數位化的美麗與哀愁--新聞攝影產製變化初探

Abstract

新聞產製已經全面數位化，對新聞攝影來說改變最大的莫過於把底片變成數位相機。本研究呈現了數位化與新聞攝影產製之間互動的動態過程，詳細探討數位科技對於工作本質轉變的影響。 研究者深度訪談十位攝影記者，輔以文本分析、二手經驗資料回顧，最後以紮根理論分析訪談資料。 在行動者的部份，研究發現數位相機使技術門檻降低，網路具有時空壓縮的效應，這兩者使得攝影記者的工作面臨被去技術化的危險，角色更形工具化（第二章）；同樣邏輯的一體兩面，則是文字記者與一般大眾得以介入此一場域，取代攝影記者的工作，培養了多元技能（第三章）。其中的相關議題包括行動辦公室的疏離現象、虛擬場域的連結現象、公民新聞學等。 在影像文本的部份，本研究重新考察了「後攝影」對於影像本真性的恐慌，發現人文社會仍有因應之道；此研究也分析了《蘋果日報》與數位化兩項變因對於本土報社影像呈現方式的衝擊（第四章）。 本研究的理論洞見在於：數位時代，「新聞攝影」的疆界正在流動之中，我們也應以靈活的思考面對場域中的現象，擺脫傳統教條。

There has been a widespread integration of digital technologies into newspaper production, leading the nature of work and image into a state of flux. This thesis focuses on the dynamic relations between digitization and photojournalism. I conduct in-depth interviews with 10 photojournalists to explore how digitization, especially the application of the digital camera, has changed the nature of their work and some of the practical problems it has raised. Empirical data and photos are analyzed as well. My analyses are reasoning in three general areas: Chapter 2: With the help of the binary concepts of deskilling and multi-skilling, I describe how the use of digital cameras has reformed workplace practice and relations. I also show how interpersonal relationship among photographers has been destroyed and rebuilt by digital technology at the same time.

Chapter 3: With the popularization of digital photography, both reporters and general public have come to play more significant role with regard to photojournalism. I introduce a significant case of a photographer/blogger to depict how grassroots media can be used to liberate news photos.

Chapter 4: I examine the idea of “post-photography,” which argues that the authenticity of photos is undermined in digital age. Through case studies of image manipulations by both Reuters and the local press, I find that there still exist social mechanisms which preserve the credibility of photos. Characteristics of digital image on contemporary newspaper are examined through chronological case studies, including the air crashes of China Airlines over the past years. Theoretical insights include: photojournalism is in now a state of flux. The implications for the profession are discussed.