anthropocene is defined as the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. The official geological time is the Holocene (begging 11,700 years ago) making Anthropocene an unofficial unit of geological time, but as humans have changed the climate and ecosystems so much recently, many are beginning to accept it as a new geological time. The national geographic go into further detail about anthropocene.
Anthropocene in photography/Mood Board:
The main issues explored in Anthropocene photography mainly the human effects, and future of or planet. We all live on the same planet, and will be doing so for many more years, so humans need to start looking after the planet that they live on. This could be through less human resources being produced (for example, recycling plastic so less new plastic will need to be made), or from being conscious of using fossil fuels (like walking to the store instead of driving and turning off lights when you leave the room). Voting for environmentally conscious governments can also help keep the planet sustainable for future generations, meaning we would not need to create a new geological time for humans effect on earth.
A lot of the photos above are showing the human effects on the environment, but allowing the viewer to work out how to solve these problems. A lot of the photos can be seen as quite beautiful, with lots of symmetry, geometric shapes, vibrant colours, and being very dramatic. This is done to draw the viewer in, and as they look, they see more details and more destruction of the natural environment. The difference between these highly human impacted areas, compared to work like Ansel Adams with the untouched, natural landscape of parts of America, it can make the viewer hope these areas wont disappeared forever in the future.
do these photographers solve the problem of environmental destruction?
Not directly, but indirectly I would say they are contributing to helping the environment. They are trying to change the viewers ideas on the environment, which it turn leads to better actions and habits that will ultimately be better for the world. For example, many photographers take photos of the plastic that’s been eaten by birds in areas full of plastic. Lots of bird see plastic as food, so they eat it and it stays in there digestive system, building up and eventually taking there life.
Mind Map of photography Ideas/ where I can take them?
I will be going to the Pyrenees over Easter, so I’m planning to take some photos over there. When I get back to jersey I will find some photographers that I like and use there photos as reference for my second photoshoot.
