本研究的理論洞見在於：數位時代，「新聞攝影」的疆界正在流動之中，我們也應以靈活的思考面對場域中的現象，擺脫傳統教條。 There has been a widespread integration of digital technologies into newspaper production, leading the nature of work and image into a state of flux. This thesis focuses on the dynamic relations between digitization and photojournalism.
I conduct in-depth interviews with 10 photojournalists to explore how digitization, especially the application of the digital camera, has changed the nature of their work and some of the practical problems it has raised. Empirical data and photos are analyzed as well.
My analyses are reasoning in three general areas:
Chapter 2: With the help of the binary concepts of deskilling and multi-skilling, I describe how the use of digital cameras has reformed workplace practice and relations. I also show how interpersonal relationship among photographers has been destroyed and rebuilt by digital technology at the same time.
Chapter 3: With the popularization of digital photography, both reporters and general public have come to play more significant role with regard to photojournalism. I introduce a significant case of a photographer/blogger to depict how grassroots media can be used to liberate news photos.
Chapter 4: I examine the idea of “post-photography,” which argues that the authenticity of photos is undermined in digital age. Through case studies of image manipulations by both Reuters and the local press, I find that there still exist social mechanisms which preserve the credibility of photos. Characteristics of digital image on contemporary newspaper are examined through chronological case studies, including the air crashes of China Airlines over the past years.
Theoretical insights include: photojournalism is in now a state of flux. The implications for the profession are discussed.
