When it comes to social networking systems you could say that the
craze of food photography is a huge trend. People all over the world like to
show off to everyone on what they are currently eating or craving. You could
take into consideration that these photos could be unconsciously posted onto
social media for more than just the reasons that they intentionally planned.
When a person posts on social media about what food they eat it can shape how
people see them just like how their images of clothes or house they own can
influence their identity. When people post on social networks of what they eat
it can cause a chain reaction of questions to their identity from where they
are to what they can afford to how wealthy they are/what social class they fit
in to what culture they might be to what religion and it goes on and on
(Atkins, 2001). At times a simple picture can also show their culture again
influencing their identity in that networking system.
Food can be known as a
repository of culture (Kuttainen, 2015) as each culture have certain dishes
that they specialise in giving the people and the culture their identity. A
person’s identity is affected by food photography in good and bad ways. When
posting a photo of a tub of chocolate ice cream and M&Ns next to it saying
“love me some chocolate”, people are given a different look to someone else who
posts a similar picture saying “ My Cheat Meal”. The person who just says “love
me some chocolate” is given a unhealthy identity or that they don’t look after
themselves when in fact they could be really fit and just love chocolate.
However the person who says “Cheat Meal” people think that they must be fit or
gym junkie when in reality everyday could be their cheat meal and they just don’t show it.
However Snapchats food photography is somewhat limited. You could
say that there are times when people snap their food and say “dinner” or “date
night”. This still can cause the chain reaction of questions that I mentioned
earlier however it is only limited as after 10 seconds or 24 hours people can
no longer see it and the next set of snaps can then influence the identity.
However on discover there is a Food category that can influence the community
of Snapchat as well as on live there are festivals that have images of food which
again influences the identity of that particular culture or event being live
streamed.
reference list
Atkins, P & Bowler, I. (2001) chapter 21:the origins of taste. Food In Society:Economy, Culture, Geography (P.p273). London, Great Britian: Arnold.
Kuttainen, V (2015). BA1002:Our Space:networks, Narrativesand the making of place. Lecture 8:Food networks. (powerpoint slides). retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_2008961_1&course_id=_69740_1
I believe that this blog clearly explains how food is directly linked to the concept of identity and culture. Food is a, “…transformer of culture,” (Kuttainen, V, 2015). On Snapchat, food photography influences people’s identities and this is clearly explained. In addition, I believe that snapchat is a great communication platform which enables people to share their narratives regarding food and also to exchange snaps of their food. The fact that food has to power to alter people’s identities, means that it is powerful. Snapchat also allows people to reply to people’s food photography which means they can reply with their opinion; thus, communicating. In addition, this blog exemplifies how food can influence the entire community of Snapchat. This, again, shows just how powerful food really is.
ReplyDeleteReference List
Kuttainen, V. (2015) BA1002: Our Space: Networks, Narratives, and the Making of Place: Lecture 8. Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au on 20/09/15.
I like the idea you've introduced of food photography allowing people to choose how they're seen. I can imagine that many an overweight person might perhaps not Snap an unhealthy meal, but a more healthy one, to avoid scrutiny and taunts or because it's not a usual occurrence. The same can be said for the inverse, healthier, more active people may indeed like to advertise to others exactly what they're having on their "cheat" day, in order to celebrate the fact. The celebration of food is truly a product of the internet age. "One factor in the origin and persistence of foodways is that they often represent an important expression of our identity, both as individuals and in reference to a broader, ethnic, class or religious grouping" (Atkins, Bowler. 2001)
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Atkins, P., & Bowler, I. (2001). Food in society. London: Arnold.