Gothic Exhibition Teaches Photographers to Find Unease in the Ordinary
News

Gothic Exhibition Teaches Photographers to Find Unease in the Ordinary

SUMMARY

The 'Dark Tales: British Documentary Photography and the Gothic' exhibition at the Martin Parr Foundation showcases how documentary work can create a gothic feel by making the ordinary unsettling. Featuring over 80 years of British documentary photography, the show argues that unease is inherent in the genre. Photographers can learn from techniques like careful composition, tonal weight, and withholding narrative to imbue their subjects with a sense of disquiet, proving that horror can be found in mundane scenes.

TAKEAWAYS

The 'Dark Tales' exhibition explores how documentary photography can achieve a gothic aesthetic.

It features works from photographers like Don McCullin, Martin Parr, and Jo Spence.

The exhibition emphasizes using composition, restraint, and editing to create unease.

It suggests that the most unsettling images can be found in everyday subjects like beds or wardrobes.

RELATED COVERAGE

LensDigest archive

Browse by date

Every published day shows its story count. Select a date to open that edition.

Archive calendar

Loading available editions…