Work Based Learning .... FotoNow Lecture .... Exhibitions

I attended the FotoNow lecture and found it an interesting and enlightening hour. Jon and Matt talked about thier experiences taking the Camera Obscura out into the Community. I like the idea of being in touch with people who may not necessarily visit Galleries. As they said Photography is accessible to all, it is a popular culture and an easy creative tool to share art with as many people as possible. They stressed the importance of socially engaging with the public and reaching a wider audience, of taking the gallery out to the people. The Audience is our reason to be pro active; if we are not seeking an audience then why are we creating. Art is lost if it is not shown to others.

As part of my Work Based Leaning Assignment I am photographing the Allotment over a twelve month period, with the intention of Exhibiting my work. I want to take this work out into the Community. There are facitilites at the Allotment site where I hope to be able to share my work with the people whose plots I am photographing. I am also  intending to approach the Council and make requests to Exhibit my work in the Civic Centre, or in other appropriate venues. Listening to Matt and Jon today made me more determined to do this. They inspired me and made me realise that this is the way forward. I am inclined to be shy of sharing my work with others but I know that if I want to be a known and respected photographer, I have to overcome my fears and my lack of confidence.

This afternoon I worked in the Dark Room. Emma has organised an exhbition event on Saturday in conjunction with Art Birthday and I needed to print my image. I am looking at this as an ideal opportunity to take my art into the public arena(!) and my first step in the right direction. The event is being held on the 14th January. When I spoke to Emma today, she was going to speak to the organiser to finalise details. I will find out more tomorrow.

I have missed several photo opportunities today because I did not carry my camera with me. I am not happy with myself as there was so much going on and I could have had so many to choose from. Another lesson learned. It has been a very busy week trying to organise my time to complete the assignment for Friday's deadline and doing everything else. I am exhausted!



An early night, but I am still surrounded by books!