This document summarizes research being conducted on analyzing stock photographs related to age and employment. The research collects stock photos from online sources and analyzes them to understand the aesthetic labor of the models and how different ages and employment statuses are represented. Researchers then use selected photos in focus groups and surveys to understand how people interpret and respond to the images. Responses are analyzed to gain insights into societal attitudes around age and work.

1. Katrina Pritchard
and
Rebecca Whiting
Department of Organizational
Psychology
Birkbeck
University of London
Research part-funded by
Richard Benjamin Trust (Early
Career Award 1103) and BEI
School, Birkbeck
Extending
E-research:
Engaging with
the visual in
web 2.0 data
Our research blog:
http://ageatwork.wordpress.com
Our twitter:
@ageatwork
© 2013 Katrina Pritchard and Rebecca Whiting. All rights reserved.

2. http://ageatwork.wordpress.com
Stock images
 “cultural text[s]“ (Milestone and Meyer, 2012)
 Library pictures sold via commercial agencies for
use in print and digital media
 Both production and consumption relevant
within a conceptual framework of aesthetic
labour:
 Aesthetic labour of the models in producing the
images
 Aesthetic representation of different images of
(un)employment is consumed

3. http://ageatwork.wordpress.com
(Downloaded from: http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2011/11/11/Gen-Y-vs-
Boomers-Workplace-Conflict-Heats-Up.aspx#page1 Original download: 22/11/11;
Screenshot: 6/6/12; Picture credit: iStockphoto, original image by Jacom Stephens)

4. http://ageatwork.wordpress.com
New Image
Original Image
(See previous slide for credits)

5. http://ageatwork.wordpress.com
Stage 1: Collect web 2.0 data utilising automated search
tools over 150 days
Identify of usable photographs within the data
set (120 images)
Researchers’ analysis of selected images (16
images, all stock photographs)
Stage 2: Select images for Stage 2, including securing
approval and rights (5 images)
Photo elicitation using key images
- Face to face via Focus groups (pilot
completed)
- Electronically via Photo Response Survey (pilot
completed)
Analysis of photo responses (by mode and
comparison)

6. http://ageatwork.wordpress.com
Stage 1: our analysis
 Davison(2010): Analysis of portraits
 Physical attributes, dress, physical artefacts, and
interpersonal representations
 Rose (2012):
 subject positions, absences, contradictions,
similarities/differences with other images,
persuasiveness, complexities

7. http://ageatwork.wordpress.com
Downloaded from:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9010770/Age-discrimination-rooted-in-society-Government-finds.html
Original download: 22/1/12 ; screenshot: 6/6/12
Picture credit: Johnny Greig / Alamy
Pose
Props
Modern office,
Plan, desk, seating
‘pyramid’, use of
hand position re
involvement and
authority
Appearance
Women similar,
men dissimilar
Dress
Formulaic business casual,
Older man wears
trad’l white shirt

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Stage 2: photo elicitation
 “the meaning of images is not fixed, but dynamic
and open to continual interpretation as part of an
ongoing circuit of communication” (Bell and
Davison, 2012)
 Photo-elicitation originated in the 1950s, basis in
psychology and anthropology
 May be used in group or individual contexts, the
photo becomes a ‘presence’ within the research
setting
 Danger of assuming this offers more ‘rounded’ or
complete interaction, rather offers a different type
of prompt from the more traditional verbal

9. http://ageatwork.wordpress.com
What are your impressions of these photos?
 We would like to retain, display and share the comments you produce
today on these photos for use in our research project including future
academic conferences, seminars and publications.
 You have a choice as to whether to share the comments you produce:
 If you do not consent to your comments being reproduced (in
electronic or print form) for educational and/or non commercial
purposes then please do not hand in your picture at the end of this
session.
 If you hand in your comments at the end of the session you are
consenting to these being reproduced (in electronic or print form) for
educational and/or non commercial purposes.
 You may withdraw your consent subsequently by emailing the authors
and quoting your participant number.
 The names of those who provide comments will not be recorded or
identified.
 Any questions? If you later have any questions or concerns about the
use of these comments please email Katrina at any time
(k.pritchard@bbk.ac.uk).

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Photo response survey
 Twenty statements test (Rees and Nicholson,
1994) adapted to ask participants to offer 20
observations of the image.
 Free format response
 Prompted response; uses simplified visual analysis
categorisation (appearance, dress, props and
pose) plus additional space.
 Rated response; rate a number pre-defined
statements (taken from the focus group data)
 Narrative response; participants are asked to
compose a short story which reflects what they
think might be happening to the characters in the
image.