaping of technology, Research Policy, Vol 25, p 8

Pavlus, J., 2011, WVIL a Glimpse at the future of photography after cameras die, WVIL, Viewed 1 September 2011, <http://www.fastcodesign.com/1663674/wvil-a-glimpse-at-the-future-of-photography-after-cameras-die-video>

Funnel, N., 2011, No shame in teenage sextual relations, Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, Viewed 10 September 11, <http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/theres-no-shame-in-teenage-sextual-relations-20110909-1k1nb.html >

Mone 1000894., 2009, 90210 – To sext or not to sext – promo, video podcast, Viewed 2 September 2011, < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deLmAP-j4TY >

BadgePress, 2011, BadgePress: MegaPixel Vs Analog Camera, Video Podcast, Viewed 2 September 2011<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gQjYNqMmH8 >

Aprocter, 2010, Digital vs Film, video Podcast, Viewed 1 September 2011, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ycBxKiGyYo&feature=related >

Compovison, 2011, Quentin Tarantino Comments on Digital Film, Video Podcast, Viewed 3 September 2011, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BON9Ksn1PqI&feature=related >

Volokh, E., 2002, The Benefits of Surveillance, Viewed 11 September 2011 <http://www2.law.ucla.edu/volokh/camerascomm.htm>

Kawamoto, K., 2003, Digital Journalism: emerging media and the changing horizons of journalism, Rowan and littlefield, USA

Kavoori, A., Archenaux, N., 2007, The Cell phone reader: Essays in social transformation, Peter Lang Publishing, New York, NY

Entourage, 2007, Television Program, HBO, 8 April 2007

Film is Precious... why waste it?

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Back in the day we all remember the cameras where we had to load the film into the camera and wind it so we could start snapping and how we would have to be vigilant of what photos were captured. The analogue camera the guessing game of the 90s... Snap and hope for the best. There were so many factors that went into place when choosing the right film; were you going to be indoors?, were you going to be outside in shade? or in sunlight? and from this you choose the film that was most appropriate for the occasion. But this didn't always ensure that the photo was going to turn out when it printed. There were times when the photos were printed and the exposure wasn't right therefore ruining what would be a photograph of a special memory.

Knowing that you have limited amount of film to capture a special event what do you take photographs of?

Here is a scenario for you:

At your child's birthday party and you have a roll of film with 12 shots on the roll what photos would you take?

a. 12 photographs of the cake to make sure that you got the prefect photo in the right light

b. Various photos of your child opening presents, blowing out the candles and photos of your child with members of the family

c. Photos in the moment and hoping they turn out

"Keep snapping it's digital. There's no waste." Drama, Entourage ( Season 3, ep 13 1:16 - 1:19)

Digital photography has replaced film with and SD memory card and depending on the size of the memory a person can take thousands of photographs of the same subject just to capture and later erase the ones that aren't needed to free up space.
'Today a few would disagree that digital media technologies are an important and enduring feature of the global communication landscape and that they will has as signficant an impact ... on society as books, newspapers, magazines, radio and television' ( Kawamoto, 2003). As Kawamoto has stated photography has impacted society through the ability to send photos vis the internet as this has allowed journalists to provide current photographs relating to the news stories that are published.

I myself rather a digital camera over an analogue camera any day as I feel I am able to capture every possible moment not just moments that need to be staged in order to capture it. In saying this I also have a Polaroid camera which I use to capture those staged moments as I feel by using the Polaroid camera makes it all that much more special knowing that each Polaroid film cost about $2 each rather than 10 cents a print from Harvey Norman.

Sexting - What is it?

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Sexting is the sending of image that shows a person is compromised position and sending it via a mobile phone.

The clip above shows the humiliation one would suffer after a sext has been sent without the consent of the person in the image. For a teenage program to address this in an episode of the show demonstrates the growing trend of sexting but also highlights that there are consequences so sending for sending it aswell.

This is an issue because under the 'Under Commonwealth law, teenagers under age 18 who consensually photograph and send images of their own bodies in nude, sexualised poses can be charged with production and distribution of child pornography. Anyone to whom they send those images can be charged with possession of child pornography, even if the sender of the image intended for them to have it'(Sydney Morning Herald, 10 September 2011).

Advances in Security Cameras

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The video below shows the comparison between digital film and analogue film. Through the video we can see that digital film is the far better technology through its ability to zoom in on a frame without losing sight of the persons facial features whilst analogue film does not provide this feature.

This advancement in video recording cameras has businesses with identifying past events that have reason for concern.

Volokh (2002) says that people feel as if the new security camera technology has become 'creeping Big Brotherism'. Which i understand having someone watch your every move does make me feel uncomfortable. 'The problem with cameras can’t be privacy. These cameras are in public places, where people’s faces and cars are visible to everyone'. These cameras are set in public places and are not set up in a private area like your own home. The developing nature of ICT has people worried in this area of photography.

SLR vs DSLR

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The YouTube video below demonstrates the advantages and limitations each camera has. What is noticeable in the video is that the camera have been divided; and each side shows variation in the colour production. This has been done to show how each of the SLR and DSLR images are once they have been printed. A notable limitation for the SLR is the speed in which it can take multiple photos which is limited due to winding of the film after each shot. Where as the DSLR doesnt have this problem as there is no winding function on the camera.

'The digitization of photojournalism makes electricity and power even more critical to our work' Cheryl Diaz Meyer (Kawamoto 2003 p 96) this has benefited news corporations through the ability to send images that are taken via a digital SLR through a satellite phone as soon as image is taken which a considerable advancement in the way the news is delivered to the public. As Geigher says directly states these benefits. 'there are two ways to think about satelite phones: You can either go light weight and be tethered to slow data transmissions with portability and voice communications, or you can suffer nine pounds of weight and carry around a laptop sized satellite phone that will give you a sixty-four-kilobit data... means a photo will move about a minute' (Kawamoto 2003 pp 93-94).

Quentin Tarantino comments on digital vs. film

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Thought it was interesting to see the opinions of a director who has several major films under him to comment on technology that directly has an impact on his work. I was taken back by the fact that he prefers to work with film rather digital as he feels that digital produced movies take away from the experience of a movie and how a movie should feel.

I had this preconceived idea that directors would rather work with digital film as it would allow for more effects to take place and would be easier for editing. I find it refreshing that someone is staying true to what they love and feel passionate about.

'its fair to say that any shift in technology maybe viewed with both promise and trepidation' (Kavoori, A & Arceneaux, N , p 137). This quote made by Kavoori and Arceneaux was applied to mobile phone technology however it can also be applied to digital film and film. Tarantino expresses trepidation through his perception that digital film has taken away the essence of films. Other directors would feel that advancements in film technology come with a promise that more range in how the film can be used in the future so directors can more creative freedom.