Throughout the textured history of the photographic practice photographs themselves have stereotypically stood as evidence for an object’s literal existence within reality, with them essentially acting as a representational fragment of time encapsulated within a frame, however, in this digital age are they to be trusted? While facets of manipulation in one form or another have been conventionally present within the practice since its inception, through staging within the pre-shutter phase to a vast array of post-processing techniques - digital manipulation and the outright designing of photographic imagery within purely digital environments completely devoid of the mediums primary tool, the camera obscura, are somewhat silently but firmly taking hold of the commercial industry and beyond with reality subverting believability.

 

Over the course of this multi-faceted and multi-themed ongoing investigation, Patrick intends to focus upon the transition from indexical imagery to that based entirely within the fabricated pixel, specifically what this shift means to how the photograph is to be observed within its current flexible state and beyond. David Hockney once stated that ‘Computer manipulation means that it’s no longer possible to believe that a photograph represents a specific object in a specific place at a specific time - to believe that it is objective and true’’. Through McFaul's own continuing practice of digital manipulation and creation, this quote to extensively represent not only the contemporary state of the medium but a state that has been ongoing and that has evolved relatively silently over the past several decades, ultimately changing what a photograph is now worth and what it represents. By paying reference to traditional photographic theory such as that posited by the likes of Henri Cartier-Bresson and his now perhaps dated notion of the ‘Decisive Moment’ alongside Jean Baudrillard's ever relevant ‘Simulacra and Simulation’, in tandem with the current state of imagery like that found within the commercial sector of the format Patrick believes that there is a poignant discussion to be had. Essentially reflecting on the past to analyze the present to subsequently posit the medium's relationship with such imagery within the future. 

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The series featured within this subheading are apart of this investigation each tackling semi-connected themes that share the use of contemporary technology for their shared existence. For information on upcoming developments and exhibitions please check the site's blog (Coming Soon).