The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch dating from the commencement of significant human impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems, including, but not limited to, anthropogenic climate change. Jersey exports 12,000 tons of ash a year to the Uk for it to be made in to construction material.
Edward Burtynsky is a famous photographer known for his pictures of the impact of human industry. the picture above this is one of his photos its showing people scraping a cargo ship you can smoke polluting the environment and fire in the background and that’s also polluting the planet.
the origins of the word Anthropocene is derived from the Greek words anthropo for “man,” and cene for “new,” coined and made popular by biologist Eugene Stormer and chemist Paul Crutzen in 2000
here’s mind map of Anthropocene photography and all the photos are from the Edward Burtynsky
who: I want my photos to include some people, interacting with the environment around them- showing how our impact has effected the scenery I will be photographing. However, I will also take some photos without any people to create a deserted look in them, portraying the idea of abandonment, how they have used the environment for their own gain and now left it to slowly deal with the damage.
what: I will want to photograph construction sites with people working on it, abandoned buildings, natural places with waste, and also big buildings in town (to create images inspired by Stephanie Yung).
where: I will go around St. Helier to capture the urban landscapes in our town, capturing busy areas in interesting ways. I will also go to more rural places where I can capture the impact of humans on the environment.
when: I will take most of my pictures at the weekend as that is when town will be busiest and I will be able to capture people interacting with the world around them in natural ways. I will take most of my pictures during the day however some pictures could be taken near the end of the day, capturing buildings in a different way that is not so commonly seen as normally.
how: I will use a tripod (especially when going out at night) to take the low exposure and slow shutter speed photos. I will also use techniques like exposure bracketing to create images inspired by the artist Stephanie Yung.
why: I believe all of these destinations will be a good way of presenting the Anthropocene through my work, and the impact humans have on the world.
Mandy Barker is an award winning British photographic artist whose work involving marine plastic debris has received global recognition. Her work has been exhibited, published and collected worldwide.
WHAT IS HER PHOTOGRAPHY TRYING TO EMPHASIZE?
Her work is trying to emphasize how humanity is negatively impacting the Earth. She creates artistic work that shows real life tragedies of what is happening around us.
WHAT IS BARKERS PROJECTS TRYING TO DO WITH THE AUDIENCE?
While her photographs are aesthetically pleasing to look at they hold a deeper meaning she is hoping to reach with the audience. She realised in her previous project when she took a picture on sight on the beach the audience didn’t engage enough she hoped, due to this she created a more colourful and bright image using vibrant plastics on a black velvet sheet. This seemed to engage with the audience more since it look more appealing. Due to Barkers project being so big she asked her viewers to help her collect plastics they find, she received many messages with people complying with her task.
MOODBOARD:
Mandy Barker INDEFINITE project
‘The objects shown are unwashed and unaltered, as found on the shore. Forms and shapes are reminiscent of sea creatures, but these are man-made from plastic, the very material that proves fatal to the animals and organisms themselves. As they gradually begin to break down, they are likely, ultimately, to be ingested as microplastic particles.’
