Visual framing of unauthorized rallies and protests in Kazakhstan

Abstract

Press photography is a way to communicate ideas and messages to audiences
during different social situations and rallies are no exception. The problem here is that taking
photos of such political issues and selecting them to be included in the article is a difficult and
complicated process. Choosing shot angle and distance, selecting important subjects to focus on
while taking photos and choosing several photos among many for publication is a subjective
matter for photojournalists, journalists and editors. This article presents an analysis of press
photography during unauthorized rally in Kazakhstan using a model of visual framing analysis.
Although we don’t analyze audience perception and impact of press photos to how people
consume the news, we argue that there is visual framing in press photography which can affect
news consumption and that photo cameras which are supposed to show only truth can distort
the reflection of reality presented by journalists.