Basics Creative Photography 03: Research Methods

Description

Basics Creative Photography: Behind the Image is a lively exploration of how to undertake research. The research process influences the direction of a project and transforms the simple act of photographing into a powerful body of work. A photographer informed by research will possess the ability to create meaningful and memorable photographs.

The book brings together a wide range of different methods and invites photographers to consider innovative approaches to the way they work. Through reflection and evaluation Natasha Caruana and Anna Fox explain how all aspects of research can contribute to the realization of a dynamic body of work to bring a whole new dimension to an image. Finally, Basics Creative Photography: Behind the Image presents students of photography with a range of tools and ideas to assist them in engaging with the research process and starting to work as a reflective practitioner.

CONTENTS:

Introduction

 1. Planning
 - A research proposal
 - Being informed: history
 - Being informed: practice
 - Being informed: theory
 - Case study - Aberfan
 - Exercise - recording ideas

2. Developing ideas through research
 - Where to do background research
 - The Internet
 - Archives
 - Other interactive forms of research
 - How research informs practice
 - Case study - Flora
 - Exercise - an illustrated story

3. Practice as research
 - What to do and why
 - Studios
 - Street photography
 - Practical experimentation 1: style, genre, medium, technique
 - Practical experimentation 2: post production
 - Applying practical, historical and theoretical research to practice
 - Editing: reflection and critique through review
 - Making judgements
 - Case study - Helen Goodin
 - Exercise - pioneers of photography

4. Compiling your research
 - Keeping a workbook / sketchbook
 - Storing the archive
 - Starting your own blog
 - Case study - Putting On
 - Exercise - starting a blog

5. Research and practice: a continuous process
 - Testing the relevance of what you are doing
 - Audience and context
 - Revisiting past research
 - Thinking time, taking a sideways glance
 - Modifying a plan
 - Final production as part of the research process
 - Case study - Clare Strand
 - Exercise - context and meaning

6. The impact of research
 - The bigger picture: reflection and evaluation
 - Photographers' archives
 - Putting research into context
 - Case study - Hashem el Madani
 - Exercise - booklet

Conclusion
 Glossary
 Bibliography
 Picture credits
 Index
 Acknowledgements
 Working with ethics