11.4.21

I have now completed my reflections and will post my assignment to my Tutor and on the OCA site.

4.4.21

I’ve now finished my personal project and just have to post it on my blog and do my reflections before I can hand it in.

1.4.21 OCA Student Led hangout

I was able to share my first draft with the group. I have written this up in my learning log but here is an extract:

I asked the group:

• Should I give more context, perhaps in the title?  but was told to keep the ambiguity.
• Whether they could see my voice and what they thought my message was?

Some did realise that I was taking a tongue in cheek position and that the visuals are opposed to the text. The fact that one peer asked me where I sat in the whole thing told me it wasn’t clear enough. Some thought the message was about spreading corona virus, holiday homes. So I realised that my message wasn’t clear, nor was my voice. No one had realised that I had put the subjective Facebook comments on a grey background and facts on white background.

We discussed what I wanted to convey and how I could adjust to achieve this and to ensure the visuals come through. There were suggestions to:

• Reduce the text
• Separate the text in some places from the visuals
• Put the facebook comments on ticker tape under the images
• Present some facts without visuals on a text only page.
• Afterwards I thought more about how to make it clear what my position is:

I need to really think about where I am in the story.

Let my voice speak in the visuals.

Make sure the work is really tongue in cheek.

24.3.21 How to be a creative learner. OCA: Tutor led session. Andrea Norrington

My reflections:

Not anything new for mr this time as I attended Andrea’s sessions last year, however it’s always good to remind myself of ideas for good practice. My takeaway was to photograph regularly especially as I come up to the end of this course and may have a summer break before starting level 3.

18.3.21 OCA Student led- Documentary hangout

Much general discussion and sharing of resources, events, talks and books. 

We also spent time discussing the pros of printing from lightroom and various paper that people prefer.

4.3.21 OCA Student led- Documentary hangout

We spent a long time discussing printing. The useful aprt of this for me was that I will soon be changing my PC and getting a monitor. I made some useful notes on suggestions for good photographic monitors and have since researched. Currrently I have noted I should get a Eizo 24” at just over £500 recommended by Bob our resident group technical guru, though others are happy with their BenQ monitors.

Judy Bach joined us for the first time, she is close to the end of level 3.

I discussed my plans for my assignment 5 presentation, and asked the group if they thought I could use just 4 images appearing 4 to 5 times with varying text to show layers of truth. I can to the conclusion that I will need to use 4-5 images maybe for times to cover my themes which will give the required 15 images for the brief.

27.2.21 Keeping Up Momentum Student Stories – OCA study event

Keeping up Momentum is a student-led initiative designed to connect, inspire and motivate OCA students. This session features three students stories to inspire and motivate.

Reflections on the session

Tips on assessment:

• Explain about what you’ve done, overcome difficulties, thought processes, the complete journey – your work doesn’t stand alone.
• Show cross discipline work.
• Difference between the pace and depth between level 2 and 3: Need to put the work in to get creative sparks, so commit to photographing.

On Problems with momentum:

• Doesn’t hurt to take a break at times
• Value of the OCA to their practice
• Use lots of lines of enquiry to inspire work
• Study whatever interests you
• Use your personal experience in your work and ties this into your academic questioning

25.2.21 Feedback session Tutor assignment 4 critical review and assignment 5 proposal

My tutor queried several points about my critical review. She was positive about my choice of topic, my understanding and my research which has  allowed me to contextualise and make perceptive theses; however she points out that the breadth of my research and writing has prevented me from closely analysing my sources. She also pointed out that though my photographs are relevant I haven’t evaluated their potential to make changes. I can see now as she says that my “critical engagement and analysis are hinted at rather than exemplified”.

My action plan for a reworking of the critical review:

1. Reduce the breadth of my writing by “control and editing of sources”, this will enable me to:

• Give more in depth analysis
• Articulate my critical engagement, to describe how my sources support my view and have developed my argument and thesis
• Describe how my research has led me to my end thesis – How I get to my ideas.

2. Provide more in-depth image analysis. The activists that I describe in my sources are visual activists so I need to articulate how they provoke a response through the lens, the response they provoke, as the audience is not passive.

21.2.21 OCA Climateric study event

This was a sharing and discussion with Jane Weinmann about her final year body of work for level 3 “Climacteric: A personal journey through the menopause.”, which has good examples of creating efficiencies in your work.

My Take aways:

• It was useful to hear the process that Jane went through form not having a clear topic to her body of work to the final exhibition; especially as at the memonet  have no ideas myself for level 3.
• It was good to hear that through experimentation and research you can narrow down ideas and come to a worable and interesting focus.
• I liked her Tutors suggestion that you should write an artist statement, what you want to do with it and why at the beginning/part way through and refer to it throughout to keep you focused. Maybe I should do this on my assignment 5 to help me keep my work/research relevant. Ask yourself: Is what I’m doing adding or distracting from my work?
• It was good to hear her advice to find a group with good intent and ask for feedback throughout. I have 2 good OCA groups for this and should make sure I keep contributing to them, Documentary/level 3 hangout group and Thames Valley OCA group.
• Derek Trillo shared that Simon Norfolk suggests that for a successful body of work you need to draw viewers in, keep them there for a while (possibly with humour), hold their attention and then they might linger and take something away with themselves. I need to remember not to make my work too dry.

18.2.21 OCA Student led – Documentary hangout

Many of our documentary group are now working on level 3. Much of our discussion this session was around level 3 work. This does give me some insight into level 3 which is approaching for me later this year.

We also gave peer feedback to Jonathan on his Documentary assignment 3.

11.2.21 Discovering Images using Visual Arts Data Service (OCA Webinar)

This session was run by the University for Creative Arts. I’d not heard of the VADs resource before and I now know how to access it. VADS is managed by the Library at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA).This is a useful source to remember, especially if I want detailed information.

4.2.21 OCA Student led documentary hangout

Many of our documentary group are now working on level 3. Much of our discussion this session was around level 3 work. This does give me some insight into level 3 which is approaching for me later this year.

We also gave peer feedback to Jonathan on his Documentary assignment 3

9.2.21

I’ve now finished my critical review and am penning my proposal for my personal project for assignment 5.

Looking closely at the brief I realise now that I should have shared ideas for my theme with my tutor before now. However I have been working on and researching my theme for a year now and have only recently been considering photographic approaches to it. As I’m not really going to be giving my tutor a list of potential themes, I hope my tutor will be happy to me more on my choice of the realisation of a visual form for it.

8.1.21

My tutor was positive about my proposal for the critical review, and pointed out a more effective way of framing my question/title . This is timely as I have now finished te coursework and can start on the essay.

29.12.20

I have now submitted my proposal for my critical review review to my tutor and while I wait for a response I’m working through the course work and beginning to research for my essay.

21.12.20

I’ve got my feeback on assignment 3 which I was especially pleased with as this assignment has developed over what seems a long period of domestic/family turmoil for me and its good to know that I haven’t completely lost the plot! I will act on some of my tutor’s suggestions and consider making another personal project on small specific spots in the car park.

14.12.20

Today I submitted my assignment 3 to my tutor and am pleased with the outcome and await feedback!

28.10.20

I have been finishing the coursework intensely the past couple of weeks, between funeral planning and beginning probate work, and grief.

Today I’ve had an e mail from OCA telling me that my tutor will need to be replaced; this sent me into a spin as I’ve not heard from the course director who I ws advised to write to to explain my circumstances and request some breathing space. I hope to have a dialogue with student support today. My intention is to press on now to meet my end of this course deadline, but with all I’ve been through the past few months and now probate, selling and clearing my mother’s house and facing a final house move from Hampshire to Pembrokeshire in December myself, I think if I don’t have a lifeline of some extra time I may self combust!

I would like to continue from part 3 and assignment 3 in a manner in which I can enjoy what I’m doing.

I am now going to post my coursework, research and forum involvement for part 3 as I edit my assignment 3 ready for posting.

20.10.20

Back at last. Its been a very difficult few months. Subsequent to submitting my assignment  moved house to Wales and my Husband has also been in and out of hospital. Just when I thought things were settling down my Mother (in England) was taken ill, so I rushed back and was there for a few weeks; she subsequently died.

I am now back in Pembrokeshire and hope to get going again. I did contact the OCA to see whether I could take time out if needed but have not had a response. I would rather try to get back on track so I’ll try to carry on and catch up. Throughout this period I have been working on assignment 3, joining in with forums and study days and sharing work and ideas. I have attended many virtual events, it is just that its been rather stop/start and that my coursework came to a halt towards the end.

Onwards and upwards!

10.8.20

I submitted my assignment on 6^th July and I’ve had my feedback (24^th July) which is useful and incisive. In the last month I’ve moved house and studying and photography has had to stop, but I hoping to be able to start again this week.

2.7.20

Finished all coursework and assignment 2, just have to post it now.

25.6.20

Stop doing zoom seminars and finish part 2 course work! Then post and submit.

23.6.20

AOP Breakfast Club – The impact of Covid on work

I am not so different to these photographers; the Covid situation stopped my creativity and productivity for a while, it has made me reflect on the importance and meaning of photography going forward.

20.6.20

TVG OCA virtual meeting: Gave me more thoughts on how to move forward with assignment2:

• On the scars we discussed how they could represent the healing that occurs after a scar and that possibly the curviest scar could be representative of the line on a graph of recovery.
• It was suggested that I could use scars on the landscape rather than the body, this was the position that I started from and moved away from – perhaps I should give this some consideration again.
• We talked about ways of layering and then blending in blend mode the location shots and the scar.
• One suggested that I use the images of scars to punctuate the work presented in a book; I explained that I would choose to present in this way as a book but the brief requires a blog post.
• I was also asked about the term “economic scarring”, I am aware it is a new term though not a new phenomenon but must make sure that I include some context for it in my work.

Following the discussions, I am going to continue with 8 images but experiment punctuating them with smaller images of scars either body scars or physical ones on the landscape) possibly these in black and white. Whatever I produce I will explain on my blog that I would present this as a book and possibly simulate it or present it as a slideshow to show case this.

I have a way forward!                                

18.6.20

Documentary fact and fiction hangout 18.6.20

There were 5 of us at this meeting. We talked again about assessment and learning objectives. I was able to share my developing work for assignment 2.

I sent 8 images of my work to the shared google drive for discussion:

• It was thought the strongest image is Hollywood bowl.
• In my rejects the Aqua drome picture was thought to be strong, and the barriers lack of people and cars are enough to show that it is closed.
• I was reminded that for digital assessment not all of the work is presented so I could if I liked just present I image, in fact it was suggested that I decide now on my top 3 images.
• As for the scarring, we discussed how might incorporate it, as I talked about it but haven’t done it, by overlaying scars on the images?
• Yes, it might be interesting to see how these images compare to new ones taken when these premises have opened again, if they do.

Overall, it has made me think about being very brutal on editing the images and to test out how things look if I incorporate scars into the set. I am still concerned as to whether the work will tick the conceptual box in the brief, but I know that I want to present some of these images in some way.

I also need to look at the new OCA learning portal

18.6.20 via zoom AOP Breakfast Club 3. Zoom Webinar Fine Art Photography. Carol Allen-Storey (AOP) in conversation with guests with Julia-Fullerton Batten, Othello De’ Souza-Hartley, Lottie Davis•            

• Stay simple in your approach
• Use what’s around you
• Let unexpected events like Covid release new creative journeys

17.6.20 Tutor led hangout session – I must:

• Keep taking risks, keep trusting your intuition and choices,
• Remember to exercise my creative muscle
• Take photographs that are like looking with conscious heightened attention.

8.6.20: Today I began shooting assignment 2

4.6.20 Documentary hangout

We discussed the emphasis on Learning objectives with the new digital assessment and I should keep an eye on these

16.5.20 – Anna Fox Photographer

I learnt a lot about the possibilities for “FRICTION” the fusion of fiction and documentary photography.

Other important takeaways:

• Keep project proposals fluid, so that you can change it as it develops and then evaluate to justify your changes.
• Remember that even for experienced photographers it can take a long time to get an effective shot.
• Don’t forget to fully articulate your research.
• Intention and integrity in your work is important
• Ensure your work gives people something to speak about.

16.5.20

Photographers gallery Slow Looking Mohamed Bourouissa

• A reminder to look carefully and at details
• A reminder to be creative about how to show exhibit your work and possibilities to do it in relevant local ways
• Interesting following the artist talk with Anna Fox and our discussions on whether its appropriate to stage images – in these cases it was integral to the concepts
• Can photographs by connecting to your own habits
• Your own locality can be a useful starting point and you can do something useful

13.5.20 OCA Tutor led hangout – Andrea Norrington : How to research

• Use the OCA librarian as a resource
• Note to self to make a personal index of research done on photographers across all courses
• Checkout Evernote for storing you tube links?
• Be curious – don’t let the course work stifle my curiosity; so don’t feel guilty about taking time now to access all the virtual material available even if its slows me down

7.5.20

Assignment posted at last, and moving on!

3.5.20

During student led hangout Clive White (An OCA Tutor)  said that it’s important to do work that’s meaningful for you, finding your bliss and follow it – I think that’s what I’m struggling with at the moment!

30.3.20

In the OCA briefing 24.3.20 there was an acceptance that learning activities are now more difficult to achieve and that we interpret and undertake activities within these guidelines, to take the opportunity to be creative, and find new ways of achieving the same learning aims. I have as it suggests certainly been using the forums provide a space to share ideas and get inspiration from others – I should though make contact with my Tutor soon.

I have been experimenting with using my PC as a camera to the outside world and in particular have been capturing images of the zoom meetings that I have had with various communities this past week. It’s a shame that my Boat club doesn’t fall into this category and I am now prevented from travelling to that location where I might have shot traces of the committee to continue my earlier work.  I have also considered shooting what I can see through my entrance gate but there is very little footfall and I am also conscious that the public might not take kindly to being “snapped as they walk by”, I haven’t killed this one completely though.

I have at least found my photographic mojo now that have settled into social distancing and being confined to the house with my Husband and two children who are working from home (The house move has frozen in the middle of the transaction and I’m resigned to this position for now) – I guess I’m reconciled to the general situation around me and now have more “mind space” to continue with my photographic work.

I’m going to post this journal and my aborted work on assignment 1 on my blog, then contact my Tutor. After this I will continue working on and posting my work and research for part 1 whilst cracking on with a new pathway for assignment 1.

27.3.20

I have been experimenting with capturing the communities that I engage with via Zoom although at this time I don’t have a clear way forward with assignment 1. There was an OCA email on 24.3.20 stating that there will be guidance forthcoming on extensions and deferrals and yet to date no further news. I am beginning to find more time now to give to my degree and will try to regain some the time that I’ve lost, after all it’s not that I’ve not been engaging with the OCA (I have even had quite a dialogue with my Landscape course Tutor who has asked me to contribute my work and some quotes to something she is going to share with students), I’m just not currently making raid progress on assignment 1 – it will come.

23.3.20

As of tonight we are now in a full lockdown, so my photographic opportunities are now more limited and the way forward will require thinking outside of the box.

21.3.20

I remain deadlocked assignment wise but my brain is working overtime about how to move forward. I spent 4 hours today in a virtual Thames Valley OCA meeting where we were joined by Tutor Jayne Taylor, see my post:

I shared that I had been working on a community project for assignment 1 which halted a couple of weeks ago because of Covid 19 as I no longer have access to the people and that I have ben dithering  whether to stop, move on and return to the work later or start afresh. Some of my peers suggested moving on and then returning to the project, whilst others advised me to start again and get it done. We talked about new ways in the current circumstances that I could capture community engagement (Traces of people, disruption in the community, changes in the community, and barriers to engaging with the community).

I would like to complete assignment I now as I already have ideas for other assignments and as things are moving at such a fast pace I don’t want to go backwards later. I’m going to start experimenting with some assignment 1 ideas, but continue at the same time with the coursework and playing with ideas for other assignments – how this pans out will also depend on whether we enter a “lockdown” situation, to what extent and for how long. I think flexibility is the key.

It would be useful to some guidance from the OCA on extensions and deferrals due to Covid19 – I don’t want to do either really I’d like to crack on but  have to admit the situation has starved me of time to do think and create and my family have to come forsta t the moment.

19.3.20

It seems that I’ve been absent for a while; a lot has happened in a month. I have been plodding on with part 1 coursework but have lacked focus. I began planning assignment 1 about a month ago. This process is documented in my learning log. Unfortunately it all came to a halt about 2 weeks ago when I realised the track I was going down would be truncated by the social distancing fast approaching caused by the Corona virus. It’s been a difficult month in any case with an imminent house move and challenges in our business all exacerbated with the challenges presented by the growing threat of Corona virus.

I have been thinking how I might move forward with assignment 1 now my photographing of my project is halted, to return to it later or start again and if I start again on what basis as the situation seems to be changing daily.

I did participate in a level 1 and 2 Zoom (18.3.20) talk facilitated by Andrea Norrington and this inspired me to move on in some way see my post:

6.2.20

Introductory video call with Tutor

It was good to meet my tutor via google hangout and to be able to introduce ourselves. It was useful to explain that I live and therefore photograph between two locations and how I think this impacts on my photography. I was able to ask a number of questions:

• Is there a book list? I had missed that there is one I the handbook at the end of the references.
• Are there any particular books that you would recommend? My tutor pointed me towards the general photography course text books such as those written by Liz Wells.
• Do you want prints sent for each assignment? Only assignment 1 as specified in the brief.
• Do you have any preferences for blog layout or journals? Whatever works for me will be fine.
• I asked if he has any particular feelings about black and white versus colour photography and he agreed with my view that it should be whatever fits the purpose and subject matter best.

We talked a little about the first assignment particularly that it is about a community so think about what I have access to. Consider that “less is more” and try to cover a small topic in depth. We also discussed the benefits of working on the assignment and coursework simultaneously.

This has all spurred me to get started with both the course and the first assignment.