Photo-graft: A critical analysis of image manipulation
This paper proposes to examine the status of the photographic image in the digital age.

Excerpt: For 150 years, chemical photography had a privileged status as a truthful means of representation. The emerging technology of digital imaging is challenging this unique position. This paper proposes to examine the status of the photographic image in the digital age, as well as the debate surrounding the new technology and its implications. Read more »

Howard Stern's "public parts:"
a semiotic analysis
This paper proposes to analyze the narrative constructions around Howard Stern's public persona in a Barthesian perspective, it is to say in terms of myths. Articulated around four major sections - "Iconography of Howard Stern," "Shock Jock: the myth of the rebel," "Revenge of the Nerd: the myth of the American Dream" and "Model Husband: the myth of romantic love" - this essay identifies and analyzes the discourse practices in terms of myths the media used to build Stern's public persona. Read more »

Maybe she's born with it... maybe it's Photoshop: image manipulation and the simulation of women
This paper seeks to demonstrate that women's magazines, with their use of digital imaging, simulate an image of womanliness in a way defined by Baudrillard as the second order of simulacra, that is to say that "it masks and denatures a profound reality." This paper will contribute in the opening up of some the arguments and discussions using the pertinence of Baudrillard's three orders of simulation. Its purpose will be to define first what digital imaging is, as well as provide a brief history of image manipulation. It will then investigate not only the way in which the computer-technology is used to remodel the images of women in the media, but also the way women see this dictation of their image and what is at stake. Read more »

Essay on the movie industry and cultural commodities
This paper proposes to look at different notions related to the study of the cultural industries such as the concept of stardom, cultural commodities, use and exchange value, random component of the market demand, etc. Moreover, it tries to demonstrate that Adorno's perception of the cultural industries as "powerful" may be challenged. Read more »