Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQ’s offer a concise overview of SEETHINK Lab’s key concepts, research focus, and foundational frameworks. This section clarifies central terms and recurring themes across our research.
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The SEETHINK Lab is a research initiative founded by Patricia von Ah, dedicated to the investigation of what we see, and once we see it, how it influences us. Research into singular moments within the evolution of the photographic image and the influence of experience for future seers and thinkers.
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The Zero Baseline of Photography establishes a collection of first photographs for engagement and collaborative cyclical research. The aim is to preserve, provide and distribute curated photographic evidence of the origins and development of scientific and artistic photography as a source of information, education, and inspiration to promote critical thinking and a deeper appreciation of photography for generations of today and tomorrow.
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It’s a photograph that references a singular moment within the evolution of scientific and artistic photography. It reflects a pivotal technical and artistic innovation within the development of photography and influences the way we understand photography today. The following parameters have been established to identify first photographs:
Verified as authentic photograph, based on truth, not falsified
Using photographic techniques
Produced within a scientific or artistic context
Unique example of its kind or a known technical first
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The SEETHINK Research Method (STRM) is an innovative framework developed by SEETHINK Lab to connect the processes of Seeing and Thinking through photographic observation and analysis. Rooted in the Four Theoretical Pillars—Phenomenology, Time, Transparency, and Transcendence—STRM combines theoretical insight with practical application.
By exploring cognitive and emotional responses to first photographs, STRM guides users in analyzing and engaging with visual imagery on a deeper level. Whether utilized in digital platforms, interactive workshops, or academic studies, it offers a transformative approach to understanding how visual perception shapes cognition.
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The SEETHINK Educational Framework (STEF) is the foundation of SEETHINK Lab’s public-facing educational work. It offers a progressive and modular approach to photography—blending historical awareness, theoretical insight, practical exploration, and ecological responsibility.
Structured around five interconnected blocks, formats range from single events to full teaching modules and are adaptable for diverse audiences including schools, universities, cultural institutions, and independent learners.
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Yes. SEETHINK Lab offers a range of workshops and lectures designed to explore photography as both a practice and a way of Seeing and Thinking. Sessions can be hosted independently or in collaboration with schools, cultural institutions, or other partners.
Whether you’re interested in sustainable darkroom techniques, visual perception theory, cameraless processes, or archival practices, the Lab welcomes enquiries and co-develops sessions that respond to context, curiosity, and creative ambition.
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Is a research study that explores the influence of taking one minute to look at a single photograph. What can be learned by allowing ourselves time to see and think? If we see an image for the first time, it makes an impression, but what happens when we look at it again and again? Does the experience change when we take more time to observe?
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This is a novel concept introduced by the lab, involving the use of a comfortable fabric or piece of clothing designed to reduce ambient influences of sound and light. You wear the fabric around your head like a small tent thus improving the ability to concentrate on what is directly in front of you.