Content and Context in a Single Image: Multi-format analysis of Lewis Hine photographs in Special Collections

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Files

SusanGraham_LindseyLoeper_PTLSymposium2023 .pdf (1.47 MB)

Links to Files

Permanent Link

http://hdl.handle.net/11603/27786

Collections

UMBC Faculty Collection
Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5581-4082

Date

2023-04-21

Type of Work

posters
Still Image
Text

Department

Library

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Rights

Subjects

photography
Special Collections
visual literacy

Abstract

We will present a lesson plan developed by Special Collections faculty leading archival and visual literacy sessions. During the hands-on exercise, students analyze an original photography print, a digital surrogate, and a publication that includes the same photograph within the text. The worksheet directs their analysis and a class discussion includes both structured and unstructured, open reflection on the photograph and their research experience. Our goals are to introduce visual literacy concepts for historical research; encourage use of historical visual items when developing research questions; demonstrate the research process using multiple format types for comparison; and familiarize students with working in a special collections department. This case study is the focus of a book chapter, “Content and Context in a Single Image: Multi-format analysis of Lewis Hine photographs at UMBC,” in the forthcoming book, Unframing the Visual: Visual Literacy Pedagogy in Academic Libraries and Information Spaces.