The view from the seat of my bike - balancing objectivity and analysis on two wheels

When I began recently to consider the analysis of the photographs in my project I began to see that certain discourses were not as easily recognisable simply from the photographs taken. In particular the core/periphery discourse is a very important one but not one easy to see from ground level shots.  To access the areas where the photographs were taken I was required  to cycle or walk to the area. This provided me a good idea of distance, landscape and access issues that driving would not have accomplished. Even through cycling I could not judge the real scope of marginality as roads have improved immensely since the 1600s (in the case of Redcastle) and therefore what I could reach on my bike would have been much more difficult on foot on rutted or non-existent paths.So, in this instance, I really feel that aerial photography would present a clearer idea of this discourse.

Further, not once on my photographic excursions did I encounter another person at the sites. This did much to challenge my objectivity as this solitude brought about feelings of loneliness and even sadness at the neglect of these once inhabited homes. It would be possible to imagine the previous inhabitants felt the same loneliness and depression though that would be a dangerous assumption as I can only view these homes through my own experiences and prejudices and ultimately have no idea of how busy and engaged with the local estate and community they were. So, my own ideas of what makes a community have filtered through into my work and when analysing I need to be aware of such pitfalls.

Finally, I feel the subject matter lends itself to broodiness and a certain romantic and gothic notion that simply is not representative of what these homes would have been like during the time of habitation. From my own perspective as an American I am drawn to 'ancient' things perhaps from my own experience of growing up in a rather newer country and culture. The romantic notion of these houses appeals yet I must remind myself that these tumble down homes and castles were once busy and perhaps thriving communities. I wonder if my prejudices have affected how I have photographed the houses? Have I given a proper and unbiased account of the homes or have I focused on the areas that feed my sub-conscious desire to show ancientness?

This is my struggle at present.