Landscape Strategies
Bill Brandt

Page contents:

1) Why use Twenty24?

2) How do I use Twenty24?

Twenty24 is designed specifically to help photographers create ideas for projects. It is unique in its structure, photographers and images are linked not by chronological order, or by genre, or by groupings or 'isms' but instead by theme. I believe that what a photographer has to say is much more important than the year in which they created it or the group they tended to be influenced by. The context of each photographer is, however, discussed in some detail as this site does not suggest that photographers work in isolation.

Twenty24 aims to provide you with information to help you develop ideas. It does not provide set themes but instead encourages you to produce your own ideas. You should consider your interests before beginning your search. E.g. If you really dislike taking pictures of landscapes then either: avoid the landscape strategies section or tackle this aversion head on and find a way of making this subject interesting to you or make your work different from all the other photographers who have explored this very popular theme.

Twenty24 provides valuable historical and contemporary research materials. The site looks at photographers working from the mediums invention (e.g. Talbot, Cameron etc.) to those working to this day e.g. (Aziz & Cuchers digital work, Calum Colvin, Cindy Sherman). It features the well known (Ansel Adams!) through to those who are perhaps not as publicised (Jedrzejczyk, Besyno, Kern etc.)

Twenty24 presents an in-depth review of each photographer and provides a breakdown of some of the themes they could be said to have explored. These lists are not meant to be exhaustive or comprehensive but suggest ways of contextualising the work of others.

You should consider why photographers have been placed in certain sections (you will of course find that most photographers can be placed in most sections).
But why do you think they have been placed in this particular section?
Do you agree with this decision? Why?
Consider photographers you have encountered before and how you would discuss the theme/s they have explored?

The home page introduces you to the selection of themes you can explore. Once you have considered where to begin you will be taken by clicking on a link to a more specific theme main page. Each theme has its own introductory page which will then enable you to look deeper into either a particular theme that interests you, a picture that conveys a message or feeling, or to a photographer you may wish to research further.

Each theme is broken down into sub-sections with more themes inside. These sub-themes are then broken down into photographers who can be seen as practicing this issue. You can therefore research on a variety of levels to suit your own particular interests and needs.

The search list which can be found by clicking on the link on the main page provides a direct link to individual practitioners, so if you have already visited this site before and explored a theme you can go directly to a particular page.

The home page introduces you to a selection of themes for you to explore.
You should spend some time considering which theme interests you. The theme you explore could be based on a recent project, or an area you have never looked at photographically before. An image may trigger a reaction, either negative or positive, and you should then explore the image further and the links that have taken you there.

Once you have considered where to begin, you will be taken, by clicking on a link (which will be either text or an image) to a more specific theme main page.

Each theme has its own introductory page which aims to enable you to look deeper into either a particular theme that interests you, a picture that conveys a message or feeling, or to a photographer you may wish to research further.

The themes main page also contains a panel of text which discusses some of the more specific themes explored by the photographers featured in this part of the site. Note down any names that have featured a particular theme and then find the connection/ link to find more in-depth information.

Note that all links may not necessarily be obvious at first sight and you are encouraged to look around the page and explore the Twenty24 site.

You should consider how the themes main page is structured and why is it constructed in that way.
Consider why the photographer is placed in a particular section?
Would you have placed their work in this section or not?
Why? Or Why not?
Do you think that the theme has missed out some very obvious photographers?
If so, research their work and contact me via e-mail (use the contact me button on the home page!)
Begin to consider how you may wish to present your own individual ideas of this theme.
Begin by brainstorming the work you have seen.
Find more examples of photographers work represented in this site.
If you are particularly interested in a specific photographer then look at the search index on the home page.

If you still require help in formulating an idea or making a more concrete strategy then each main page has a project clickable link. Use this link to visit a page that sets out a range of projects and titles which you could take directly as a question to research, brainstorm, and develop photographically.

The search index of photographers on the home page will take you to a list of links to all the photographers featured in this site. You will also find a list of links to pages outside of this site (recommended for educational content and for research possibilities). Again this list of links is not exhaustive and if you have your own suggestions of sites you think should be included then contact me.

Gender & Stereotypes
Cindy Sherman