Our understanding of distant countries is predominantly formed by images. Geographic publications play a key role in this process, but do the images they print tell us more about the culture and interests of the readership than that of the subjects they portray? Given that photography was invented in the west and western photographers have remained the predominant influence is it possible to establish regional differences in photographic culture?

This research question investigates the historical development of the geographical image and it’s relation to colonial interest and power. It questions the continual representation of the continent of Africa through the use of the exotic and the miserable and critically disputes the independence of the photograph from the photographer.

Muslim Girls play basketball in Blackburn, north of England. This picture was taken as part of an experiment with photographic culture
Photograph: Della Batchelor, UK. (the student was given just one day to take this image)