l’éthique en photographie

Cornelia Hummel is Associate Professor at the Department of Sociology and a member of the Institute for Sociological Research (IRS) at the University of Geneva. She is also a member of the Committee for Research Ethics at the University of Geneva. Her work is focussed on the sociology of age and ageing.
She is currently leading the SNSF research project ‘Aging Humans, Changing Homes’, which deals with the reconfiguration of the home with the introduction of socio-technical objects ‘of ageing’.

Virginie Rebetez, a visual artist based in Lausanne, explores through her photographic work the notions of disappearance and presence-absence. Her projects, often at the intersection of fiction and documentary, question the relationship between the photographed subject and the resulting image. She will share her insights on the ethical dimension of artistic photography, particularly regarding respect for the individuals and stories she captures.

Klaus Petrus, a documentary photographer and researcher, combines his photographic practice with a deep ethical reflection on the representation of subjects, especially in the context of photojournalism. His work focuses on migration, minorities, and marginalized communities, encouraging reflection on the photographer’s responsibility towards their subjects. He will discuss the challenges related to the faithful and respectful representation of the individuals and communities he documents.

The discussion will be moderated by Swiss journalist Lydia Gabor, who will guide the conversation on these complex issues.

This panel promises to be a rich moment of exchange, highlighting contemporary ethical issues in photography, between artistic practice and social engagement.