Notes made in lesson:
Context is:
• What else is going on as this image is made? “Looking deeper than the surface of the image.”
• The environment in which the image is made – What’s going on at the time – world news etc.
• Background information which helps us ‘read’ images in more depth.
• Making us question what we see on the surface of the image.
“Why do we need to do this?”
• You cannot ignore 173 years of Photographic history.
• Image making professionals have that knowledge (mostly).
• Learning to think, write and talk about your own work and that of others WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER.
Context can Be:
• Technological
• Historical
• Geographical/Cultural
• Physical – in Display
• Political – government.
• political – politics of representation. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PERSON WHOSE TAKING THE PICTURE AND PERSON WHO IS IN THE PICTURE.
• Human/ Personal
• ‘The Pencil of Nature’ – Book by William Henry Fox Talbot. (Inventor of the Negative)
• Talbot set a pressed leaf on a piece of sensitized paper, covered it with a sheet of glass and set it in the sun. – more info on this on – (metmuseum.org)
“The Art of Photographic Drawing”
• Edward Curtis – American Photographer , Documents Native American tribes.
• Late 19th early 20th century.
• George Washington’s idea of ‘civilizing’ Native Americans in preparation for assimilation as US citizens in the early 19th century.
• 1968 Olympics.
• Tommie Smith and John Carlos receive gold and bronze medals for USA in the 200m
• The US National Anthem plays and they make the black panther salute.
• Quote – (www.guardian.co.uk, March 2012)
“be true to yourself even when it hurts.”
• Christian Boltanski – Using photographs of missing children to make into a piece of art. LOOK UP.
• Christian B – 1980s, French artist of Catholic and Jewish heritage, Images of children used in his art pieces from Holocaust.
“What is the Geographical/Cultural context of an image?”
The context of a Geographical/Cultural image is when the geographical location is an influence of the culture of the location. Meaning that different groups of culture are an influence and are influenced by where they inhibit in a geographical location. In a sense the image of the Red Indian by Edward Curtis has a first impression of the culture just by the native appearance of the Red Indian. But when looking behind the initial appearance you find that the location goes hand in hand with the culture. This then feeds into a historical context even Political.
Different contexts should cross over with each other.
Technological – Being aware of the technology/equipment used at the time of the image but also used at any time for a particular meaning.
Historical- An awareness of historically what’s going on at the time of the image. This has a cross over to Political as well.
Geographical/Culture – Location and culture are entwined in contemporary times. However you can recognise history to an image by how separate the cultures might be. Keeping in mind the photographers cultural/ geographical background.
Physical – In Display – Where an image is seen. Whether it’s been published in a magazine or displayed in a gallery. This all effects how a viewer is to see an image.
Political – Politically you have to be aware of what’s going on at the time. Deciding whether the image is for or against a particular issue. This idea then feeds into personal politics. Keeping in mind PROPAGANDA!
political- A representation of how a group might want to be seen and how they are actually seen. Important aspect REPRESENTATION.
Context of Practice: Task 1:
• Can find document on E-studio.
• Brief title – ‘Histories & Genres’
• Looking at the idea of the different histories and genres of Photography.
“You will develop an understanding of the several ‘histories’ of photography and look at the idea of photographic genres”
PART 1: 3000 word essay which uses Havard referencing and has a bibliography of at least 8 different sources. You must paraphrase or quote from atleast 4 of these. A Blog of short writing tasks which will be set in sessions.
PART 2: 4 photographic images that demonstrate an understanding of Photographic histories and contexts. Please see E-studio for outline and details of requirements.
• Sylvan Barnet’s book – “ A short guide to writing about art” – see pages 29-31 on ‘context’ , page 53 on ‘form’ and ‘content’, pages 113-116 on ‘formal analysis’ , and on writing clearly and economically pages 187-219.
FOR MORE SUGGESTIONS (PREPARATION AND RESEARCH) LOOK AT BRIEF ON E-STUDIO.
Briefing: 24th September 2012
Interim Crit/Formative Feedback: 11th or 18th February 2013
Summative Feedback: 15th or 22nd April 2013
Deadline: Part 1&2, Wednesday 13th March 2013
1. 3000 word essay.
2. Blog of writing tasks/and records of crits.
3. 4 Photographic Prints.
BOOK TITLES:
• “Photography: A cultural history” by Mary Warner Marien.
• “The Photograph” By Grahame Clarke.
• “Photography: A Critical Introduction.” By Liz Wells.
• Look on E-studio for any more reference books/powerpoints.
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