Abstract
The under-representation of women in the media has been contested by gender activists the world over (Carter & Steinder, 2004, p. 15). Studies have indicated that women are more likely to be portrayed on advertising bill-boards than as serious news sources. Therein lies the problem. Saturated by the media, visual representation becomes a means of how to make sense of the world. If women are continually portrayed in a narrow range of roles and particularly as second-class citizens, does that not shape one’s understanding of the world? More importantly, how do the women rise above that status? Being a photographer of Indian descent, the subject was of particular interest to the researcher. This paper examines the theories underpinning representation, in particular, identity, gender and the selection and production of photographs. Based on the above data, the Post, a national newspaper targeted at the South African Indian population, was selected as a case study. A select population of the staff at the Post was interviewed. The empirical research specifically examines the selection and production of photographs in the Post. Based on the literature and empirical data, the study maintains that there are many challenges facing the media, specifically relating to the visual representation of women. Based on the findings, the paper offers recommendations that may assist in improving techniques in the photographic process of composing, selecting and producing photographs in the Post.
Highlights
The problem and its setting This study focuses on the photographic representation of women in the Post
The research methodology confines the empirical research to interviews of those who produce the paper i.e. the photographers; sub-editor and reporter
The integral role of composition plays in the photographic process Images are often manipulated through ‘cut and paste’, cropping, highlighting, darkening and lightening
Summary
The problem and its setting This study focuses on the photographic representation of women in the Post. Sets out to observe the factors that are considered during the various stages of the photographic process. This study sets out to explore how women are represented in the print media, in particular the Post. In order to solve this research problem, the following objectives were set: (i) To review and critique the literature that informs current theories of representation and media selection and production; and (ii) To conduct empirical research with staff at the Post. The emphasis, is on the photographic processes and techniques used when photographing women. Empirical research within Post will reveal the factors that are considered during the various photographic processes, namely: Composition; Selection; and Production
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