Phil Tugwell Photography Critical Research Journal
Falmouth Flexible Master of Arts Photography Course 2021-2023
About me
I'm Phil Tugwell I'm 56, and live in Buckley in North Wales in the UK (although I'm originally from Warrington!) I'll be studying the MA in Photography from September 2021. I am back to studying after a gap of 22 years after completing an M.Sc in Manufacturing systems engineering at UMIST.
I run a photography business specialising in Event, Corporate and PR, Fashion and Music photography covering North Wales and North West England. I'm an internationally published photographer and Licentiate member of the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), I have had the privilege to work across a vast array of subject matter across the globe, delivering “real life” images and memories to both corporate and individual clients.
Outside of the business I enjoy photographing people and have a documentary style of photography and enjoy photographing people, trains, traction engines, live music and big cats especially tigers!
I am also Managing Director of a Management Consultancy specialising in Operational Excellence, Asset and Change Management. I have worked in the field of Operations consultancy for the last 20 years following a career in Operations Management. I have worked in over 34 countries with some of the worlds largest organisations.
Away from consulting and photography I am a keen runner and am a parkrun Run Director and national parkrun ambassador and a UK Athletics endurance official and Road Race referee.
About The MA in Photography
With a global reputation for teaching excellence in photography, Falmouth University’s Institute of Photography offers a unique opportunity to take your creative skills to the next level while enjoying the freedom and flexibility to study online with a diverse international cohort of like-minded practitioners. The MA Photography course aims to develop innovative, collaborative and accountable professional photographers, with an ability to sustain their practices within the context of economic, political and ecological global change. The course comprises five modules, totalling 180 credits. The course is studied over two years on a part-time basis.
Module and Aims:
PHO710: Positions and Practice
This module enables you to locate your practice within the broad contexts of professional contemporary photography. You will consider the importance of research as a basis for academic and industry contexts and critically reflect on core themes in contemporary visual culture. You will explore ideas, test assumptions and develop your own critical perspectives about photographic practice.
PHO720: Informing Contexts
The module aims to increase your understanding of critical contexts relating to visual culture and practices, allowing you to develop an informed and sophisticated contemporary photographic practice.
PHO730: Sustainable Strategies
The module aims to expand your awareness of, and your ability to develop, effective strategies for the production, dissemination and consumption of your practice that are innovative, creative and sustainable.
PHO740: Collaboration and Professional Locations
The module enables you to collaborate on creative projects and operate professionally within the creative industries. It aims to identify appropriate audiences and potential markets for the consumption of your practice.
PHO750: Final Major Project
The module will enable you to realise a substantial research project that is located within defined critical and professional photography contexts.
As part of this course I will be keeping a Critical Research Journal in the form of a (hopefully) weekly blog which will document my journey and progression across the two years of my MA. The course began on 20th September 2021.
This blog has been created as part of an accredited education programme – MA Photography with Falmouth University.
PH0710 Positions & Practices
Phil Tugwell Photography is a trading company of Wire Consulting Operational Excellence & Asset Management Ltd