Reading Assignment 3: In Defense of the Poor Image

It is not hard to find out we are more willing to see high quality pictures now by observing how the trend of cinemas and smart phones have modified every year. However, this situation does not eliminate the pictures with low defination. In Hito Steyerl's article In Defense of the Poor Image, she brought out the concept of "poor image" and explained how they are still able to present broadly in the modern world.

Steyerl believed the popularity of poor images is connected with the rapid growth of digital mediums such as computers and the Internet. The Internet is the most important medium today due to its convenience and speediness to collect information. Tons of low quality videos or pictures are floating on it. Even though high definition is the current trend in visual technology, people also preder to see images quickly. By using this advantage, poor image is able to maintain its value.

Steyerl had never given a clear definition of "poor image".  In my perspective, I define it as any image that produced in the past. The value of poor images is preserved by nostalgic feeling. I think a proper example is changing old films into the 3D version. Although these movies exist with poor visual quality, we still consider them as classics and watch them sometimes. And many film companies even improve the definition and bring them back to screen.

Regardless of how poor image is defined, we can be sure that poor image is irreplaceable. As the Internet goes faster or the time keeps passing, poor images will also become more accessible and more valuable.