Protest photography: the value of telephotography in civic rights activism

Abstract

Introduction: The circulation of civic protest photography in the age of telephotography is analysed, with a special focus on images of advocacy for the right to education, freedom of expression, social justice and environmental  protection.  The  History  of documentary photography and innovations in editing, dissemination and archiving are reviewed. Activism and its manifestations in the age of telephotography allow for a discourse of social consciousness that connects with today’s protests. Methodology: Agency photographs from a private archive are analysed, identifying narrative, visual and technological patterns following Gillian Rose’s model. Results: Protest photography in the age of telephotography consolidates the genre of documentary photojournalism with the intention of social mobilisation. Discussion: A review of photographic archives provides an understanding of social movements and struggles in relation to the period in which they take place. Conclusions: The protest image and its cultural influence peaks in the era of telephotography and extends its influence to the present day. Further analysis of these archives is necessary in order to identify the social, cultural and artistic functions of these images.