Abstract
Digital photography uses legacy language that has physical representations and traditions carried over from historic analog processes. For example, “dodge” and “burn” tools are commonly found in digital photo editing programs yet they are rooted in physical actions a photographer takes enlarging darkroom prints and do not carry relevant meaning for today’s users. Photography is one example of many, now-digital, processes that use historic vocabulary that lacks connection to the reality of modern processes. Many educators have had experience in a wet darkroom and witnessed the processes in-person but most students have only used smartphone cameras and view Polaroids and one-time-use film cameras as no more than fun party favors. This creates challenges for communication between educators and learners as the historical frame of reference is a living memory for teachers but is theoretical and disconnected for students, generating a knowledge gap for learners when trying to comprehend more challenging concepts around how light and physics impact the capture of photographs. This research looks at the use of legacy photographic language and student’s development of subject-based understanding and terminology through analysis of nearly a thousand written reflections captured over four academic years. Research shows that written reflections can be used to assess student learning and are helpful to identify the development of industry-specific language and comprehension. This study uses text analysis software to examine qualitative data quantitatively combined with traditional qualitative methods to provide meaningful guidance to measure student growth in visual media communication through the reflection process.
Presenters
Erica WalkerAssociate Professor, Graphic Communications, Clemson University, South Carolina, United States Amanda Bridges
Assistant Professor, Graphic Communications, Clemson University, South Carolina, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Photography, Film-to-digital, Communication, Language, Reflection, Learning
