Typology Photography

Typology Photography derives from the term, 'the study of types'. The term 'Typology' began in 1957 when Bernd and Hilla Becher gave the name to their style of photography. These two photographers often focused on industrial structures such as blast furnaces, water towers and coal mine heads.

Water Towers by Hilla Becher

When photographing their subjects they would make sure that each photograph was taken in the same way. This would include camera settings, lighting, time of day and positioning. One common characteristic that stood out in their work was that they would take the photographs on overcast days as this gave the subject a soft, diffused, even light with no strong shadows. The images were then commonly displayed in a grid as this made it easier to compare each photograph.

I have been given the task of creating my own Typology by studying a subject and photographing it in the same and consistant way. I will then be required to display them in a grid containing at least 9 photographs. As the rivers in Hull are a big part of the city's Maritime history which is something the city is famous for, i have decided to photograph Boat Mooring Bollards as they are a remaining part of the now redundant, Maritime history..

Boat Mooring Bollard by Me

This is an image i previously took around 3 years ago of a bollard down the River Hull in the Wincolmlee area of Hull. I think these will be an interesting subject as because the majority of these bollards are now unused they have been left to decay resulting in some interesting colours and textures.