Politics of Urban semiotics in selected street photos from webb's the suffering of light and a city of a hundred names

Abstract

This thesis explores the intricate interplay between urban semiotics and cultural identity in selected photographs from Alex Webb’s The Suffering of Light and A City of a Hundred Names through a detailed analysis of some selected images. Employing theoretical frameworks from Roland Barthes, Susan Sontag, and Stuart Hall, the research examines the visual strategies employed by Webb to convey themes of visibility, cultural negotiation, and the human experience within the urban landscape. The findings reveal that Webb’s photographs serve not only as documentation of everyday life but also as critical commentaries on the socio-political dynamics shaping cultural identities, illuminating the interactions between tradition and modernity, the visible and the hidden, and the self and the other. By analyzing Webb’s approach to light and shadow, his nuanced use of spatial tension, and the oftenambiguous relationships among his subjects, this thesis emphasizes how these visual elements amplify the emotional resonance of his work. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how street photography functions as a medium for exploring the broader implications of globalization, displacement, and cultural hybridity in contemporary society. Ultimately, this thesis positions Webb’s work as a visual discourse that interrogates the boundaries of identity, agency, and belonging in an increasingly interconnected world. Keywords: street photography, semiotics, urban, culture, politics