One Binghamton University professor was granted the title of distinguished professor by the SUNY central offices.

John Tagg, a professor of art history, was one of nine SUNY faculty members granted the Distinguished Professor Award.

Admittance to distinguished ranks is awarded yearly to professors whose work is influential and has greatly advanced their respective field. This year, nine awards were given throughout the 64 campuses in the SUNY system. In addition to the award, professors gain acceptance into the SUNY Distinguished Academy, which has more than 900 members.

Tagg’s work largely focused on the development of photography and the impact that it has had on society over time.

According to Tagg, he started his work in the 1970s, a period when there was very little research done in the field, yielding very little information about the history of photographs. According to Tagg, there were no previous models that he could work off of to start his research work.

“That was my ambition, to kick it into life,” Tagg said.

With recent developments smartphone camera technology and the skyrocketing popularity of Facebook, photography has never been more ubiquitous. Tagg said that understanding how photography affects society is a complex issue.

“How can anyone understand the role of photography today without taking a look at the past?” Tagg asked.

Tagg’s work highlights the significance and evolution of photography in the 19th century and through the 20th century. He covered many decades with his work in the hopes of exploring an area that has gone largely un-researched.

According to Tagg, photography has had a vast and complex impact on society, ranging from its impact on social interactions to historical and cultural effects. It affects different aspects of society, including allowing families to keep pictures, revolutionizing police databases and changing advertising.

Tagg said he could not have achieved the rank without help from various friends and colleagues around the world.

“Nobody gets this far without a lot of help,” he said.

Tagg said he was happy that the art history department, which has existed since the University’s opening in 1946, was receiving attention.

“The humanities have trouble getting visibility,” he said.