Abstract

This is a visual presentation of the process and findings of an Action Research Project of the PgCert in Academic Practice. It explored ways of introducing antiracist photography into a studio lighting and colour accuracy workshop. Inclusively designed and problematised in dialogue with UAL colleagues, it aimed to demonstrate racial biases of photography histories and technologies, offering practical solutions so that students feel empowered, not powerless, to achieve representational justice.

Session and activities

This is a visual slideshow presentation of the process and findings of an Action Research Project of the PgCert in Academic Practice. The project responded to a gap between theory and practice within Photography education concerning lighting and colour accuracy for skin tone. With belief that questioning the perpetuation of the racial bias of photography would encourage student’s awareness of their responsibilities as photographers, the project proposed ways of fostering antiracist practice and inclusivity through a practical workshop. Designed through the lens of the Inclusive Practices unit of my studies, the workshop aimed to introduce antiracist photography and facilitate race-positive imagery–using recycled tonal paper backdrops to construct models for exploring studio lighting and colour management. Attending to ethical concerns at the core of the project, I reflected on building trust and safe spaces; balancing my position as a white staff member with the imperative to undertake antiracist interventions; and the value of problematising/co-creating a workshop intervention through dialogue with colleagues. Participants should take away a sense of responsibility to antiracist practice and continued dialogue that is necessary for those wanting to truly challenge everyday biases. Through a focus group workshop with UAL staff, and process of thematic analysis and unitisation, I established potential barriers and actions for the workshop. I focussed on 8 core actions, combining anonymised dialogue with visual documentation from the workshop. The findings emphasised that the biases of photography and anti-racist responses can uniquely be introduced through a well-structured and inclusively designed workshop that prioritises practical tasks, demonstrating problems and solutions. Participants should gain a strong sense of the suitability of practice-based learning for facilitating social and racial justice awareness and action.