Post-Digital Epistemologies of the Photographic Image (PEPI): Photographic Truth Following the Digitalisation of the Media Landscape

The truthfulness of the photograph has long been one of the most debated issues in the photography. In current media society, it is still a question which raises heated debates in the field of photo journalism, for example. PEPI consortium examines the epistemologies of the photographic image from three closely related perspectives:
First, we will scrutinise the psychological processes by which people make judgements regarding the truthfulness of photographs. Second, we will concentrate on ‘fake news’ visuals and their reception.
Third, we will address the question of the veracity of the photographic image in light of photographic aesthetics. Our multidisciplinary consortium combines journalism/media studies, experimental psychology and artistic research.

PI of the Consortium: 
Professor Janne Seppänen (janne.Seppanen at tuni.fi), Tampere University

PIs of the Consortium Parteners:
Docent Jukka Häkkinen (Jukka.Hakkinen at helsinki.fi), University of Helsinki/Faculty of Medicine
Professor Mika Elo (mika.elo at uniarts.fi), University of the Arts Helsinki/Fine Arts Academy

Researchers:
Tuomas Leisti, University of Helsinki
Jenni Mäenpää, Tampere University
Tuula Närhinen, University of the Arts Helsinki

Funding: Academy of Finland

Duration of the project: 2019–2022