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Searching for Magic in Dog Town: A Photographic Journey

Files

Exegesis(4.14 MB)

Date

2015

Authors

Supervisor

Jansen, Dieneke
Robertson, Natalie

Item type

Exegesis

Degree name

Master of Art and Design

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

This project began as an exploration of Henry F. Talbot’s 1839 description of his new photographic process as “a little bit of magic realized”. It examines the role of sympathetic magic and the participation of non-human agencies in the creation of the photograph and explores the potential of photography to evoke a sense of re-enchantment with the everyday environment. The project defocuses on a minor suburban waterway, the Mangaone Stream in Palmerston North, an unsung remnant of a significant ancient wetland. As the project unfolded, it became a personal journey of exploration of a familiar environment not normally renowned for its magical potential. The methodology includes the development of a ‘magical ’ photographic praxis, utilising simple, analogue, zone-plate cameras , and silver gelatin based media that reference historical processes. The project attempts to rekindle Talbot’s sense of magic at a time when the ability to photograph has become commonplace and unquestioned.  

Description

Keywords

Analogue photography, Magic, Zone plate camera, Mangaone stream, Ailver gelatin glass plate, Dog Town

Source

DOI

Publisher's version

Rights statement

Permanent link

https://hdl.handle.net/10292/9485

Collections

Masters Theses