The Paper Exercise

Based on the concept of ‘the everyday’ and the institutionalisation of the photograph I reflected on my own position as a Research Officer at Thames Valley University and offered a critique on the University’s Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) submission that was submitted to the University to the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). This felt appropriate from my position as a student and worker within the education institute. The RAE was the fourth of its kind to take place and was open to all Universities across the UK. The primary purpose of the exercise is to produce…

The Twilight Project

I consider narrative and tableau photography to be an important part of contemporary photography. The idea that a moment can be captured and frozen, with no beginning or end allows the reader to be more creative. The reader can draw up their own assumptions and conclusions on the story and it’s meaning through content, composition and symbols. Twilight is a fascinating time of the day, when darkness is a promise and the time itself seems to be frozen for a few minutes, giving the sense of an eerie calm.

The Everyday

This is a growing a selection of photographs of objects that can be found everyday. I have changed the object slightly in terms of usefulness. The works have connotations to the 'hum drum' of the everyday and are a visual pun at commodity culture and our needs to have all this stuff in order to survive on the planet. In a playful manner I wish the reader to question the everyday and what surrounds them; and then to perhaps smile about it.

The Order of the Land

I grew up close to the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, and for me the place represents many different eras and various transitions. I have childhood memories of running down the hills at full speed, family picnics, friends, walks, exploring nature and thoughtful contemplation. I consider it to be a place of return, a place of knowing and a place of inspiration. I have focused this body of work on walking through the landscape, which is topological in approach. The photographs that I have selected demonstrate the types of pathways that can be discovered on the hills. Many of the concrete…

EMMA LOUISE BARLEY

MA, BA (hons) PHOTOGRAPHY

The Paper Exercise

The Twilight Project

The Everyday

The Order of the Land