This has been the most difficult part of preparing for assessment for me. I looked over the learning outcomes several times, as was non the wiser. They just did not make much sense to me. I did email student services but have not had a reply, probably due to the ongoing pandemic. I decided to take it step by step and figure out what each learning outcomes was asking for. I then looked through my learning log and tried to match them up. I believe I have do so but I hope I have provided suitable links to the appropriate learning outcomes.
Here is a link to my word document, and below is it written out:
I have used the OCA Course guide for assessment of Photography units (March 2021 version) to help me prepare this document.
Learning Log Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcome 1
undertaken research and study demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of your area of specialism and built a theoretical framework for your creative practice.
I have undertaken extensive research to support my learning and development. I have compiled a large amount of research for my work to help build a theoretical framework and my extended project.
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/13/assignment-one-research/
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/09/03/gaze/
Learning Outcome 2
synthesised and articulated your critical, contextual and conceptual knowledge and understanding into a coherent critique of advanced academic standard.
I have developed my critical, contextual and conceptual knowledge throughout this course. I believe I have improved my critical analysis.
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/part-one-visual-culture-in-practice/
Learning Outcome 3
applied your own criteria of judgement, reviewed, criticised and taken responsibility for your own work with minimum guidance.
I have critiqued my own work as I have developed. I have taken note of areas where I need to improve on and have taken it upon my self to improve these points.
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2020/02/13/preparation-and-commentary/
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/11/01/reflective-commentary/
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2021/01/30/critique/
Learning Outcome 4
selected and applied information management skills and used appropriate technology in the production of an accomplished critique with minimal supervision.
I have used my skill in order to decide the relevance of particular aspects for my work. I have used various sources to find these resources. I have utilized journal, books, websites, and other academic sources.
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-four-first-draft/
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-five-final-draft/
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/11/01/reflective-commentary/
Assignment Development
As suggested by the Course Guide for assessment of Photography units (March 2021 version), I have discussed my assignment development below.
Assignment Two – Literature Review
After receiving feedback for my Literature Review I reworked it.
My original submission can be found here:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/11/01/literature-review/
My feedback can be found here:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/30/assignment-two/
For the rework I took my tutor’s comments on board. I chose three main relevant texts to my field of work and introduced them and their relevance to my work. I have reworked the main bulk of the assignment in order to get the best result. I have kept some of the original work, as I discuss other reasons for the inequality, which is missed in the main texts. Here is my reworked literature review:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2020/02/16/rework/
Assignment Three – Plan
For this assignment I submitted my plan, which featured an outline of my chapters and what I was going to discuss. I also included the first 1000 words.
Here is a link to this assignment:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-three-plan/
My feedback for this assignment can be found here:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/30/assignment-three/
I noted that I needed to narrow down and state my central thread for my work, which was lacking. Whilst I have the research, I also need to use it to support my work.
For my introduction I just stated an idea, I need to build on this and develop it. This leads to my fourth assignment, which was the first draft. Here I attempted to correct these mistakes. I tired to work on my methodology and my central aim. My second chapter discusses the male gaze in relation to landscapes. My third chapter looks at pedagogy.
Assignment Four – First Draft
Here is my original submission for the fourth assignment:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-four-first-draft/
Following feedback I still needed to work on a few things. Whilst my methodology had developed I needed to work on it further. There were sections I needed to rework for example my work on the male gaze comparison. I also need to discuss the history of the FSA. I also need to look at the main theorist of the male gaze, which is Laura Mulvey. I have done research on her work, so I know need to rework and introduce it into my work.
Here is my tutor’s feedback:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/30/assignment-four/
Assignment Five – Final Draft
For this draft I worked through my essay and made changes:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/05/31/assignment-five-final-draft/
I have reworked chapter two and a few pieces in chapter three. I have included my abstract.
Here is my feedback:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2019/08/30/assignment-five/
Whilst my work has improved, I need to fine-tune some things. There are a few things in chapter one to develop. Chapter two requires the most work. I need to develop my argument about the FSA and decided whether my piece on Catherine Opie is needed.
Here is my final submission:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2020/12/14/rework-final-draft/
I have reworked my extended project based on my tutor’s feedback and my own critique of my work. I have developed my second chapter and have removed my section about Catherine Opie’s work, as essentially it was not adding anything to my argument. I have tidied up my document and have worked on my abstract and have found my work feels complete.
Here is a link to my critique on my work as a whole on this course:
https://georginascontextualstudies.photo.blog/2021/01/30/critique/
Abstract
As suggested by the Course Guide for assessment of Photography units (March 2021 version), I have included my abstract below. The word count is 499.
Abstract
My work looks at the gender inequality in landscape photography. Religion, history and tradition have all contributed to the inequality we see. Certain characteristics have led to the inequality we see today. For example, the promotion of the Virgin Mary, of the ideal women in religion, has had far reaching effects into our society. Women are expected to be the ideal women, who can do everything, which is impossible. Traditional views that keep women as the homemakers and caregivers are detrimental for women trying to work in landscape photography. Views that are derivatives of a patriarchal society are kept alive and dampen a woman’s chance in landscape photography.
Developing from this, I will look at the influence of the male gaze. The male gaze has long reaching consequences. Not only does it objectify women, it goes further and effectively devalues women and their work, which is why it is causing harm to the genre. It is dangerous, and can refer to the views men experience that empower them. In landscape photography, the male gaze has conquered feminine nature. As men dominate landscape photography, we see the world through one gaze; this influences our views in society. We see that men hold the power. It makes some people believe landscape photography is a male only pursuit as they only see male photographs. Male and female gazes also influence the photographs people take, their method and aims differ.
Artists have tried to highlight this, but they have done so in a way in which needs a male artist as a base for theirs, by doing this they are not succeeding in fighting the male gaze, despite the strides that have been made. Problems with the male gaze extend into galleries, where inequality is rife. Art by men are exhibited more but they also hold the power in how the galleries and institutions are run. Men are also in the majority in the collector sphere. To help the inequality in landscape photography, a complete shake-up of the galleries and institutions is needed. Women need to be in decision-making positions, and the art that is shown should be diversified.
Another solution can be achieved through education. Pedagogy introduced early on with teachers equipped and trained to implement it will help fight inequality. Gender-neutral classrooms for children will have long reaching advantages. This will help address the illusion that some roles are for women and some are for men. This will help expand the range in landscape photography, as it won’t be seen as a career that is off-limits to women, the world won’t be constantly working against them. But from my research, it shows it is difficult to implement these changes. Gender inequality can be put right in landscape photography but things will need to change. These deep ingrained beliefs have become natural to us, which make these traditions difficult to break, but society has made strides. Things are improving. Strides have been made successfully but there is still a ways to go.
Key Words: landscape photography, gender inequality, tradition, religion, Virgin Mary, expectations, history, phallogocentrism, hegemony, male gaze, pedagogy
Georgina's Contextual Studies 