disturbia

Researching the Relationship between Brands, Instagram and Amateur Photographers


ABSTRACT

A two year participatory, auto-ethnographical practice-led phenomenological study positioned between smartphone photographers, mobile photo-social networking app Instagram. The research examines the rising trend of major commercial brands enabling smartphone photographers belonging to Instagram (Instagrammers) to shoot, supply and distribute visual content on behalf of the brand label within the Instagram ecosystem. It is an exploration of how this is quickly evolving and questions if a new ‘image economy’ is rising and bringing with it a quality of experience ‘tax’ while capturing the intimate moments of our personal lives for commercial use.

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Originally published 9th September, 2013