PHOTOGRAPHY
WORKSHOP
at the..
BLUEHOUSE
photographic darkroom and workshop
The purpose
of the project, through a 12-week programme of learning, is to allow 4
young adults, from the 16Plus service, to produce a professional exhibition
of their photography.
It is the
intention of the project to introduce the group to the working mechanics
of the camera and encourage their creativity to extend to the printing
techniques in the darkroom and so produce an exhibition that reflects
this learning to the local community.
The subject
matter shall be their choice though advice will be offered at the beginning
of the project and opportunity to study other artist’s photography
will be allowed.
On completion
the exhibition will be promoted. A venue has been identified in Whitstable
at The Horsebridge Gallery and will open April 13th to 26th. Aspects of
marketing will be taught that will inspire self-confidence and achievement.
Pride comes with presentation and on presenting this to the community
it will allow not only friends and family, but also the local community
to view their work and comment with a positive approach.
Each young
person will benefit from the experience as it serves to promote individual
learning and the importance of team work. The project will introduce the
concept of self-employment that could benefit the person after the project
or merely introduce the possibility of hobby or amateur photography.
The project
will also serve to promote the work of Rainer, Kent County Council, sponsors,
local business, the community and the arts.
Each young
person will individually offered support following completion of the project,
and encouraged to continue, being shown a direction that they could follow,
depending on the initial approach they have taken, that could include
local festivals and art venues in Kent.
SCHEDULE
Prologue (2-3 hours)
A getting to know one another session - understanding why each student
may want to partake in project and what they hope to achieve. (Review
if black and white photography via books, magazines etc)
Directions given to Bluehouse Darkroom and schedule agreed.
(week
one)
introduction to the camera
morning 9am - 10.30am
a basic SLR (single lens reflex)
students are each given a camera and taught the working techniques: how
to load a film, shutter release, setting film speed, aperture setting
- explaining what they do and why.
morning 11am - 12.30pm
lesson continues to explain different films; speeds/colour/black and white
etc.
results are shown from examples and a discussion is held to understand
how these results were reached.
a film is loaded in each camera.
taking pictures
(one film)
afternoon 1.30pm - 3.30pm
each student is allowed to take pictures.
afternoon 4.00pm - 5.00pm
group meet to discuss day and findings.
Plans are discussed and made for week threes field trip. close.
(week
two)
introduction to the darkroom - health and safety - fire / first aid
process, contact, print
morning 9am - 10.30am
processing film - students are shown how to extract film from camera and
load in to film developing equipment. Students work in pairs and films
are developed under instruction. Processed film is hung to dry.
morning 11.00am and 12.30pm
contact sheet - students are instructed on how to create a contact sheet
from the processed film, and, working in pairs, are then expected to do
the same with their own complete film.
afternoon
1.30pm - 3.30pm
The results of the morning are reviewed. Each student selects one image
they would like to enlarge from negative to 8”x10” print.
Students are taken through the process of enlarging prints and then, working
inpairs, allowed to try themselves.
afternoon
4.00pm - 5.00pm
group meet to discuss day and findings.
Arrangements are made for next weeks field trip. close.
(week
three)
Field Trip
All day.
Students have agreed to visit several galleries in London. Travelling
by train the group depart Herne Bay/Whitstable and arrive Victoria. Travelling
by Tube across London, pre-agreed galleries are visited before returning.
Students are encouraged to collect literature from each visit. Students
are asked to consider their ideas for exhibition content.
(week
four)
Theory / written proposals
morning 9.00am - 10.30am
morning 11.00am - 12.30pm
Students meet and discuss forthcoming project. Each student will be asked
to propose their ideas for exhibition content - subjects and format -
and asked to write a short presentation that outlines these ideas.
afternoon
1.30pm - 3.30pm
Discussions continue regarding promotion of exhibition. Each student is
asked to consider design for promotion and direction of marketing, morals
and ethics, purpose. Invitation lists are considered (who and why). Design
programmes on the computer are reviewed under basic instruction (limitations
considered).
afternoon
4.00pm - 5.00pm
The days results are discussed. Each student is then given two films and
a camera and reminded of the working mechanism of the camera (as per week
one) and given help in loading the first film (if needed). Session ends.
(week
five)
Taking photographs / independent tutorials
Students are required to spend this session taking photographs with supplied
camera and films. If help is sought each student can arrange independent
tutorial sessions (upto two hours per student) by contacting tutor prior.
(week
six)
process / contact print / visit venue(s) / promotion
morning 9.00am - 10.30am
morning 11.00am - 12.30pm
Working in pairs and assisting each other, students develop each of their
films before the breakand make contact prints from each film after the
break.
afternoon
1.30pm - 3.30pm
Group session. Each student discusses their project and their ideas for
presentation / exhibition, considering the parameters of venue, framing,
costs etc. The different venues are visited and ideas for space, framing
and hanging discussed.
afternoon 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Students are reminded of potential local media publicity and asked to
consider brief a press release before session close.
(week
seven)
Printing exhibition / design promotion
morning 9.00am - 10.30am
morning 11.00am - 12.30pm
Working in pairs the first pair begin printing from negatives their exhibition
prints whilst the second pair work on promotion for their exhibit. Guest
lists are now established and instruction on designs for invitations /
posters on computer using Desktop Publishing programme.
afternoon
1.30pm - 3.30pm
afternoon 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Roles are reversed and students swap.
(week
eight)
Continue: Printing exhibition / design promotion
morning 9.00am - 10.30am
morning 11.00am - 12.30pm
Working in pairs the first pair continue printing from negatives their
exhibition prints whilst the second pair continue work on promotion for
their exhibit. Invitation lists are printed and posted and posters are
taken for distribution as pre-arranged.
afternoon
1.30pm - 3.30pm
afternoon 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Roles are reversed and students swap.
(week
nine)
Continue: Printing exhibition / publicity
morning 9.00am - 10.30am
morning 11.00am - 12.30pm
Working in pairs the first pair continue printing from negatives their
exhibition prints whilst the second pair work on media publicity for their
exhibit.
afternoon
1.30pm - 3.30pm
afternoon 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Roles are reversed and students swap.
(week
ten)
Continue: Printing exhibition / framing
morning 9.00am - 10.30am
morning 11.00am - 12.30pm
Working in pairs the first pair continue printing from negatives their
exhibition prints whilst the second pair consider framing and materials
needed, ordering where necessary. Media publicity for their exhibit is
released.
afternoon
1.30pm - 3.30pm
afternoon 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Roles are reversed and students swap.
(week
eleven)
Continue: Printing exhibition / framing
morning 9.00am - 10.30am
morning 11.00am - 12.30pm
Working in pairs the first pair continue printing from negatives their
exhibition prints whilst the second pair continue framing.
afternoon
1.30pm - 3.30pm
afternoon 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Roles are reversed and students swap.
(week
twelve)
Hanging
Day session.
Exhibit is hung at venue(s)
Refreshments are ordered for opening.
OPENING
April
13th 2005
•
Breakdown
of Costs.
Use of darkroom,
equipment, chemicals, and paper, workshop and tools.
10 weeks x 8hours @ £12 per hour
Total £960.00
Purchase of
4x £30 second-hand Manual SLR
Total £120.00
12 Film.
Total £48.00
Framing materials
and glass @£100 per person (budget)
Total £400.00
Advertising
/ promotion
Invitation postcards 2000 £100.00
Posters £50 (budget)
Total £150.00
Transport (up
to 100 miles per person @.26pence per mile)
Total £104.00
Bus fare (support
in travel to programme) 4 persons
Total £80
Fee to bluehouse
for tutoring over twelve weeks —
Total £2500.00 (an approximate cost of £52 per person per
week)
Travel budget
(for trips) 4 persons
Total £160.00
Artwork Insurance
and public liability
Total £150.00
Application total £4672.00
benefits of bluehouse
creative
arts degree
professional artist
fully equiped darkroom
qualified youth worker
experienced tutor
trained mentor
local resident
photographer
Having identified a possible source of funding through Access For All
Awards, I thought it would be an advantage to list firstly the benefits
of the programme.
Introduction
to the Arts.
It is the intention of the programme to work with youth who have never
experienced this level and skill of camera technique and monochrome hand-printing.
though we appreciate that each involved member may and probably will have
taken photographs before it is likely they would never have processed
film and printed in the darkroom. It is this introduction that may inspire
creativity and encourage each person to become involved.
Education
Following on from the introduction it is the intention of the programme
to teach and educate and so develop each person not only on the fundamental
instruction of camera and darkroom techniques, but also the required understanding
of discipline required to see the project through. Skills in marketing,
promotion, self promotion and advertising will prove necessary. An understanding
of design and presentation will be vital to complete the course of study.
Consequently we hope to encourage and maybe each person would consider
the benefits of further education on completion of the programme.
Career.
Whilst most of the young people involved with 16Plus are encouraged to
seek full-time employment, or a course of college study, few are introduced
to the element of self-employment. As a professional artist this is normally
a necessary requirement and having the insight through this programme
of such potential can certainly benefit the young persons and provide
new opportunities.
Self
– esteem.
It is recognized that young people moving out of the social care system
can lack confidence. This programme promotes the ego as most artwork tends
to communicate from the artist to the audience. Having such freedom of
speech can boost confidence and the ego and so raise self-esteem leading
tp a stronger individual capable of progress.
Crime.
It is unfortunate that youth in social care and leaving social care are
often involved in local crime. Kent Police commented that a programme
such as this working long-term would help to occupy the mindset of potential
criminals or young people struggling to climb away from an earlier life
of crime.
Timetable.
It has been recognized that if this project began in January and ran for
12 weeks the young persons would have the decent weather of the Spring
Season in Kent as a subject matter and be completed by early Summer, in
time for local festival season and the application to college courses.
Bringing
Art to the Community.
A venue has been identified in Whitstable's Horsebridge Gallery for the
completed pilot project to exhibit. This will increase traffic in the
streets from the local community and potential tourism as local Press
and Information Offices will certainly raise awareness of each exhibit
and every venue. It has already been mentioned that local festivals occur
along the north Kent coast and links have already been made to encourage
the group to continue once the course is completed.
Creating
a potential revenue.
Each of the artwork exhibited could be available for sale and so earn
each of the persons an income, and a commission to the host venues.
Promotion.
This programme and the promotion it is likely to entice will certainly
promote the charity Rainer and KCC, Kent Youth Mentoring and the work
of 16Plus, along with creating awareness of the needs of young adults
leaving the social care system.
Pilot.
On success of this pilot project there is no reason further funding could
not be sought to take this programme to other regions in Kent in successive
years.
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