Project Update / Session idea

Hello again, welcome to another blog from the inner workings of NathanPhoto, as this is the third one of the month and in following my new formula, this musing is going to explore some ideas I have for teaching sessions as well as a little update on the long-term photo project I’m undertaking.

As a recap I’m sharing these teaching insights by way of advertising my skills in teaching, what I can bring to the table as well as the usual experience, technical and thought based activities. I love teaching, l would like to do more of it so if you have anything then please do get in touch.

Leading on from the last post where I laid out my making of a ‘bad’ picture session, and following the principles of balance I now would like to address what makes an image ‘good’. Will just add in here that photography is a funny medium to teach, many of the people that sit down in a classroom have many reasons for taking the time to learn about photography. Most people have a really good grasp of what they believe constitutes a good picture, do they have such definite ideas within other environments?

I realise that this could be said about many disciplines but where I feel it is unlike say, painting and drawing for example, is that we are more familiar with the still photographic image as we view far many more /photographic images than we do paintings and drawings, even though the way the majority review the paintings and drawings is through the photograph, something to mull over?

I do think that the past concepts of what makes a great image are based in confusing aesthetics with the need for prior knowledge absolutely required and the fact that some are wrapped up in traditional patriarchal ideas. I realise that having the confidence to say that you like an image and explain why needs a strength that you may not have just yet, but I will start with asking:

“What makes a picture good?”

This usually elicits a muted response as we don’t have enough courage in our convictions just yet to establish confidently, what makes a picture good. And because if you knew that completely now at this stage then possibly you wouldn’t need to be here?

As a help/guide/activity, I run though a few examples, some selected by me, some by others and some that could fall into other categories apart from good. I will make notes of what the group believes is good, what is not and where we sit, then we (as a group) start making inroads into the discovery of what is it that we view as good and even more importantly why. Here is a couple of question/insights/mumbles into that process:

·      They say a picture says a thousand words, can we come up with a thousand words for this image…(this is a long task that needs backing wholeheartedly.)

·      What price experts? Can we challenge these experts, where were they coming from, where are we coming from? (great way to establish stuff)

·      We are often told that the ‘great white hunter’ approach of TAKE(ING) pictures is good? But is it? Are we sure?

·      The established knowledge of photography in what makes good is influenced by a classic application of the ‘traditional’ aesthetics (usually male dominated) which is standard in histories of photographies. What’s your take?

These are just a few ideas of the way the sessions can go, there are infinitely more depending on the group and depending on what my role is, what level it is and what my outcomes are measured in. Speaking of outcomes one that comes to mind in my overarching pedagogy is my reason in doing this, using this session as an example you could say that in fact, my sole task is to give the student knowledge and convictions to state confidently and convincingly what they know to be good?

That’s good as that is exactly what this session attempts to signpost.

And reflect.

Long term project update.

I said I would also update about the long-term project which is called:

‘Tasle Alley’

This month in continuing with the ‘aren’t things contradictory’ theme, can I say that projects fit firmly into that category thing, you think you haven’t made much progress and you have (or you haven’t) but then something clicks and away you go down another direction. I thought that progress has been a little slow this month, but I have created a few images, here they are:

Couple of thoughts from these 

·      Think it has reached a bit of a crossroads about what it wants to be as a project, I think imposing the 12 images maybe a good constraint, but I think choosing one from each month may lead to a split with two allied ones, possibly under the titles ‘abstract’ and ‘documentary.’

·      Yes, I can hear all my previous crits with but where are the people? In answer to this I do have some plans to include portraits but don’t see the gain in stopping random people just yet. I have some ideas to set up to make some portraits in the space but will wait on feedback (and funds) to give you further insights.

·      In these I’ve been looking outwards from the space making pictures from the alley towards the outside and also looking at non-traditional angels that show the space in differing angles, while unsure about them I think they may provide some interest and lead to further exploration to see if they work.

There we go. What we thinking? Any good?

Thank you for reading. And if you have any feedback, thoughts, comments or anything’s, then please get me though the usual channels.