Hybrid symposium “Race, ethnicity, and the photographic archive"

Historians of colonial photography deal with often explicitly racialized photographs as a large number of these were taken by colonial officers, administrators, anthropologists and professional photographers. This brand of photographs were made into postcards and sent home from the colonies to the metropoles, published in general and scientific publications that showcase the “colour” and adventure of faraway places and peoples. Many of these photographs are deposited in cultural institutions such as archives and museums and form the basis for other collections such as by heritage centres. At the same time, the stereotypical aspects of photography meant to capture aspects of “race” and “ethnicity” have continued into the present day with the popularity of Steve McCurry and Jimmy Nelson photographing peoples are not so far removed from this historical trend. Popular media trying to showcase diversity often take this same principle by selecting different recognizable “types” of people. Current collections of historical photography are currently being digitized and can be accessed by the general public with old descriptions given at the time of their taking, or with no descriptions at all, making them free to be associated with current representational norms.

How do historians and photographers engage with “race” and “ethnicity” in the study of photography and the practice of taking photographs? How do they locate themselves in the history of photography’s power to represent difference and to reinforce stereotypes? What impact do they think the images will have 100 years from now, with or without knowledge of who has taken them or why, and who the subjects were?