Abstract
The art of photography is essential for the public understanding of science, and macrophotography can work in dispelling fears and phobias about arthropods in general. As a science communicator, I photograph insects and research their roles in our ecosystem. We usually see insects from afar where they look like tiny monsters that are invaders in our private spaces, prompting us to exterminate them rather than appreciate their roles in our lives. When audiences view insect faces beautifully composed in a macro photograph, they identify with them, albeit anthropomorphically. Does a photographer composing an image with a conscious application of artistic latitude compromise the accuracy of scientific representation? Does a macro photograph of an insect necessitate realistic anatomical detail to be viable as a method of science communication? Is there a limit to how much the authenticity of the image needs to align with the subject to be worthy of scientific scrutiny? At what point does a macro photograph of an insect veer into an artist’s representation devoid of scientific actuality? This project delves into these questions as they become more pertinent in the digital landscape of post-processing, artificial intelligence, and human creativity.
Presenters
Audrey KaliProfessor, Department of Communication, Media, and Performance, Framingham State University, Massachusetts, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—From Democratic Aesthetics to Digital Culture
KEYWORDS
MACROPHOTOGRAPHY, BIODIVERSITY, AESTHETICS, SCIENCE COMMUNICATION, VIEWER EXPERIENCE, REPRESENTATION, AUTHENTICITY, CREATIVITY
