The History of Photography

Purpose of the Assignment

Learners will carry out research into the processes, techniques and photographers who transformed photography from early beginnings to the sophisticated medium that we know today.

They will analyse the technical and aesthetic changes that have both helped and hindered the acceptance of photography as socially responsible documentation and develop and argument for the role of photography as an art form.

To achieve this unit, a learner will:

1. Understand the work and contribution to photography of photographers between 1825 and 1870.
2. Understand the work and contribution to photography of photographers between 1920 and 1945.
3. Understand the work and contribution to photography of photographers between 1950 and the present.
4. Understand how the genre of landscape photography has progressed.
5. Understand how the introduction of digital photography has changed the practice of photography.

Scenario

You are the Photographer in Residence at the Open Eye Museum in Liverpool. You have been asked to collate information for an upcoming exhibition on the history of photography, as well as providing work of your own, influenced by your research.

Task

Your task is to produce 5 illustrated essays containing research into the processes, techniques and photographers who transformed photography from early beginnings to the sophisticated medium that we know today. You will analyse the technical and aesthetic changes that have both helped and hindered the acceptance of photography as socially responsible documentation and develop an argument for the role of photography as an art form.

You are to produce 12 images showing how you have been influenced by the work of your research photographers.

All work must be presented on a blog.