Use of Photographs as Data Sources for Costume Research

  • Lee, Hae-Young (Dept. of Fashion Design and Business, Daejeon University) ;
  • Elaine, Pedersen (Dept. of Apparel Interior Housing Merchandising, Oregon State University)
  • Published : 2001.12.30

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore that what is the consideration when using photographs as data sources for historic costume research. So in other to achieve the study, first of all, I have to think over about the new media, photography, and then review the articles and studies how they have been used by scholars outside or our field. The considerations are the followings: 1. What kind of information can be found in historic photographs? The kind of information that may only be found in historic photographs and not in any other data source. What types of photographs are there; how the information varies by type of photograph. 2. What photographs can provide as data sources? How photographs can be used quantitative versus qualitative information; how to collect this information from one or more photographs, the criteria for the use of photographs. 3. Limitations of using historic photographs and what kind of information cannot be found in historic photographs. Be sure to discuss investigating the reliability of assigned dates;the importance of and suggestions on how could be done as part of the criterial for use of photographs. So, by asking and understanding these questions, we will use photographs better as a visual resource forward.

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