Amateur photography: cultural construction of a role

Abstract

This article explores possible variations and continuities in the process of popularizing of amateur photography in two historical moments: the analogue photography and digital photography. The first part of the text present a journey through the term amateur genealogy, characteristics of amateur film photography is then described, establishing some parallels in relation to the most recent process of popularization of amateur digital photography. It is argued that the emergence of a new technological tool, in this case the photography camera of photos generates processes through which people learn to use the devices and become familiar with the technique; however, the technology itself does not do all the work and discourses that affect and transform the contexts of use and appropriation must be taken into account. This type of approach, support the conclusion that economic and social contexts, shape the uses and dominant styles for each technology, propitiating various renegotiations of these uses and styles once this technology becomes massive or changes. This text is part of the progress of an ongoing post-doctoral research, which has as its major area of interest to study the visual and audiovisual amateur production.