Time, Space, and Identity Interaction in Metaverse Photography

Metaverse, as the early-stage practice of visualising fully immersive virtual environments and user communication, has blended the virtual and physical world (Zhao et al., 2022). It has compressed the normative perception of time and space. Yet since there is rarely research that focuses on the technical framework of how Metaverse photography has the potential to impact how users perceive time, space, and identities. Unlike normative photography which has been explored from profound visual, ethnographic, and cultural perspectives, Metaverse photography brings photographers and viewers together for an interactive experience (Hughes, 2022). This research will conduct a Walkthrough examination of current Metaverse photography platforms and explore the framework of Metaverse technologies in the photography aspect. Through the step-by-step observation on profile setting, creation process, and daily online interactions. Metaverse photography has emerged a distinctive dynamic of identity exchange between creators and audiences. Moreover, coming from the nature of Metaverse technology, time and space can be recreated in the digital space, not only by creators but also the audiences. As this is by far one of the first research in analysing Metaverse photography, it will provide references for further research in Metaverse technology and photography visual practice creation.