As we near the end of our first module on the MA Photography I have been reflecting on where I am on my photographic journey. I joined the course to improve my photography and learn more about the theoretical side of the discipline as well as to explore new genres and approaches. Indeed, my project on The Road to Elgol for me is a significant shift from the wildlife genre I have largely pursued over the last ten years. For my research project I am taking a photojournalistic approach (which is new for me) in documenting the road from Broadford to Elgol – exploring my experience (phenomenology), understanding (ontology) and knowledge (epistemology). I am also choosing to work in monochrome.
In a recent webinar my tutor challenged me to take more risks in my Work in Progress Portfolio and the images I was making. For me, I am feeling that my photography and understanding of the discipline has been thrown up in the air and the pieces have been distributed and reordered in a way that is unfamiliar to me. At this point, I am not sure how I am going to put the pieces of the puzzle back together. This is creating uncertainty for me and is threatening the authenticity of my work, my photographic voice and style and potentially my “mojo”.
I am hoping that through my Research Proposal and the submission of my Work in Progress Portfolio I can start to bring my thoughts together in concluding the Positions and Practice module.
Alison Price
My name is Alison Price and for the past ten years I have travelled the world photographing wildlife, including Alaska, Antarctica, Borneo, Botswana, the Canadian Arctic, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.