ABSTRACT
In a social digital world, the role of photography has changed dramatically. This, in turn, affects how archives work with photograph collections. From being static and clearly delimited, regarded as scientific evidence, memories, documentation, or art, the photograph has become social and often a part of ongoing online conversations. Social media services that rely on visual elements have become primary channels of communication and records creation. This can be seen in the massive use of social media in all aspects of daily life, including politics and administration, in social movements, and as a platform for reactions to sudden events. The chapter will explore the challenges for archives and museums to collect social digital photography, raising questions around the roles of institutions as providers of long-term preservation and context for ephemeral media. There are a myriad of ethical, juridical, practical, and technical challenges to archiving photographs circulated on social media, some of which can be addressed through user-centred methods and participation. This changes the role of the archivist.
