Paradigm

A paradigm is a collection of assumptions and theories fundamental to a field of knowledge. It was introduced by the philosopher Thomas Kuhn who applied used the scientific method as an example for a paradigm (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020). In photography, according to Bate (2009), we can identify five main paradigms: · Pictorialism (1870s–1910s). · Avant-garde / Modernist [Formalism] (1920–1930s). · New Realism / Humanist Photography (1945–1960s). · Minimalism, Conceptualism / late Modernism (1960–1979). · Postmodernism / Neoconceptualism. Each of these periods within photography represented what was believed to be the modern and best approach in the field, replacing the previous narratives. Bibliography: · Bate, D. (2009) Photography The Key Concepts. Oxford: Berg. · Encyclopaedia Britannica (2020) Thomas S. Kuhn American philosopher and historian. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-S-Kuhn (Accessed: 05 October 2020).