Introduction
A group of young photographers, who are based at the Refugee Council in Brixton, have been developing their photographic skills through a series of workshops and trips in and around London. The workshops involve practical camera tuition, group discussion, editing and captioning and site visits. The trips provide rich stimulus for photo-taking and are an opportunity for those involved to encounter new places and situations. The images produced capture an array of unexpected, poignant and occasionally absurd moments and relationships.
Project aims
As part of Zoom In’s Community Education Programme this project aims to equip the young people with transferable skills, to offer them new and enriching experiences, to allow them to create a body of work and to express and share their ideas more widely, to lead on to work placements and to unlock aspirations through contact with arts professionals.
The trips
The photographers explored ways of building a narrative through a series of images and studied examples of different genres of photography such as Street Photography and Documentary Photography. During trips to various locations the photographers were encouraged to apply their visual awareness to each location and to practise alternative ways of seeing. After each trip the photographers edited their photographs into photobooks. This crucial process allowed them to understand what they had learned and to develop their judgement in relation to the specific brief.
Ghost stories
The brief of the first trip was to tell the story of someone who isn’t quite there…a ghost story. The group visited Sissinghurst Castle and Garden in Kent, where they explored the outbuildings and grounds. They were encouraged to look from new viewpoints, to shift their focus, to play with movement and to use props in order to create dreamlike and ethereal images that expose clues and evoke a sense of a character who is now no longer present. Sissinghurst Castle and Garden was the home of write Vita Sackville-West – poet, novelist and gardener.
Street Photography
In preparation for the second trip the group were shown examples of Street Photography in which various elements create unusal relationships within the frame. During the trip to London’s Southbank, from Borough Market to Waterloo Bridge, the photographers found many opportunities to practise observing what was happening around them, keeping a keen eye out for diverse subjects with which to make humorous and poignant visual links.
Documentary Photography
On the visit to Old Plaw Hatch Farm the participants sought to tell the story of the farm and all of it’s activities. Emphasis was placed on capturing a sequence of images that convey this through a mix of general landscapes and details. Old Plaw Hatch Farm is an organic farm in West Sussex that is owned by the community.
About Zoom In Photography
Zoom In Photography is a voluntary organisation based in South London. Our Community Education Programme runs projects for adults and young people using photography as a tool to explore ideas and relevant issues. We make sure our activities address a need, are accessible, and that they reach a wider audience through public exhibitions. Zoom In is open to working with a variety of local community groups and welcomes proposals.
Zoom In provides photographic facilities and resources for individuals and community groups through short courses in camera (film and digital) and darkroom skills, as well as offering volunteer and work placement opportunities.
For more information visit www.zoom-in.org
Acknowledgements
With special thanks to the participants: lead project photography tutor, Liane Harris; Sound recordist and editor Marcus Duran; and Tom the farmer and everyone at Old Plaw Hatch Farm.
The Photome Trips have been kindly supported by the Sir Walter St John Education Charity and the Local Network Fund and have been organised by Zoom In Photography.
