As I move into the final two weeks before my viva voce examination, I have decided to take a break from writing in my Critical Research Journal. While reflecting through writing here has been an integral part of my practice for five years and a helpful way of preparing for the big day, I want to concentrate on focused preparation activities for the next ten days. This final post before the break is designed to answer what insights my practice-led research has uncovered.
- Using a circular and recursive model in my practice-led research has ensured appropriate attention has been paid to my ontology, epistemology, methodology and methods, providing me with a touchstone for my practice and a constant reminder of the entangled nature of the components of my research model.
- Through observation, experiments in essence and subsequently allure, reflection, and a little bit of philosophy it is possible to clarify and articulate the drivers and purpose of one’s practice.
- Recognising the camera’s technical capabilities as an instrument it is possible through the photographic image to reduce space and freeze time thus providing a glimpse of the Real Qualities of an object. By using strategies such as reduction, metaphor, and abstraction it is possible to draw the viewer into the entangled world of Being.
- Testing the artistic application of philosophical positions in the field can provide insights into philosophical questions and ideas that are not accessible through the time-honoured tradition of academic debate. For example, are there ways you can gain a glimpse of the noumena? Yes, by using the camera’s unique characteristics as an instrument through the Sensory Object to its Real Qualities via Eidos. My images demonstrate how this can be done by drawing the viewer in.
- Entering a non-conscious state of awareness through various meditative cues such as raising the camera to my eye, focusing intensely on the movement in water, reflections, or changes in light and shade enables the photographer to enter a Zonal Flow or Dwelling State.
These five points are inevitably the highlights and there is so much more I could write about my research journey but that is for another day.
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.
Wishing you all the very best with your viva. I hope all your preparation pays off and everything goes really well. Just to say again how much I have enjoyed sharing your research journey and your beautiful pictures.
Many thanks for your good wishes and kind words. I have been grateful for your support over the past three years.
I discovered your blog before starting my own MA journey at Falmouth. It has been informative and inspirational and I wish you well with your upcoming examination. Thank you for putting your journey so thoughtfully and beautifully.
Thank you so much for your comments. It is great when I hear from regular readers. I wish you well with your MA.