Course Resources Archive
PJD320: Photographing the Real
| Module Title | Photographing the Real |
|---|---|
| Module Code | PJD320 |
| Module Tutor | Anthony Lam |
| School | Art and Design |
| CAT Points | 15 |
| Level of Study | 6 |
| Pre-requisites | Before taking this module you must pass PJD224 or pass PJD222 |
| Co-requisites | None |
| Restrictions | None |
| Brief Description | This module looks at the realist vein of photography and its role in creating some of the most memorable images of the twentieth century. Documentary and photojournalism has extended from newspaper into the gallery and the ‘artist’s’ monograph. This practical module explores the reasons why the gallery has embraced ‘realism’ through lectures looking at the work of contemporary practitioners and undertaking practical projects. |
| Indicative Syllabus | The first photography show at Tate Modern was called Cruel and Tender. The content of the show, drawn from a wide variety of photographers, was united by an approach that could be described as realist. It emphasised the breadth of interpretation of the documentary and portrait but also raised questions as to how some of the images, originally intended to communicate immediate concerns and issues, have, with time, been reclassified as art. The work of Arbus, Friedlander and Winogrand from the mid 1960’s can be described as street photography. The later colour images of William Eggleston, Philip-Lorca di Corcia and Rineke Dijkstra fall within a realist model. In the UK Martin Parr explores the English in every facet producing a continuously evolving body of work, he is a member of Magnum, exhibits throughout the world’s major galleries and has generated work that appears in numerous books. Nan Goldin documented her personal life, and friendships as a form of visual diary, again authenticity and realism found its way into the major galleries. The realist approach aimed at gallery and publication provides the core for this module. Lectures will provide examples from the above and discussion will explore the issues of why documentary images increasingly have found a place in the artistic space. Students will be required to complete a practical project based on an agreed approach and agreed assessable outcome(s) pertaining to this module. [It is worth noting that, with due consideration and negotiation with Tutor(s), this module offers an opportunity for an exploratory project that could lead on to be developed further to form the basis for a proposal for the Major Project module]. |
| Learning Outcomes | i. Knowledge and Understanding By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: a) contemporary photographers who work with the realist image as part of a gallery based oeuvre b) the ways in which their own practice may be advanced issues surrounding ‘the real’, ‘truth’, and ‘manipulation’. c) ways of challenging existing photographic genres and representations d) the power of the photograph to take on different meanings e) the position of the viewer and their reading of the documentary image ii. Skills By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate skills in: a) communication, both visually and orally b) assessing and making informed decisions over particular ethical and legal issues that arise from undertaking photography for public display. c) making appropriate and informed decisions in assessing, selecting and editing images d) communicating sophisticated concepts through photography e) presentation of images to achieve desired response from audience |
| Learning and Teaching Activities | Staff/student contact: approx 20% Please note – staff/student contact may vary from the norm in modules with larger or smaller student numbers |
| Assessment (For further details see the Module Guide) | 001: 100% Coursework: Standard |
| Special Assessment Requirements | None |
| Indicative Resources | The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide. |
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