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Photography
A very short time ago the photographic image was considered to be facing a crossroads in its evolution. It had taken a starring role in what Frederic Jameson describes as, 'the total saturation of the cultural space by the image', arriving to great applause in the gallery and museum to take up earlier conversations held within traditions of painting and other representational media. It was feared that the incorporation of digital technology into the production and distribution of photographic images would create anxiety amongst practitioners as to where the medium, albeit, in the, 'age of the post medium condition', might be heading. There was considerable debate about whether the creative processes that evolved around photography since its invention in the 19th century would become redundant and irrelevant at some point in the 21st.
In the second half of the first decade of the 21st century a clearer assessment of the role of the photographic image is emerging. Photographic images with all their magic, mystery and wonder, continue to play a significant role within contemporary visual culture. Their elusive qualities in relation to representation make them central to many art practices. While their ease of distribution secures their role in extending the reach of global capitalism through advertising and publicity. Now, however, the range of possibilities for creating them is rapidly expanding. At the same time, the body of knowledge concerned with analysing their impact on visual culture and the wider society is becoming increasingly insightful.
As the field of possibility continues to expand in all directions, the future opportunities for creative experimentation, interpretation and analysis will further increase. In this environment, an understanding of the creative processes and theoretical discourses that have enabled photography to assume such an important role in contemporary visual culture becomes ever more relevant. The BA (Hons) in Photography offers students the practical and theoretical tools with which to effectively interrogate photography's evolving role in contemporary society.
The Photography Course Team would like to extend their thanks to the many people that have offered tuition, guidance, and support, through their contacts over the last four years with the class of 2009. To the students themselves, we thank you, for your important contribution to the rich history and culture of studying photography at IADT. We wish you every success in your future careers.