An Introduction to the module and 'Critical Discourse'
For this module, I have to choose one or two topics that
were covered in the Contemporary Themes I
module from last year which can also link in with the work that was covered
in the Finding Your Place module. The
clearest link between the modules that I can find is the use of ‘Landscapes/Trees’
in the images. The Finding Your Place
work involved close-up images of tree barks whereas the work that was covered
in Contemporary Themes I, one of the
projects undertaken was a response to a John Blakemore lecture and the finished
work utilised multiple and long exposures to capture movement in the trees.
This module also introduced us to the idea of ‘Critical
Discourse’. From what I can gather of this term, it means that instead of just
researching ‘Landscapes/ Landscape Photographers’, you should look around this
subject and how it can be linked in with various social concepts. For example;
Landscapes ---- Nature
---- Modernity ---- The City
All of these social concepts can be linked in together (I
think that’s right anyway!). As well as critically analysing this higher level
of research, we should also look at how Critical Discourse can influence both our
photographic approach and practice.
