A2 – Review

Assignment 2 – Review
Name: Panayiotis (Peter) Kyprianou, s3661871

I declare that in submitting all work for this assessment I have read, understood and agree to the content and expectations of the assessment declaration – https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/equitable-learning-services

Blog reflections

Week 5 – Analogue Photography
Week 6 – Analogue Video
Week 7 – Networked Photography
Week 8 – Networked Video

Word Count: 993

 

  • Provide a definition for ‘analogue photography’.

As learnt in Week 5, analogue photography is capturing light onto a light-sensitive film, using a film camera, where the image is seen once chemically processed. This means that images need to be processed and printed before publishing and distributing. Analogue photography was the dominant technology in consumer photography for almost 120 years (1885–2003) (Schiavone, 2014). Although it is experiencing a revival in recent times.

 

  • Provide a definition for ‘analogue video’

Analogue video, similarly, to analogue photography, is video that is recorded using light-sensitive film to capture light and create an image, or a frame, that is then repeated and put together to create a moving image, or video. Additionally, the term analogue video can be more confusing than analogue photography as analogue video also includes digital elements and methods of recording like VHS as well as the distinction between High Definition and Standard Definition, as learnt in Week 6 with Nam June Paik’s work.

 

  • Provide a definition for ‘networked photography’.

Networked photography is a form of photography that is taken on a digital device, whether it be a camera or smart phone, and uploaded to a network like social media, where it can be viewed by other users on that platform.

 

  • Provide a definition for ‘networked video’.

Networked video is form of video that is taken a digital device, whether it be a video camera or smart phone, and uploaded to a network like social media where it can be viewed by other users on that platform.

 

  • Provide definitions for the terms ‘authoring’, ‘publishing’ and ‘distributing’.

Authoring: Authoring is creating content or media, whether it be taking, editing or combining photos, videos or sound.

Publishing: Publishing is preparing the media in a format where it is ready to be viewed by people. Whether it is exporting a networked photo or video or printing an analogue photo for instance.

Distributing: Distributing is showcasing the finished media to an audience. This includes internet, social media, websites, magazines, books, billboards, screenings and exhibits.

 

  • What differences and similarities did you discover between the way analogue and networked photos are authored, published and distributed?

The main difference in the way networked photos are authored is how the image is captured. Network photography utilises smart phones which is different to the film cameras used in analogue photography. Although, newer cameras that are part of networked photography are becoming more connected to the network as they have features like Wi-Fi for smart phone connectivity allowing for things like mirroring the viewfinder and transferring images from the camera to the smart phone wirelessly. This further removes them from the analogue photography cameras they originated from. Smartphones are not only capable of taking, editing and storing photos, but of uploading these to the internet (Palmer, 2014), meaning that the authoring, publishing and distributing process is more streamlined and less defined individual steps. In fact, this entire process can happen solely on the Instagram app. I can take a photo on the app and edit it (authoring), Add a description, location tag and hashtags (publishing) then upload to Instagram where the hashtags help reach a larger audience (distributing). Compared to analogue photography where light is captured using a light-sensitive film, taken on a film camera (authoring), then the image is chemically processed before it can be seen (publishing). It is then distributed through things like magazines, books, billboards, screenings and exhibits. Most analogue photography was distributed through exhibitions and displayed on gallery walls (Liz, 2015) (Wells, 2015). This is similar to networked photography distribution however the gallery walls are now virtual with every Instagram user having their own personal gallery. In analogue photography, each step of the authoring, publishing and distributing process is clear and defined unlike networked photography where the authoring, publishing and distributing process is done with a few clicks seamlessly.

 

  • What differences and similarities did you discover between the way analogue and networked videos are authored, published and distributed?

Authoring of networked video has become extremely easy, especially when compared to analogue video. Analogue video relies on user expertise much more than networked video. Analogue video users had to know how to use a film camera, what film to use, how to publish the film. Although, many of the same principles from analogue video transfer over to network video especially when using digital video cameras. However, now smartphones have increased the accessibility and ease of authoring networked video (Goggin and Hjorth, 2014). The barrier to entry on video in general is now much lower, especially through platforms like Instagram that require no physical equipment other than a smart phone. Like networked photography, the authoring, publishing and distributing process is less defined than analogue video and more streamlined and efficient. The main difference between authoring, publishing and distribution between analogue video and networked video is the methods of distribution. Analogue video is reliant on legacy media and in person viewing experiences like screenings or exhibitions. Compared to networked video which is distributed across a much larger range of channels, platforms and devices (Goggin and Hjorth, 2014). This is evident when comparing Nam June Paik’s work from week 6, to Zach King’s work from week 8. Majority of Paik’s art was distributed through exhibitions in galleries, meaning that only the people that are at the exhibition can see it. Compare this to King’s Instagram video from week 8, which has 9.4 million views. Meaning 9.4 million people have viewed it in his virtual gallery. Just on Instagram! That’s not taking into account that the same video was also uploaded to his other social media accounts. Although Instagram was originally for photography, they now allow videos under one minute to be uploaded and videos longer than one minute to be uploaded to IGTV. With a low barrier to entry and distribution capable of reaching billions, the entire authoring, publishing and distributing process of networked video has changed drastically.

 

References:

GOGGIN, G. & HJORTH, L. 2014. Mobile Video: Spreading Stories with Mobile Media, Routledge.

LIZ, W. 2015. Photography: A Critical Introduction, Taylor and Francis.

PALMER, D. 2014. Mobile Media Photography. In: GERARD GOGGIN, L. H. (ed.). Routledge (United Kingdom).

SCHIAVONE, F. 2014. Backwards compatibility, adapter strategy and the ‘battle of converters’ in analogue photography. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 26, 401-416.