Abstract
In an era where AI-generated imagery saturates digital culture, questions of authenticity, authorship, and emotional resonance have become central to debates in communication and media studies. This paper explores the continuing power of real photographic images—specifically through the lens of Photovoice, a participatory photography project organized by UNFPA in Viet Nam to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Anchored in Stuart Hall’s encoding/decoding model and theories of visual rhetoric, the paper examines how participants—many of whom are people with disabilities—used photography not just as representation, but as reclamation: to encode personal narratives, challenge stereotypes, and produce meaning that is both locally grounded and globally relevant. Unlike generative AI, which often mimics emotion through algorithmic prediction, these images carry lived experience and embodied truth. Their emotional authority lies not in visual perfection, but in imperfection as presence—bearing witness to resilience, exclusion, and dignity. While AI photography continues to evolve and provoke aesthetic admiration, its perceived lack of human essence raises questions about the boundaries of photographic meaning in democratic and digital cultures. This case study suggests that, far from becoming obsolete, human-made photography—especially participatory and activist forms—remains vital in constructing authentic narratives, fostering empathy, and elevating marginalized voices. In re-examining the relationship between photography, language, and light, this paper argues that the future of image-making must include ethical space for both innovation and the irreplaceable storytelling power of lived realities.
Presenters
Hoang Tram Anh NguyenCommunications Officer, Department of Communications, UNFPA, Viet Nam
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Disability Representation, Participatory Photography, Authenticity, AI-generated Imagery, Visual Rhetoric
