Indexing of photographs from the 'looking': analysis of different points of view about a photograph

Abstract

Just like indexing textual objects, image indexing can also characterize as a subjective process. This aspect can be highlighted, considering that the user's point of view and perception contribute to give meaning and help in the interpretation of the analyzed image. Furthermore, the look is influenced by stimuli acquired by the countless experiences, by the culture and social aspects established in the society where the user is inserted and how he relates to all this in the world. This study aims to evaluate whether indexing from the users' perspective can offer relevant information for content representation from the application of the Reading Model for Photography Indexing proposed by Silva (2018). This Model uses theoretical contributions from Visual Communication and Indexing Theory in Information Science and is formed by two reading levels. The application of the proposed model allows the indexer to ask questions about photography from the “Complex Method” and the “Primary Image Functions” using the proposed indexing questions. As a result, it was observed that the groups indexed the same photograph from different points of view, revealing users' "look" at the information collected about the context of the analyzed photograph and the selection of keywords to describe the photograph's content.