The repository I chose was the The Los Angeles Times Image Collection. The Collection can be viewed by a variety of tags in relation to different aspects of the photo. You can browse by coverage, language, name, publisher, subject, and type. Upon entering the page you can browse the images through a beta image viewer which lists the photos alphabetically, and enables you to click on the letter which resonates with the first letter of the name of the photo.
The collection consists of photonegative following individuals and stories in Southern California form 1917- 1932 which are glass negatives, 1925-45 nitrate negatives, and 1935-1990 which are categorized as safety negatives These prints includes mainly Los Angeles related stories but can also focus on stories in San Diego and Orange County. These images are still life photos and include 11,569 items within the repository itself.
When looking at the archive it is easy to look up photos based on name and type, however there is no category for date in which too look and search for a particular date and time. Dates are important for research based projects. Instead of sifting through over 11,000 + photos, it would be beneficial to the maker of the archive to add in a tag based on a particular date range. Throughout the earl 20th century, many controversial topics took place, and while you can search by Topic having date is important. I think it is also noteworthy for this particular repository to include visual links, for a visual and virtual timeline, that way you can understand the progression of photos and events falling one after another over time.
The variety of topics associated with this collection ranges from abortion to floats within the Rose Parade in Pasadena each year. The amount of research projects that can stem from these photos is vast, however the content given is specific in that Los Angeles and New York could be compared quite simple if there was to have another repository which documented the same situations going on in New York as in Los Angeles.
This Repository is helpful in establishing a visual connection with an academic conversation. For example, the study of abortion and right to life can be documented through visual marches, and women holding signs and protesting. The connection with the visual and conversation is important for fully understanding a piece of work, and I believe this repository contributes to that conversation.
I do, however, have to say that the way in which to search photos is not simple for the occasional browser. I found it frustrating trying to navigate from photo to photo away from the original home page. With a little bit of work this site can be much more navigable to the public and scholars.