Visual Literacy Conference and Events 2009

The Royal Photographic Society, in collaboration with the National Media Museum and the University of Westminster, is organising a series of events in different UK venues during the Spring and Summer of 2009. Entitled “The Real Thing? - Staging, Manipulation and Photographic Truth” the series will have a unifying theme of staged photography and manipulation.

Moving through the past 170 years of photography, “The Real Thing?” will consider different photographic technologies and applications, from combination printing to digital imaging, art photography to advertising, photo-journalism to fashion and editorial photography. Underpinning each event will be issues relating to the manner in which all photographs are recorded, presented and manipulated, the role manipulation has in constructing photographic meaning and narrative, and the extent to which new technologies test our belief in the veracity of photographic realism. The intention of the photographer and the context in which images are consumed will also be explored.

By combining historical perspective with analysis of contemporary practice, “The Real Thing?” hopes to tease out similarities between widely varied and disparate imaging techniques, to explore the enduring relevance of staged photography and the consequences of its myths, metaphors, facts and fictions.

These key events will take place between April and July 2009. Dates and details of the events can be found below although some have yet to be confirmed.

COMPETITION 

To celebrate the lecture and workshop series "The Real Thing? - Staging, Manipulation and Photographic Truth" the RPS is holding a competition:

Modern Virtues, Modern Vices: Restaging Rejlander’s ‘Two Ways of Life’

By digitally combining and altering images, we want you to create a modern version of ‘Two Ways of Life’, a contemporary tableau of virtue and vice which also acknowledges Rejlander’s masterpiece.

Rejlander’s ‘Two Ways of Life’ was shown at the Manchester Art Treasures Exhibition in 1857, a display of 16,000 exhibits attracting over 1.3 million visitors, including Charles Dickens, John Ruskin and Queen Victoria. Controversial and sensational, ‘Two Ways of Life’ was printed from 32 separate negatives combined in the darkroom to make one extraordinary image. Intended to have a moral purpose, Rejlander juxtaposed a life of debauchery with one of piety.

Selection panel includes:
Mark Sealy (Director of Autograph),
Camilla Brown (Senior Curator, Photographers Gallery),
Barry Senior (President, The Royal Photographic Society),
Jane Fletcher (Writer and Curator).

Prize: £500 and a free year’s membership of the Society.
Closing Date: 30th April 2009.

FOR AN APPLICATION FORM PLEASE CLICK HERE
FOR A COPY OF THE COMPETITION FLYER CLICK HERE

EVENTS 

April 4th 2009 - The University of Westminster, London
A series of talks from contemporary photographers, for further information CLICK HERE

May - Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
A two day workshop with Tom Hunter.

July - The Media Museum, Bradford
A series of talks on historical images.

July - Impressions Gallery, Bradford
Interview with Trish Morrissey, hosted by Anne McNeill.

Throughout 2009 the RPS Special Interest Groups will be organising events to complement the theme of Staging, Manipulation and Photographic Truth.