Representations of Africa through Photography

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/tm70mv70r

Abstract

Processes in the Global North often dictate the way that the Global South is represented, especially through photographs. While in Tanzania, I took photographs of indigenous peoples, landscapes, and scenes that intentionally did or did not fit the scope of popular representations of African countries. In response to issues of misrepresentation and incomplete narratives promoted by Americans, my study seeks to assess how people think about Africa and react to images taken in Tanzania. These photos were the main tools that I used in the study to assess how people react to images that do or, more importantly, do not adhere to their common views of and conceptions about Africa. This research project aims to add to our understanding of issues of representing African countries, people, and landscapes by illuminating how photographs can enhance or solidify Americans’ pre-existing ideas. This project may also demonstrate how photography can be used as a tool to foster a broader, more complete view of Africa and its peoples.

Creator