An investigation of Syrian conflict photography on Flickr

Barrow, Aimee Sophie (2017) An investigation of Syrian conflict photography on Flickr. Masters by Research thesis (MA), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

This thesis contains a detailed study of Syrian activist photography group, Lens Young Dimashqi. LYD’s depiction of the Syrian conflict, from 2012 to present, is boosted by the increased connectivity fostered by social media. Using image-based social media site Flickr, LYD provide a rare and unique insight into the country’s conflict, particularly in Damascus where the group are based. The case study provides an opportunity to interrogate the practices of amateur photography in conflict zones, how these practices differ from that of professionals, and the access to potential audiences and networks enabled by Flickr. To further understand this media landscape, this research comparatively examines the professional global digital media company, Getty Images. The research therefore engages in debates about the role of ‘citizen as witness’, the blurring boundaries between professional and amateur, and the place of social media in news-making.