Ok, so you're probably looking at this image above and thinking what the...?!
I've been out with my camera shooting my surroundings for the past 4 weeks after signing up to an online documentary photography class through Click in Moms (a US based photography website).
The class called The Full Frame: Life on Scene has hands down reminded me why I love photography so much.
Photographer Lauren Mitchell who ran the class has really taught me to open my eyes to what's around me. She's encouraged me to take notice, to get out there with my camera and shoot for myself - to not get so caught up with Instagram.
What I love about Lauren's own images and what drew me to take the class is that they are honest and real. One of my favourite pictures is of her young daughter eating McDonalds with a picture of Neil Armstrong above. Lauren is based in Florida near to the Kennedy Space Center and the Center plays a big part in her body of work.
The class had a few rules. You must shoot at F8 and above for the four weeks of the class, you must use a wide lens and you must share your camera settings with the class. Lauren also suggested not sharing our work for the class on Instagram until after we finished.
Each week we were urged to go out shooting and submit our homework by the Sunday night. Our assignments ranged from shooting the mundane and everyday, to thinking like a tourist and looking at our hometown through fresh eyes.
High Path Estate, South Wimbledon - proposed for demolition - Canon 5d Mark III, 35mm, F8, 1/1250
Public tour of the All England Tennis Club, Wimbledon - Canon 5 d Mark III, 35mm, F13, 1/1250
South Wimbledon Industrial Estate - Fuji X100, 23mm, F11, 1/250
Caravan on an Industrial estate, South Wimbledon - Fuji X100, 23mm, F11, 1/1250
Pylon at Colliers Wood, Canon 5d Mark III, 35mm, F10, 1/1600
We were encouraged to think of long term projects and delve deeper into the work of photographers like Luigi Ghirri, William Eggleston, Alex Webb and Rebecca Norris Webb. The most important take home from the class was to fill the frame, adding layers - everything in the shot must matter.
This is honestly one of the best online courses I have taken. It’s probably the most money I have spent on an online class ($200) but to have one-on-one critique was invaluable for going forward.
Most of all I learnt to switch off from Instagram a little bit and just get out shooting for the fun of it. It was a great reminder why I fell in love with photography in the first place.
I see the pictures in this blog post as a springboard to a bigger project about where I live. It's a world away from the surroundings I grew up with and our home is an area that continues to fascinate me.
Royal Wedding Street Party - Fuji X100, 23mm, F8, 1/210
Royal Wedding Street Party, Fuji X100, 23mm, F8, 1/1900
Royal Wedding Street Party, Fuji X100, 23mm, F8, 1/200