What is a typology?

A typology is a series of images focused on a shared theme or subject, consistently explored across the collection. For example, it could involve photographing every streetlamp of a certain style within a particular neighbourhood or taking pictures of a series of windows from the same perspective.

Key Aspects of Typologies in Photography

1. Subject-Based Typologies:
   • These typologies categorize photography by the subject matter of the image. For example, you might focus on people, landscapes, buildings, or everyday objects, with each category further divided into subgenres.
   Examples:
   • Portrait Photography: Captures individuals or groups to highlight their expressions and personality.
   • Landscape Photography: Focuses on nature, such as mountains, forests, and coastlines.
   • Architecture Photography: Emphasizes buildings and other man-made structures.
   • Still Life Photography: Involves photographing inanimate objects, often arranged for artistic purposes.
2. Technique-Based Typologies:
   • These typologies are based on the techniques used to create the photograph, such as camera settings, lenses, or editing methods.
   Examples:
   • Black and White Photography: Utilizes only shades of gray to focus on composition, texture, and light without color.
   • Long Exposure Photography: Uses a slow shutter speed to capture motion or create smooth effects in the image.
   • Documentary Photography: Focuses on real-life events and subjects, often telling a story or documenting social issues.
   • Experimental Photography: Involves using unconventional techniques, like double exposures or pinhole cameras.
3. Conceptual Typologies:
   • These typologies are centred on the ideas or themes behind the photograph, often conveying a deeper message or concept.
   Examples:
   • Abstract Photography: Emphasizes shapes, textures, and patterns rather than recognizable subjects.
   • Social Documentary: Addresses social, political, or cultural issues through photography.
   • Fashion Photography: Focuses on clothing and trends, often in a stylized or commercial context.

Examples of Typologies

Famous Photographers- Typologies

Bernd and Hilla Becher
Notable Work: Bernd and Hilla Becher are widely regarded as pioneers in typological photography, particularly for their systematic documentation of industrial structures like water towers, blast furnaces, and other industrial facilities. Their work emphasizes the repetitive and standardized nature of these buildings, often presented in grid arrangements to highlight both their common features and subtle differences.

Andreas Gursky
Notable Work: Andreas Gursky is renowned for his large-scale, high-resolution photographs that often explore the repetition and patterns present in contemporary life. Many of his works include typologies of architectural elements, such as rows of buildings, expansive factory floors, or crowds of people, illustrating the vast scale and systematic characteristics of modern society.

Martin Parr
Notable Work: Martin Parr is celebrated for his documentary-style photography, which frequently employs typological techniques to examine British culture and society. In several of his iconic series, he captures everyday life, including subjects such as food, holidays, and domestic scenes like doors or windows, often infusing his work with humor and social commentary.

Jeffrey Milstein
Notable Work: Jeffrey Milstein’s photography often features aerial views of cities and architectural spaces, employing a typological approach. He frequently focuses on the repetition and patterns found in building facades, windows, and urban layouts, emphasizing the geometric forms and organized structures of architecture.

Edward Weston
Notable Work: While primarily known for his nature and still-life photography, Edward Weston’s typologies often concentrated on organic forms, such as shells, vegetables, and human nudes. His approach was to photograph similar objects or shapes, highlighting their formal qualities and repeating patterns.