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ETD Abstract Container

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Recognition and Denotation of Photographic Manipulation

Voith, Kathryn Lynn
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4222-8700
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1512670071235856

Abstract Details

2017, MFA, Kent State University, College of Communication and Information / School of Visual Communication Design.
The media is often blamed for poor body image and low self-esteem due to its use of Photoshop and other editing programs to create a beauty ideal that many consider unrealistic and unattainable. Previous research has shown that an understanding of manipulation used in these images tempers the negative effects, but no research has been done to determine the average level of media literacy when viewing manipulated photographs. This study surveys a college-aged audience to determine their ability to identify photographic manipulation and their acceptance of different levels of editing, and determine whether or not a photographic denotation system indicating manipulation is needed in the industry. The results showed that positive identification of manipulated images was consistently beneath 50%, with accurate positive identification falling beneath 30%. This confirms the need for a denotation system. The research suggests marking images that cross the threshold of acceptable edits, which survey participants identified as the presence of changes to models’ bodily composition. Adopting a marking system that identifies photos that modify models’ body composition could improve media literacy and reduce the negative effects of viewing manipulated images.
Ken Visocky O'Grady, M.F.A. (Advisor)
Jessica Barness, M.F.A. (Committee Member)
Sanda Katila, B.F.A. (Committee Member)
76 p.
Communication; Design
photoshop, photomanipulation, digital manipulation, recognition, design, photography, advertising

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Voith, K. L. (2017). Recognition and Denotation of Photographic Manipulation [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1512670071235856

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Voith, Kathryn. Recognition and Denotation of Photographic Manipulation. 2017. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1512670071235856.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Voith, Kathryn. "Recognition and Denotation of Photographic Manipulation." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1512670071235856

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1512670071235856
2,784
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.