A reflective report written around the idea of therapy used in photography. Discovering the boundaries and how finding and creating images that comfort the loss of someone.

1. RESEARCH
REPORTPechaKucha

2. THERAPY IN
PHOTOGRAPH
Y

3. WHY A REFLECTIVE REPORT?
My current practise focuses on relationships and family, obtaining
a personal connection within my images. A reflective report will
give me the opportunity to reflect on my work and development
discussing how photography becomes therapy for those
experiencing grief. As a result of creating personal work a
reflective report seemed suitable in comparison to the other
options.

4. RESEAR
CH

5. SUBJECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY:
THEORIESI am yet to look into the theories of practitioners creating work
from a subjective approach. It will be more relevant if I look into
those that have created work based around the loss of someone
because it will fit better with my essay question and current
project.
I also want to look into the boundaries that need to be considered
during a subjective approach. Depending on topic and models it
could be fairly straight forward. However with a topic like my
grandmother and remembering those who we have lost can
make not only myself but others around me distressed.

6. SUBJECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHERS
From the research I have put together for my visual logbook I will
most likely use them within my research report. Some have been
a massive influence on my project so far and have similar stories
behind them.
As well as explaining the subjective approaches from
photographers and other artists I would like to compare and
contrast their differences. This could be really interesting and
fascinating to realise how individually they produce images based
on the same subject.

7. LARRY SULTAN: PICTURES FROM
HOMEInitially photographing his parents
to explore American families he
actually became personally
attached to the project.
He realised that he wanted time
to stop so that his parents could
live forever. Little things such as
photographing the underside of
his mothers foot for the first time
suddenly made it much more
personal for him.

8. SURVEY
Within my research report I would like to show the results of how
the perspective of an image can be read with and without
context. A documentary image is supposed to be able to tell a
narrative without any text however this isn’t always achieved.
With the images I’ve produced so far I believe I have managed to
get across the message that’s intended but are all the signs
there? With a survey I will ask the individual what they believe is
going on within the image alone with no context. Then I will show
the same image again along with the context and hopefully
discover the impact the context has on an image.

9. THERAPY IN PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography isn’t just for professional use. It is used everyday by
the majority of the public and is often used as a memory
keepsake. Especially for those we have lost in the past, an image
of that person becomes very valuable. Just as well as moving
image - the sound of that persons voice is nostalgic.
Therefore those valuable images and videos become comfort to
those who are missing their loved ones. Without those images
we only have our memory to remind ourselves of that person
which isn’t accurate.

10. ANALYS
IS &
PRACTI
SE

11. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MY CURRENT
PROJECT?➤ My Grandmother
I bring a personal approach to my current project by displaying our
relationship and closeness and how it has been formed. She has a
big part on my life from beginning to this present day. Without her I
don’t think I would have been able to go through what I have in life.
The idea of creating work based around that has been comforting
which then created the question: does photography comfort grief?
This is where my research report has developed from.
I have also considered moving image within this project and have
had a couple of practises. It’s a requirement within most
photography jobs therefore I believe it’s important I get it right this
year before I finish.

13. WHAT & WHERE ARE THE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MY PRACTICE?➤ Freelance Lifestyle Photographer
Freelance has always been a career path I have considered.
Outside of university I photograph for friends and family during
their special occasions. Weddings, maternity/newborn, family
portraits and more are accurate representations of people,
places, objects and events which sits with documentary
photography. I can benefit from this because of my experience
and knowledge.
However there is that worry becoming freelance and especially
within Norfolk. Without your own niche it can be difficult to find
work and clients that are interested in your photos.