Last Saturday was another great day for me and the Streetlighters. I pulled myself out of bed after a late night at the pub, dressed in some nice clothing to be presentable to the general public. The Caravan Gallery travels the country taking pictures of people and cities as they are.
The Streetlighter's work was the first to be exhibited in the caravan not belonging to Jan or her partner. The set up was simple, with our names and a quotation penciled in beside the pictures. My quotation was 'I've never seen that before, but I see it in a completely new way'. A classic Lyndaism.
I was on a real high all day, giving ukulele performances to the delight of Isaac (and not so much delight to one of the course leaders). Total strangers and friends of the Streetlighters all visited and made comments on the work, sometimes leaving comments in the comments book. I had a really encouraging comment from a professional artist that I should keep exploring some of the themes my work touched upon, that the perspectives of the photographs completely transformed the space you are looking at. The light reflecting off street signs was another theme she thought I could follow. She hoped I would keep going, investing my dole money in disposables.
I never thought I would get a reaction like that, I was very flattered. The most commented on of my pictures was the reflection of trees in the puddle on Frensham Road. I toyed with the idea of doing a project just devoted to reflections on water. An idea for the future, perhaps.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Last Streetlight
The excitement leading up to the exhibit at the Food Festival has distracted me from the duty that is keeping up the streetlight blog. The last few sessions have really been focusing down on what we want people to see. I'll admit today's Streetlight was tough. We took our pictures down to Southsea Common to make our final selection for this Friday's exhibit. Daniel put me through my paces teaching me the differences between detail shots and abstractions. I had to dismantle my great 'shape' construction, because there was no meaning to it, and did not interest him visually (he can be a hard task master).
I gave over to advise, and trusted that the course leaders knew what they were talking about in the hope I will pick up a bit of that 'skill' of knowing what to look for in photographs. I odn't know if I ended up with something I was proud of, but I did learn something.
Finally we returned to Friendship House and chatted about the end of the course and what we might do next. It is sad to come to the end of the eight weeks, and I feel I've come a long way in not only my understanding of photography (of which I knew nothing) but of myself (which I migiht have known something about). I feel a lot better about myself for having created something and having that creation displayed, even if it is not outstanding at the moment. My first tentitive steps into a new chapter of my life.
I gave over to advise, and trusted that the course leaders knew what they were talking about in the hope I will pick up a bit of that 'skill' of knowing what to look for in photographs. I odn't know if I ended up with something I was proud of, but I did learn something.
Finally we returned to Friendship House and chatted about the end of the course and what we might do next. It is sad to come to the end of the eight weeks, and I feel I've come a long way in not only my understanding of photography (of which I knew nothing) but of myself (which I migiht have known something about). I feel a lot better about myself for having created something and having that creation displayed, even if it is not outstanding at the moment. My first tentitive steps into a new chapter of my life.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
The Philosphy of a Camera
Tonight's Streetlight turned out to be very reflective and inspirational. We've been taking these pictures for a few weeks now, and I admit to not being sold on my own outcomes, to envying the work of others.
Steve and Jan, our light in this darkness, encouraged us to take our pictures from last week, and start to put together a theme. To explain why we were taking the pictures we were taking. I will admit to finding an explanation hard, with the undeniable urge to retake all my pictures and make them about something.
The cruelest thing Steve and Jan asked us to do, was to take away all of the pictures apart from three. These pictures had to represent 'our work', work that we would be proud of and have confidence in. Again I found this tough, wanting to curse Steve and Jan, but by the end of the evening I appreciated the point of the exercise.
After picking three photographs we had to write about our theme, why we had taken these pictures. The introduction of the written word the mass of random photos on the indisctint theme of journey's strange thoughts on the philosophy of what I'd been doing, perhaps even insight into the psychological/subconscious influences on my choice of theme.
Steve and Jan, our light in this darkness, encouraged us to take our pictures from last week, and start to put together a theme. To explain why we were taking the pictures we were taking. I will admit to finding an explanation hard, with the undeniable urge to retake all my pictures and make them about something.
The cruelest thing Steve and Jan asked us to do, was to take away all of the pictures apart from three. These pictures had to represent 'our work', work that we would be proud of and have confidence in. Again I found this tough, wanting to curse Steve and Jan, but by the end of the evening I appreciated the point of the exercise.
After picking three photographs we had to write about our theme, why we had taken these pictures. The introduction of the written word the mass of random photos on the indisctint theme of journey's strange thoughts on the philosophy of what I'd been doing, perhaps even insight into the psychological/subconscious influences on my choice of theme.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Southsea Castle from the Sea - Joiner
Southsea Castle from the Sea - Joiner
Originally uploaded by DanielONeill
This was my awesome first creation.
Empty
Empty is the gallery,
paintings and strange forms,
photographs speechless in the darkness,
my stomach tied in a knot.
Paintings and strange forms,
I am distracted by a sound,
my stomach tied in a knot,
breathing tense and short.
I am distracted by a sound,
there is a distant laughing,
breathing tense and short,
shadow moves across the window.
There is a distant laughing,
photographs speechless in the darkness,
shadow moves across the window,
empty is the gallery.
paintings and strange forms,
photographs speechless in the darkness,
my stomach tied in a knot.
Paintings and strange forms,
I am distracted by a sound,
my stomach tied in a knot,
breathing tense and short.
I am distracted by a sound,
there is a distant laughing,
breathing tense and short,
shadow moves across the window.
There is a distant laughing,
photographs speechless in the darkness,
shadow moves across the window,
empty is the gallery.
Turning the Camera on Yourself
This week's experience of Streetlight Photography was characterised by the random climbing of monuments and sea front furniture. A strange practice but all in aid of providing us with interesting pictures of ourselves for the future catalogue of our work that will be published with the exhibition. Nerve racking stuff that it is only a few weeks away. Over enthusiastic climbing lead to an incident with bird droppings and black jeans I would care to forget.
Lydia made an interesting point, that photographer's rarely take pictures of themselves, as she shyly tried to back away from my photographic advances (no innuendo there).
Returning to base camp, we shared the pictures from last week, and attempted to place them into a series. This time it was my pictures and which turned out very random and spontaneous. My bike journey was all that we really could pull out of the mixture of pictures of Gunwhalf and the Museum. Other sets included a great photo series on the journey to Streetlight and some one's house party (only one person wasn't drunk) and Lydia produced some excellently well composed photographs which were the envy of the group.
The evening ended a little abruptly with the 'experts' running out of things to talk about towards the end. When asked about what I might pursue next in order to produce the sort after photographic series, I would say I drew a blank. I never realised how little I knew about Portsmouth, or even about photography. There is a lot more to it that just pointing a camera, and I am hoping that I will be up to speed by next week, when we all receive our final cameras.
Fingers crossed!!!
Lydia made an interesting point, that photographer's rarely take pictures of themselves, as she shyly tried to back away from my photographic advances (no innuendo there).
Returning to base camp, we shared the pictures from last week, and attempted to place them into a series. This time it was my pictures and which turned out very random and spontaneous. My bike journey was all that we really could pull out of the mixture of pictures of Gunwhalf and the Museum. Other sets included a great photo series on the journey to Streetlight and some one's house party (only one person wasn't drunk) and Lydia produced some excellently well composed photographs which were the envy of the group.
The evening ended a little abruptly with the 'experts' running out of things to talk about towards the end. When asked about what I might pursue next in order to produce the sort after photographic series, I would say I drew a blank. I never realised how little I knew about Portsmouth, or even about photography. There is a lot more to it that just pointing a camera, and I am hoping that I will be up to speed by next week, when we all receive our final cameras.
Fingers crossed!!!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Addicted to Silence.
I have returned from my night wondering with a bag of chips. A reward for finally completing my homework. I love cycling in the dark by the sea front, almost silent, apart form the french men drinking beer. I took pictures of the moonlight on the sea and the street lamps. Light became the most obvious theme to trace against the black sea and the candy floss lights.
I had a go at taking a picture of my shadow, but then. like a fool I realised the flash would get in the way. I balanced along, trying not to fall off. Photography and cycling are perhaps not ideal bed fellows. I will have to wait and see for the 'development' next week.
I didn't really want to leave the silence and the calm breathing of the sea. I felt whole being creative in the darkness. Tomorrow I will get to see the fruit of my labours from the week before and the first cycling trip. I haven't really brought together a main theme, but I don't think I have been loosening my creative belt enough. I will have to go out and just feel my way until consistency arises or chaos takes all.
I had a go at taking a picture of my shadow, but then. like a fool I realised the flash would get in the way. I balanced along, trying not to fall off. Photography and cycling are perhaps not ideal bed fellows. I will have to wait and see for the 'development' next week.
I didn't really want to leave the silence and the calm breathing of the sea. I felt whole being creative in the darkness. Tomorrow I will get to see the fruit of my labours from the week before and the first cycling trip. I haven't really brought together a main theme, but I don't think I have been loosening my creative belt enough. I will have to go out and just feel my way until consistency arises or chaos takes all.
The Reflection.
I am giving you a life
only I can see you
through the mechanism of my eyes
now they will see you
through the mechanism of the lense
the reflection will grant you
a print on to paper
where you will rest
until the mold sets in.
Only Moment
You can not make it happen,
I discover, disheartened.
I am cycling,
it is hot,
people are out.
I am afraid to touch their faces with my glare
fully permeant and unyielding,
impersonal,
yet so personal.
Your face I would hold on to,
no name,
only place,
only moment.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Photo Shoot Two: The Exhibit
It has been a while since Tuesday. I've bee dragging my heels on this update. A few days ago I attended the Photography course at Friendship House, and found to my surprise that we were to be engaged in learning how to put together an exhibition.
After going through the fruits of labour from a week's photography homework, we were partnered off and each given a 'expert' to guide us through the process of chopping and creating our own exhibit from photographs we had taken over the course of the week.
This process proved harder than at first appeared, the challenge being to think of a unifying theme that connected at least some of the best photographs and then finding away of effectively communicating this to the potential audience. It was good to have a challenge to be able to work with someone in the field of photography exhibit writing field, our 'expert' Daniel.
After at least an hour the three groups had three exhibitions to present, PO1, a short but engaging photo series on the uninspired and decaying Fratton area, 'Somewhere along the line' a photo montage on the theme of journeys, and lastly 'A Random View of Portsmouth', which can only be described as a fabulous free reign of creativity with photos spilling out onto the floor and celling as well as poetry. I have to add it was great to see some of my own photos from the first weeks walk being used in totally a unique and original way by someone else in the 'A Random View of Portsmouth'.
The creator of 'A Random View of Portsmouth commented that their creativity steamed from the present moment, that they had to complete and create before they were distracted by thought. She commented her work was crazy, but to everyone examining her work, it was anything but talented.
To finished the evening the group visited Artspace to see the venue we will be displaying our eventual final exhibition. There was only time for a quick cup of tea and an exchange of numbers before we part ways and headed off into the night.
After going through the fruits of labour from a week's photography homework, we were partnered off and each given a 'expert' to guide us through the process of chopping and creating our own exhibit from photographs we had taken over the course of the week.
This process proved harder than at first appeared, the challenge being to think of a unifying theme that connected at least some of the best photographs and then finding away of effectively communicating this to the potential audience. It was good to have a challenge to be able to work with someone in the field of photography exhibit writing field, our 'expert' Daniel.
After at least an hour the three groups had three exhibitions to present, PO1, a short but engaging photo series on the uninspired and decaying Fratton area, 'Somewhere along the line' a photo montage on the theme of journeys, and lastly 'A Random View of Portsmouth', which can only be described as a fabulous free reign of creativity with photos spilling out onto the floor and celling as well as poetry. I have to add it was great to see some of my own photos from the first weeks walk being used in totally a unique and original way by someone else in the 'A Random View of Portsmouth'.
The creator of 'A Random View of Portsmouth commented that their creativity steamed from the present moment, that they had to complete and create before they were distracted by thought. She commented her work was crazy, but to everyone examining her work, it was anything but talented.
To finished the evening the group visited Artspace to see the venue we will be displaying our eventual final exhibition. There was only time for a quick cup of tea and an exchange of numbers before we part ways and headed off into the night.
Photography; My short trip from Elm Grove to Somerstown
I left the house with high hopes. Camera in bag and bike under foot, I zoomed up to the Internet cafe to do my printing (neither word nor the printer works on my computer).
I stopped for a while, trying to figure out what I would do as a photography project. I decided to chase around Portsmouth taking pictures from a cyclists point of view. The idea was to start off from Elm Grove and then taken pictures of places like the museum, Gunwhalf, and more deprive areas like Landport and Sommerstown, all whilst paying particular attention to the transportation and facilities for cycling.
The museum was inspired by something someone in the archives and museums that working class people could be intimidated by middle class institutions such as museums and archives.
When I got to the museum I took pictures of the old record office and the sign 'This is your Museum and it is Free' out the front of the museum. Its a great entrance. At Gunwhalf I tried hard to get the huge expensive tower block in the same shot as the council housing, but not sure I quite managed it. I only had a throw away camera in any case. I cycled down to the Guildhall and took pictures of a group of young people with disabilities playing instruments, surrounded by multicoloured banners. I felt some local pride at this.
I did my shop at Tesco's and then finished up the film with some pictures of the shop itself. It was once voted the worst building in the country, I think, as it really looks like a car park, not a shop. I ran out of film as I was coming up to Sommer's town. Instead of focusing on the obvious poverty, I decide to try and find positive aspects of the area. That will have to wait until I get a new camera and more time.
I stopped for a while, trying to figure out what I would do as a photography project. I decided to chase around Portsmouth taking pictures from a cyclists point of view. The idea was to start off from Elm Grove and then taken pictures of places like the museum, Gunwhalf, and more deprive areas like Landport and Sommerstown, all whilst paying particular attention to the transportation and facilities for cycling.
The museum was inspired by something someone in the archives and museums that working class people could be intimidated by middle class institutions such as museums and archives.
When I got to the museum I took pictures of the old record office and the sign 'This is your Museum and it is Free' out the front of the museum. Its a great entrance. At Gunwhalf I tried hard to get the huge expensive tower block in the same shot as the council housing, but not sure I quite managed it. I only had a throw away camera in any case. I cycled down to the Guildhall and took pictures of a group of young people with disabilities playing instruments, surrounded by multicoloured banners. I felt some local pride at this.
I did my shop at Tesco's and then finished up the film with some pictures of the shop itself. It was once voted the worst building in the country, I think, as it really looks like a car park, not a shop. I ran out of film as I was coming up to Sommer's town. Instead of focusing on the obvious poverty, I decide to try and find positive aspects of the area. That will have to wait until I get a new camera and more time.
Photo Shoot.
Last night I went to a photography course for young unemployed people. A spokesperson explain about the Prince's Trust, however I was a little late to catch the first part of the talk. It was important to know that the trust offers loans for community engagement. Steve one of the organisers suggested that if we kept together as a group of young people, we could go on and perhaps ask them for funding for some of our own projects, as long as they were of benefit to the community.
After the talk, we took the cameras and went wondering to the sea front to try and capture the common and front in the dying light. The importance of perspective when taking pictures. No two people can take the same photo. We would all shoot the same thing differently. It was a perfect evening for wondering and trying to find a way of photographing familiar sights that made them look new and different, with sensitivity to the environment. Not as easy as it sounds.
My best effort might have been the downward shot of the arrow flower bed leading up to the fountains by Southsea Castle. I cannot remember the pictures taken by others in detail, but when we gathered around the computer there were some impressive contributions by young people very new to photography.
I might add we had good guidance from the organisers. At the end we were sent away with our own camera to create our own photographic story of an aspect of our lives. I haven't decided what I want to do just yet.
After the talk, we took the cameras and went wondering to the sea front to try and capture the common and front in the dying light. The importance of perspective when taking pictures. No two people can take the same photo. We would all shoot the same thing differently. It was a perfect evening for wondering and trying to find a way of photographing familiar sights that made them look new and different, with sensitivity to the environment. Not as easy as it sounds.
My best effort might have been the downward shot of the arrow flower bed leading up to the fountains by Southsea Castle. I cannot remember the pictures taken by others in detail, but when we gathered around the computer there were some impressive contributions by young people very new to photography.
I might add we had good guidance from the organisers. At the end we were sent away with our own camera to create our own photographic story of an aspect of our lives. I haven't decided what I want to do just yet.
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