Paper short abstract:

This research explores the processes of trust in the image, from the ethnographic experience and theoretical reflection, in photojournalism and documentary film, based on interviews and observation at festivals. The research focuses on corporalities, ethics, indexicality, and emotional anchoring.

Paper long abstract:

Trust is a topic of current debate in the anthropological field. It is related to “an emotion, belief or expectation that someone or something is good, trustworthy and honest and capable of meeting our expectations” (Canals 2020). The problem presented in this communication poses a present immersed in a crisis of trust in images and the world (Jones 1996; McMiller 2011). It occurs mainly in the field of images that portray the contemporary world and that they have lost their status as visual evidence (if they ever had it). In a moment of hyperrealism as well as truth concealment (de la Nuez 2021) and where the words of the famous writer Artaud, “Never real/ always true” is diluted in our perception of the world. These circumstances have led to multiple debates around the concepts of falsehood, post-truth, and disinformation (Canals 2020). Who makes an iconic image? Can we continue, in the era of fake, trusting images?

From this scenario, this communication has the will to show the new paradigm and processes of image creation and distribution by professionals in the sector. For this reason, the research proposes, from the ethnographic experience and theoretical reflection, to explore the processes of trust in the field of photojournalism and documentary film based on interviews with professionals in these professions, as well as festivals. The research focuses on corporalities, ethics, indexicality, and emotional anchoring. The results of this case study will be presented comparatively, both in written format and with audiovisual material.