So it’s nearly Christmas 2018, when did that happen?! Here’s a quick post with a few of learnings and highlights on the Magnum & BJP Workshops earlier this year.
July-Personal Projects
Fiona Rogers: Collaborate with those around you, “Do you collaborate with writers?” “No” “Do you have writer Friends?” “Yes”.
Nicola Shipley: On grant writing, “It’s how you phrase it.”. You have to make it clear why you’re asking for every penny. Who are you engaging with it? How will it work?
November-NGOs, Social Practice & Advocacy
Sim Chi Yin: Dying to Breathe &
When photographing people (particularly those in difficult circumstances) the bottom line is “Do no harm.”.
Richard Burton: Madagasar’s pre-trail detention issue &
- Consider sharing your copyright with the organisation you’re working with. Especially if it has found the subjects, done the initial research etc. – in these circumstances it’s often the courteous thing to do.
Anthony Luvera:
- Beautiful images (or objects) to buy, “Who are they serving?”
- “Who is being empowered? How does it help the participants? What does the photographer gain?”
I’ve learnt there’s no definitive path or set of specific rules to creating ethically considered projects, each one has their own considerations. Each artist, producer, or photographer has their own unique approach and style too, which is important to be true to. There’s also no set way to make a living, it seems many photographers branch out into workshops and teaching, with grant writing becoming increasingly important-particularly with long term projects.
When creating long term projects on an issues close to your heart it’s important to give distance and time to think, to be aware. How are your pictures effecting people? Who is your audience? These are questions I’ve thought about, well touched on before, but after these two sessions I feel much more aware of the questions and debates around the pictures I’m making, the people involved in my work and topics/issues I’m covering. I’m very glad I took part in the sessions and have definitely grown as a result. Bring on 2019 ,where I’ll be finishing my Settling work with an exhibition at the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery from May-September next year.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sam
