Post Modernity

Post modernity (approx. 1940-2001+) comes from the idea that we have moved past the earlier ideas of modern era. It signifies an end to both religious and non-religious meta-narratives.
This is reflected in the world of art, and particularly photography. 'Post modern art' expresses a concern with 'representation and an ironic self-awareness' (Kirby, 2006).

In the early days of photography , the belief of western civilisation was still influenced by the church. things such as nature was captured very much in the style of oil paintings of that time, showing foreground,middle and background in an attempt to capture a feeling of depth and greater power. This belief, is a link from nature to the almighty power, is an example of a meta-narrative. A set of guidelines that society generally accepts and adheres to. The examples below show how early landscape photography was very receptive to the notion that there is a higher power, this is done using scale.
Especially in example too, the figure in the centre of the image is set against the vast expanse of yellow stone lake to show how just how small the human race is. Also, the mixture of misty mountains and poor print quality give the image a somewhat heavenly feel. 

O’Sullivan (1868)
   

Jackson (1871)

   

Post-modern landscape photography tends to look back and assess earlier work and look at it in a different way or perhaps reshoot an identical frame highlighting changes in the scene. Post-moderninity brought an end to the idea that nature is heavenly with photographers shifting an attention to what the hunan race has done to the planet through pollution and global warming. The more shocking the better. 

Digital cameras then revolutionised landscape photography again with high performing devices, allowing superior perfromance with colours and in low light giving the photographer more opportunities to create alternative perspectives on the landscape. 

Drone photography is a new form of post-modern photography with a completely different take on the landscape and how we perceive it, making use of natural and man-made shapes on planet earth. This type of photography, like the modern era of photography, uses scale to give a feeling of awe but it feels totally different, with more of a focus on patterns and colours. Post-Modernity use of scale to create a sense of awe is a much more exhilarating, 21st century take on landscape.

Ramos (2016)

   

Gabriel (2016)    

Gabriel, M (2016). How To Use Drones To Shoot Stunning Aerial Photographs. Available at https://contrastly.com/how-to-use-drones-to-shoot-stunning-aerial-photographs
(accessed 4^th October 2017)

Jackson, H (1871). Yellowstone’s Photo Collection. Available at: https://www.nps.gov/features/yell/slidefile/history/jacksonphotos/page-1.htm
(accessed 10^th October 2017)
Kirby, A (2006).  Philosophy Now: a magazine of ideas. Available at:
https://philosophynow.org/issues/58/The_Death_of_Postmodernism_And_Beyond
(accessed 9^th October 2017)
O’Sullivan, T (1868). American west in pictures, 1860s – 1870s. Available at: https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/american-west-in-pictures/
(accessed 10^th October 2017)
Ramos, J (2016).  7 Tips for Capturing More Powerful Fine Art Landscape Photography. Available at: https://petapixel.com/2016/09/27/7-tips-capturing-powerful-fine-art-landscape-photography/
(accessed 10^th October 2017)