May
2020
Week 7 – Networked Photography- Steph Claire Smith
Who is the practitioner (what is their name?) and when were they practicing?
Steph Claire Smith is an entrepreneur, model and photojournalist. She has a massive following on both her business accounts “Keep it Cleaner“, “Midnightco” and “Soda Shades“. However her largest following is via her personal account which has a whopping 1.6 million followers. Steph has been posting content such as photos and videos since she was in her early 20s and has since sky rocketed to fame through her social media presence. Since then, Steph has been active on her instagram channel and has gained even more success. From this she has begun her own app and youtube channel for business ‘keep it clearer’. Throughout Steph’s online career she has made it public that she struggled with negative body image and poor self esteem as a result of her modelling, now Steph uses this story to inspire and influence young women and men to look after themselves and create a healthy mindset of themselves. As this is a key reason for what she does a lot of her online content is in relation to positive body image.
What is the title of the photo or video you have chosen to analyse (can you provide a link?)
There is no specific title for this photograph as Instagram has a no tittle feature to its platform. However, the caption reads: NEW @adidasau campaign in stores now 😝 The new adidas training collection is all about playing your way.💪🏼 Featuring styles made to move with you and available in inclusive sizing, everyone can feel confident whilst working to their highest potential. LOVED shooting this campaign with these incredible women 🙌🏼 Reimagine sport with adidas. Shot by @renpidgeon #adidaswomen #reimaginesport
With the photo or video, you are examining when was it produced (date)?
This photo was published onto Instagram on the 12th of January 2020. This particular photos was not taken on this date however, it was a shot apart of a larger shoot with activewear company Adidas, taken in America in November 2019 by photographer Ren Pigeon.
How was the photo or video authored?
Steph mostly uses her iPhone to capture her Instagram satires and posts, however as this photo was captured by photographer Ren Pigeon was can assume that this is not what happened. Ren is a professional photojournalist and uses Digital cameras, tripods and lights to produce his works. The photo as it is apart of a campaign shoot for well known company Adidas would have gone through some hefty editing and colour grading during post production.
How was the photo or video published?
This photo was published onto Instagram most likely directly from Steph’s iPhone. Besides potential editing there would have been no great difficulty in publishing this photograph which is a stark contrast to the development process of analogue photography. However, there would have been a calculated thought process in which this photograph was published in terms of its aesthetic, as Steph’s posts are mostly about activewear and bikinis her photograph would have has to be placed in the right spot for her Instagram grid in order to fit her colour palette and overall look of her instagram platform.
How was the photo or video distributed?
The distribution of this photo can easily be detected through the use of Steph’s tags. She has tagged the company Adidas as well as the photographer. Therefore, if the Adidas were to re-upload her photograph or post, there would be a continued cycle of links and networks of the image. For example, in the ‘tagged’ feature on Steph’s instagram account, you can find the same photograph posted by Adidas.