The Visual Power of Photography and Its Status as a Representation

I shall introduce a hermeneutic perspective and photography analyses from visual theory to the debate concerning the status of photographic representation (together with film, as it is based on the photographic method) which continues within Anglo-Saxon aesthetics and analytical aesthetics. I mostly confront Roger Scruton and Gregory Currie’s thoughts on the photograph and its object (source), representation-by-origin and representation-by-use with Gottfried Boehm’s concept of aesthetic nondifferentiation, and Georges Didi-Huberman’s analyses of photographs. This shall allow me to identify the two aspects of photography (independence of an individual object and visual dynamics of an image) which have a significant impact on the status of photography as a representation and on the potential of cinematographic creation as a story told through images.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles on a solid surface using a classical photographic method

A classical photographic method, the Becquerel method, produces a positive image comprised of silver nanoparticles on a silver surface. The particles are grown by exposing an iodised silver plate to light in the blue or ultraviolet, which initiates the formation of particles, followed by development (growth) with light in the red portion of the spectrum. Because the Becquerel method is essentially a means of producing a surface of patterned nanoparticles, it also has potential technological applications. This thesis is a systematic investigation of the Becquerel method. . It was determined that the initiation of nanoparticles is effective for wavelengths in the range 447 to 254 nm. The sudden rise in nanoparticle production around 447 nm implicates direct excitation of the AgI layer in the initiation step; however, the behaviour of the action spectrum at shorter wavelengths implies an electron-mediated mechanism. It is possible that both direct excitation and electron-mediated processes occur in the ultraviolet. Scanning electron micrographs indicate that nanoparticle morphology may be dependent on the initiation wavelength, with longer wavelengths producing a variety of shapes, while shorter wavelengths produce primarily dots. Nanoparticle growth (development) was achieved with all wavelengths studied; however, shorter wavelengths photons were more effective than longer wavelengths. The results from a study of the aging of the AgI film suggested that there is period of one or two days during which the film ‘matures,’ becoming more effective for nanoparticle production.

Synthesis of silver nanoparticles on a solid surface using a classical photographic method

A classical photographic method, the Becquerel method, produces a positive image comprised of silver nanoparticles on a silver surface. The particles are grown by exposing an iodised silver plate to light in the blue or ultraviolet, which initiates the formation of particles, followed by development (growth) with light in the red portion of the spectrum. Because the Becquerel method is essentially a means of producing a surface of patterned nanoparticles, it also has potential technological applications. This thesis is a systematic investigation of the Becquerel method. . It was determined that the initiation of nanoparticles is effective for wavelengths in the range 447 to 254 nm. The sudden rise in nanoparticle production around 447 nm implicates direct excitation of the AgI layer in the initiation step; however, the behaviour of the action spectrum at shorter wavelengths implies an electron-mediated mechanism. It is possible that both direct excitation and electron-mediated processes occur in the ultraviolet. Scanning electron micrographs indicate that nanoparticle morphology may be dependent on the initiation wavelength, with longer wavelengths producing a variety of shapes, while shorter wavelengths produce primarily dots. Nanoparticle growth (development) was achieved with all wavelengths studied; however, shorter wavelengths photons were more effective than longer wavelengths. The results from a study of the aging of the AgI film suggested that there is period of one or two days during which the film ‘matures,’ becoming more effective for nanoparticle production.

Artifacts in metallography: dust.

The article discusses the identification of dust particles on the surface of metallographic samples. It is noted that the volume of literature on metallographic artifacts is very small one. This is due to the fact that the Russian – language literature of the metallographic direction was wtitten long ago when the structure was fixed using the photographic method on photographic plates or film. The complexity of the process and the lack of photographic materials excluded the generation of information about metallographic artifacts.Modern metallographic complexes capture structure images digitally. Therefore, in addition to images of the structure, it is possible to record sample preparation artifacts without restrictions. Dust particles on the surface of metallographic sections and their difference from non-metallic inclusions are illustrated. The use of dark-field illumination and polarized light to identify artifacts is considered. Some effects arising from metallographic etching are illustrated.

Evaluation of Ocular Versions in Graves’ Orbitopathy: Correlation between the Qualitative Clinical Method and the Quantitative Photographic Method

Purpose. To assess the agreement between the qualitative clinical method and the quantitative photographic method of evaluating normal and abnormal ocular versions in patients with inactive Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). Methods. Forty-two patients with inactive GO had their ocular versions evaluated clinically according to three categories: normal, moderate alterations (−1 or −2 hypofunction), and severe alterations (−3 or −4 hypofunction). The subjects were photographed in the 9 positions of gaze, and the extent (mm) of eye movement in each position was estimated using Photoshop® and ImageJ and converted into degrees with a well-established method. The agreement between the two methods (qualitative vs. quantitative) for classifying ocular versions as normal or abnormal was assessed. Results. The mean quantitative measurements of versions were significantly different for each clinical category (normal, moderate alterations, and severe alterations) in the following five positions: abduction, adduction, elevation in abduction, elevation, and elevation in adduction (p<0.001). No such pattern was observed for the three infraversion positions (depression in abduction, p=0.573; depression, p=0.468; depression in adduction, p=0.268). Conclusion. The agreement was strong between the quantitative photographic method and the qualitative clinical method of classifying ocular versions, especially in lateral and supraversions, which are typically affected in GO. Digital photography is recommended for the assessment of ocular versions due to its practicality, suitability for telemedicine applications, and ease of monitoring during follow-up. This trial is registered with NCT03278964.

Photography as a Research Method with Learners in Compulsory Education: A Research Review

This article offers a review of thirty-one research articles from 2001–2019 on the use of photography as a research method with learners in compulsory education. Understood within the scope of ‘visual’, ‘participatory’ and ‘arts-based’ research methods, many scholars have linked the increased use of the photographic method to greater awareness of the rights of the child and changing understandings of children as full ‘human beings’ with agency rather than simply vulnerable ‘human becomings’. Nevertheless, photography is still a relatively under-utilised approach in research with learners in school-based compulsory education and its use is not widespread globally. Against the background of the history of visual and photographic methods in general and in education in particular, this article highlights two key themes in the empirical research literature: why the photographic method is used (dealing with representation, participation and emancipation); and how the photographic method and the photos themselves are used (pre-generated and participant-generated photographs). It closes with a reflection on what may be holding back its expansion, including key ethical concerns, and a proposal for encouraging its use in education.