Project Director

Lewis, Phillip Andrew

Department Examiner

Lambert, Carolyn

Department

Dept. of Art

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This paper acts as a detailed research and understanding of amateurism within the photographic medium and practice. The research serves to unveil the influence that the turn of the 19th century amateurs in America and beyond have on contemporary photographers utilizing aspects of amateurism. The history of amateur photography is discussed as a precursor to the introduction of two contemporary photographers who utilize amateurism to varying degrees. This paper exists as a way to learn from the amateur mindset and embrace the spontaneity and magical whim of pointing and shooting. In order to satisfy the varying elements of amateurism in photography, an analysis of the amateur tones in work made by photographers Nancy Rexroth and Daido Moriyama is included after a historical discussion. Following the written portion is a series of original photographs I made. These reflect on the history of amateurism and photographic tools, as well as the examined techniques of deskilling. By reimagining amateur-esque work through my own personal lens, I encounter the moments contemporary photographers Rexroth and Moriyama seek through their practice.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Phillip Andrew Lewis and Carolyn Lambert for being two of the greatest professors I have had the privilege to learn from during my time in the art department and during my thesis work.

Degree

B. F. A.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Date

5-2021

Subject

Amateurism; Cameras; Photography

Keyword

amateurism; cameras; photography

Discipline

Photography

Document Type

Theses

Extent

[i], 48 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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Included in

Photography Commons

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