ABSTRACT
For photography students in HE, in
common with photographers in a pro -
fessional context, ‘research’ is generally
understood as the process of thinking,
planning and information gathering that
influences the decisions made in the
creation of an art work. In other words a
process that is for most practitioners, ‘a
Research in this sense is centred on the
personal goals of the maker and ‘any
assertions embodied in [the art works] are
So, for example, at BA level the core
learning is concerned with the basics. This
includes developing a portfolio of generic
knowledge including research skills and
critical awareness and understanding of
historical and contemporary practices as
well as extending the practical skills
necessary to engage with photography at
an advanced level. For example, Thu Thuy
Pham describes the Final Major Project of
her BA (Hons) Fashion Photography
course as ‘the consolidation of specific
subject knowledge’. Rather than simply
taking photographs students are
encouraged to use photography as a tool
of investigation, which involves accurate
interpretation or analysis of the information
garnered through the research process
and as Thu Thuy Pham highlights,
‘synthesise the findings into final outcomes
appropriate for your subject specialism’.
