Encounters...

Encounters:

I was working with a student today, who was on work experience in an aircraft museum. I took my camera along to record events from the day. The photographs I took were of:

• static displays of aircraft from the Edwardian era up until the late 1940s. 
• pictures of the student undertaking various tasks
• Photos of the student collaborating with museum colleagues and enthusiastic volunteers.

The 'message' conveyed in the images was all to do with a student enjoying and achieving. He then took the memory card home to select and edit photographs he likes. If possible- within the bounds of confidentiality - I shall post some examples in the next week.

Discussions

My colleague Peter gave more of the benefits of his experience as a professional photographer. I'd taken a range of portraits into school to show him: they were three CD covers and a magazine cover. The CDs showed two black and white shots of singers - Richard Hawley and Laura Nyro (of blessed memory) and another of Bruce Springsteen on his 'Magic' album. It was really illuminating to hear Peter almost forensically explain how these photographs were lit, exposed and edited. Great learning!

8.10.12

Discussions:

I had further chats with my colleague at school about photography: this time about portraits. He spoke eloquently about three-dimensional lighting, the rule of thirds and making the eye the centr-piece whenever possible. He underlined the effect that capturing small details of eye colour and markings can really make a difference.

Encounters:

Two of our students have recently declared an interest in studying photography. Our school will offer it at A-level in the near future, but these girls may prefer to explore the subject at FE college. However and wherever, such conversations open up all kinds of possibilities in staff-student communication.

Tuning in...

Reading:

On my Kindle I am reading 'Photography: A Very Short Introduction' by Steve Edwards; '25 Lessons I have Learned About Photography...Life' by Lorenzo Dominguez; 'On Being a Photographer' by Bill Jay and David Hurn. They are all, in their turn, thought-provoking reads.

Supporters:

I am in contact with, in various ways, with other photographers / artists. These are:

• Leo who buys me editions of Reuters' 'Our World Now'
• Nicole, whose blog I read
• Jean, a photographer to whom I should reply and thank her for her kind text message!
• Tracey who is an artist and a stern mentor when I am being a lazy OCA student!
• Peter an ex-wedding photographer who seriously knows his stuff...
• Colin who is an extremely gifted amateur photographer

Photo shoots:

I was out and about in Northampton today, looking for images for the final oieces of Assignment 3. As it says in the guide, 'found' situations are not easy to come or manipulate. But having the parameters in mind sure makes you look harder at many things. I find myself taking photographs of anything that looks interesting, whether or not it is connected with the project in hand.

Onmy return, I took some shots of my grandson with his aunty's Cannon SLR, using film instead of digital. We shall see hoe these come out...

Learning:

I am still in the process of geatting to know the Aperture programme on my MacBook. I finally gave in to actually reading the 'Help' guide...! And it sure does help!