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The Progression of Photographic Image Manipulation in Communication: an Argument Against the "Revolution" of Technological Change

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The Progression of Photographic Image Manipulation in Communication: an Argument Against the UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-1992 The progression of photographic image manipulation in communication: An argument against the "revolution" of technological change Cynthia Lynn Wood University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Wood, Cynthia Lynn, "The progression of photographic image manipulation in communication: An argument against the "revolution" of technological change" (1992). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 250. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/bqu5-khy0 This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand corner and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Number 1351250 The progression of photographic image manipulation in communication: An argument against the “revolution” of technological change Wood, Cynthia Lynn, M.A. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1992 Copyright ©1993 by Wood, Cynthia Lynn. All rights reserved. UMI 300 N. Zeeb Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48106 THE PROGRESSION OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE MANIPULATION IN COMMUNICATION: An Argument Against the "Revolution" of Technological Change by Cynthia Lynn Wood A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Communication Studies Greenspun School of Communication University of Nevada, Las Vegas December, 1992 The Thesis of Cynthia L. Wood for the degree of Master of Arts in Communication Studies is approved. Chairperson, Brad Chisholm, Ph.D. ____________ ct- -- A - &- jj _______ Examining Committee Member, Ga^e Chapel, Ph.D. Examining Committee Member, Allan Padderud, Ph.D Graduate Faculty Representative, Catherine Angel, Ph.D, Dean of the Graduate College, Ronald Smith, Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas December, 1992 11 ©1993 Cynthia Lynn Wood All Rights Reserved Abstract The technology of photographic image manipulation has evolved faster than our ability to consider its implications. This thesis looks at the recent evolution of image manipulation, which some regard as a "revolution." The various stages of technological progression are examined using examples according to Brian Winston's model of technological change. These stages include: scientific competence, ideation, prototypes, supervening necessity, invention, the 'law1 of the suppression of radical potential, and technological performance. A review of literature on the topic of photography in communication is included as well as an examination of the early photographers who used image manipulation in their work. A discussion of the "revolution" theory verses the "steady progression over time" theory is presented. The thesis concludes with a discussion on the impact of the current technological capabilities upon the viewers, which results in a change in our understanding of photographic reality. Table of Contents A bstract.......................................................................................... iii List of F igures.................................................................................. v Acknowledgments...............................................................................vi Chapter One: Introduction.......................................................... 1 Definitions.............................................................................................3 Image Manipulation ...................................................................... 5 Winston's Model ...................................................................... 8 Current Debate over the Implications of P hotography................... 11 Outline and Procedure.........................................................................15 Chapter Two: Phase One: Scientific C om petence.......................... 18 Chapter Three: The Ideation Transformation............................. 26 Chapter Four: Prototypes and B ey........................................... o n d 45 Second Transformation: Supervening N ecessity............................. 48 Phase Three: Invention ................................................................. 50 The Third Transformation: The 'Law' of the Suppression of Radical P otential............................................................................. 53 Phase Four: Technological P erfo rm an ce........................................ 57 Chapter Five: Progression or Revolution?.................................. 62 Conclusion...........................................................................................65 Works C ite d..................................................................................... 71 iv List o f Figures Figure 1 Winston's Model of Technological C h an g........................ e 9 Figure 2 Model: Scientific C om petence................................. 18 Figure 3 Model: Ideation Transform ation..................................26 Figure 4 O.G. Rejlander, "The Two Ways of Life, 1857 . .2 9 Figure 5 H.P. Robinson, Preliminary Sketch with Photograph . 31 inserted, c. 1860 Figure 6 H.P. Robinson, "Fading Away," 1858............................ 33 Figure 7 E. Steichen, "Rodin," 1902 ......................................... 39 Figure 8 A. Stieglitz, "The Steerage," 1907 ............................ 41 Figure 9 P. Strand, "Wall Street," 1 9 1 5.....................................42 Figure 10 Model, P rototypes..................................................... 45 Figure 11 Model, Supervening N ecessity..................................... 49 Figure 12 Model, In v e n tio......................................................... n 51 Figure 13 Model, The 'Law' of the Supression o........................ f 54 Radical Potential Figure 14 Technological P erform ance........................................58 Figure 15 S. Seeger, Title unknown, 1 9 9................................. 1 60 v Acknowledgments I would like the thank the faculty of the Greenspun School of Communication who provided encouragement, challenge, and support throughout my studies. I specifically wish to express my gratitude to: Dr. Brad Chisholm whose inspiration, suggestions, editing, and encouragement enabled the completion of this project; Dr. Gage Chapel who has shown me enthusiasm and valuable insight over the years; Drs. Allan Padderud and Catherine Angel whose analysis and expertise contributed to this thesis; to my parents who have always had faith in me; and most importantly, my husband Marc Rivera, to whom I am indebted to for his love and patience which kept me going during the many long hours of study. Chapter One Introduction People throughout history have used images to depict their world, and to communicate their experience to others. Technology has allowed communicating with images, particularly photographs, to develop into a large part of our culture. Today, people rely upon photographs to provide them with information about the world. The ability of the photograph to communicate a complex message is used commonly in advertising, journalism, education, business, and scientific study, among others. Interestingly, the technology of photography has always evolved faster than our ability to consider its implications. There are currently many people who feel that the technology of photographic image manipulation has evolved dramatically within the last few years. The term "revolution" is being used to describe the recent developments in photography. It is anticipated that we will soon not use images in the same way, nor will
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