PRISMA Issue 1

Raisin: The annual Raisin weekend brought eventful days to St Andrews! Academic families completed early morning beach games and scavenger hunts, before dressing up for the famous foam fight.

SaintsSports: It has been an eventful semester for our sports clubs, with over 430 fixtures played Saints Sport teams faced a range of universities in competitions all across the UK, and successfully won many new titles.

PerformingArts: St Andrews offered a rich programme of student arts during this Semester More than 30 concerts, plays, and musicals gave performers and crews opportunities to showcase their incredible talent and hard work.

St Andrews Day: Scotland's national day was celebrated on the 30th of November. The town of St Andrews marked the occasion with Scottish music, fireworks on West Sands and Ceilidh dancing on South Street

Graduations: Winter graduations were held in Younger Hall for the first time since 2019. Thousands of graduates received their hard-earned diplomas and completed the famous procession into St Salvator's Quad

Christmas Ball: The Polar Expressthemed Mermaids Christmas Ball was held in Kinkell Byre on the 27th of November. Featuring live music and free crêpes, the event provided a great night before the start of exams

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:GayleMcIntyre

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk

AN INTRODUCTION TO PRISMA

EditorialEditor:Alexandra Godfrey

LOUISE ANDERBJÖRK

Dear reader, Welcome to the first ever issue of PRISMA Photography Magazine! As founder and editor-in-chief, I am incredibly happy to have reached this day, where several months of planning have finally come together in a finished product to share with you I thought I would take the opportunity in this article to expand on how PRISMA came to be, but before I do that, I would like to highlight the astounding work of my editorial team this semester and extend a massive thank you to all of them! I am honoured to work with such talented people and am very proud to present an introduction to all of their individual portfolios through the seven articles in this issue

From Equestrian Hobbyist to PRISMA: The idea of starting a photojournalistic magazine naturally emerged from my big passion for photography, which I first discovered as a young equestrian. At the age of 12, I began to capture local competitions, both in dressage and showjumping, and after a few years I started working part-time for Stockholm Equestrian Federation as a publicist and photographer This gave me a first taste of sport and event photography, and culminated in the opportunity to cover Stockholm International Horse Show in 2018 as my first major sporting event. Simultaneously, I also developed a growing passion for nature and macro photography, and loved bringing my camera whenever I travelled to new places. Still, it was not until my first year at university that I explored journalism, and began to see photography as a potential professional career after my degree, rather than just a hobby By joining Lightbox and student newspapers, I was introduced to event photography on a new level. One of the most unforgettable events that I have been fortunate enough to cover at university was the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2022, which was a major influence on the emergence of PRISMA Being offered such an incredible opportunity through photojournalism inspired me to work with photography even more, and gave me the idea of developing a magazine dedicated to just that. Nevertheless, I undoubtedly still see the most important moment for me as a photographer to be when I first discovered the niche of theatre photography during a St Andrews production of Eurydice in March 2022 Having never stepped foot in a theatre setting before, and even less so with a camera, Eurydice turned out to be my lucky attempt at something new that completely changed the role of photography in my life, and opened up doors I did not even know existed.

Following that first try at theatre photography, there is nothing I spend more time with, or would rather be doing, than covering shows and being involved in their production at the same time. Theatre took me to the Edinburgh Fringe 2022, where I got to work with some amazing shows as a photographer, and, absolutely loving that experience, I returned to St Andrews to work with 9 shows and cover over 30 events in one semester I have so much to thank all the wonderful people I get to work with everyday as a photographer, for allowing me to have the most amazing times whilst doing what I love the most I could not be happier to now find myself spending the majority of my free time in photography, especially with PRISMA growing as an exciting project ahead, to learn and develop further from. My primary aim with PRISMA is to build a platform where photographers of all experience levels can meet and display their work in our monthly issues, and where diverse opportunities to grow as an aspiring hobbyist or professional photographer can be shared through our photo stories and editorial articles. I hope that PRISMA will be a way to share my passion with all of you and to help as many as possible find their niche in the amazing world of photography!

Photo:CharlotteDavies

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk

EXPLORING NORTHERN FRANCE

Mont-Saint-Michel is a well-known island in Northern France which is full of historic significance and architectural interests. After the bishop of Avranches claimed to observe a vision of archangel St Michael, the island quickly became a pilgrimage site for Catholics Years later it required fortification for protection against the turmoil of the Hundred Years’ War after the Kingdom of England continuously led assaults on the land. The village which now stands in place of said sanctuary is known for its Gothic architecture and few, original, Romanesque period pieces. In WWII, the island was occupied by German soldiers who utilized its high position for lookout Large quantities of German tourists resulted over that period, though the Allies were quick to re-enter following the D-Day invasion. Today it stands as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by stunning sandbanks which extend for kilometers. Occasionally these banks will flood due to fast-rising tides, making accessibility via the newly built footbridge difficult for both tourists and island employees This abbey is often considered one of France's most beautiful sites, standing in stark contrast to the relaxed sea and flat sandbanks surrounding it. Though the village lost some architectural marvels due to a fire set during a siege, it was swiftly granted reconstruction. The additions made following were focused on a more Gothic style. Today, Mont-Saint-Michel remains highly touristy, and some religious devotees continue to pilgrimage alongside routes which were once medieval trails leading towards the island

ALEXANDRA GODFREY

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

Photo:AlexandraGodfrey

Photo:AlexandraGodfrey

ChapelleSaintÉtienne

Photo: Alexandra Godfrey

EQUESTRIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

For the last four years, I’ve been the Championship Ring photographer at the Scope National Equestrian Festival, in Cheshire, England. Every year we have 6 days of intense competition, with thousands of horses and riders from across the UK battling it out for the prestigious titles available As a photographer, I am in the prime position to capture these athletes at the top of their sport. Seeing my photos go up on their social media always comes as a much-needed boost after a 10-hour shift carrying a 3kg camera, sometimes in the pouring rain! Aside from being at the mercy of the elements, there’s nothing not to love about sports Emotions run so high, and I get to witness the sheer elation of victory on people’s faces The Junior sections are particularly tense as these Championships are young athletes’ best shots a getting headhunted for international competitions, in turn a step closer to future Olympic dreams. The prospect of your work going up on an Olympian's living room wall, or even just their social media, is a ridiculously exciting one! Alongside competitions, I also do a bit of equine portraiture My favourite shots are the ones that happen accidentally, because there is no way to force any of their movements or facial expressions – they always capture the most honest reflection of both the people and horses! In terms of how I got into this job, started by simply attending and practicing at loca competitions, until I was recruited to work for my current agency So, if you’re at all interested in sport photography, my best advice is to turn up and do it Refine your skills and push for recognition!

CHARLOTTE DAVIES

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

Photo:CharlotteDavies

Photo:CharlotteDavies

Scope National Championships 2022

Photo: Charlotte Davies

A NIGHT AT EDINBURGH TATTOO

LOUISE ANDERBJÖRK

On the 12th of August 2022, I got to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as a student photojournalist, and it was one of the most surreal experiences I have ever had To begin with, I certainly thought that the Tattoo would not be able to accept a student application for a press accreditation, and so when they got back to me saying that my press pass was ready for collection, I could not believe it. The Tattoo was something that I had wanted to go to for so many years, and now all of a sudden, I had a ticket and, as it would turn out, for some of the best seats in the house too. The theme of the 2022 Tattoo was “voices'' and it included drills and music numbers from the Swiss Top Secret Drum Corps, the United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team and the Massed UK Military Bands. Going into the evening, I was not sure what to expect, and was stunned by the amazing ground level view I got from the press pit, with the drill platoons marching up to just a meter away from me as they entered and exited Edinburgh Castle. In the middle of that immersive experience, I was also invited to join the other photographers as they climbed to the roof of the bleachers for the firework finale Standing up there, feeling the wind from 30 meters above ground and looking out over a misty Edinburgh night and the hundreds of performers below, all I could do was smile and think “how did I manage to get here?”. It was a fantastic taste of the exciting variety of experiences that comes with photography, and I cannot wait to hopefully go back next year again

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

RoyalEdinburgh MilitaryTattoo

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk

CLIMBING BEN NEVIS

This September I finally climbed Ben Nevis, and was blown away by the view. I only found out that I’d been picked to join this group fundraiser the night before the trip, so I hastily found my walking boots and kit, some snacks, and set an alarm for 4 am I had just moved back to university and hadn’t even started unpacking when I got the news. Finding everything I needed was therefore absolute chaos, but to be completely honest this isn’t shocking news as nothing I do ever goes smoothly. The weather was awful when we arrived, with rain and heavy wind. We debated postponing the start time, before remembering that Scottish weather is reliably inconsistent, and it would likely be tropical in 10 minutes Sure enough, although it took hours, by the end of the day we were all s walk itself was challenging but it was wo hassle for the view. I wish I had brought my me to take these photos, but the reality is t up Ben Nevis is not an easy job, and d something I could have done on this first tr go back one day when the skies are clear camera, and take the time it deserve considering climbing Ben Nevis then recommend it! Sensible shoes are a must (a be surprised by how many people I saw in is plenty of water, and some snacks for there are plenty of resting areas. A lot regularly but don’t let their speed distract y time and admire the surroundings, it really

ELEANOR REID

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

Photo:EleanorReid

Photo:EleanorReid

Aviewfrom BenNevis

Photo: Eleanor Reid

TAKING HMS PINAFORE TO STAGE

HMS Pinafore is an operetta written by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan narrating a comic tale of love, honour and duty aboard a ship. Playing a sailor in the chorus of a St Andrews student production of this show made my first experience in an operetta truly memorable! All cast, crew, and musicians were hard at work to bring this twohour show to life, with about six weeks to put it together. Although busy, the rehearsals maintained a great atmosphere as everyone was motivated to stage the best show possible! Rehearsals took place two to three times a week and were split between learning the music and the blocking to accompany it A memorable aspect of these was the artistic director’s continuous indications for to act as ridiculous as possible, as “you can never do much”! The performance days were spent at the By The atmosphere backstage was one of excitement, w everybody cheering each other on. All th performances unfolded successfully, two of which w sold out! It was sometimes hard to stay serious on sta when listening to the humorous dialogues a performing its innovative dances Hearing the audienc laughter and enthusiasm for the show felt v rewarding after weeks of hard work. I am very gratefu have worked alongside incredibly talented cast, crew a orchestra members as part of this unique experien How often do you get the chance to play a flirtatio sailor on stage and walk around St Andrews in a sailo outfit?! If you have not been to see a show from the G society yet, feel free to come along to its production PrincessIda next semester “if you please”!

LUCILE BELORGEY

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk

1794 REGENCY BALL IN REVIEW

MAGGIE ZHU

On 11 November, the Union Debate Society hosted their 1794 regency ball, a new annual social soirée of the society in the name of their founding year. Tucked in the beautiful Hotel du Vin, the ball was the perfect way to end the busy midterm coursework weeks with music, dancing, drinks, and a sprinkle of magic Although this was their first year of hosting the event, the committee performed an amazing job in setting up the venue and providing a conformable yet immersive regency-themed ballroom environment for guests to spend their nights. Candles, fairy lights, and flowers decorated the walls and ceiling of the room, and the built-in bar is fully stocked with a variety of drinks to choose from Upon entering the room, guests received a warm welcome from DJ Rory MacLean’s fantastic tracklist. The tracks included songs for guests to waltz or slow dance to, as well as bops that made the entire ballroom spark with energy. At various points during the event, guests also took the initiative to gather everyone on the dance floor for a circle dance or a conga line Aside from the musical entertainment on the main dance floor, the ball also provides other fun activities for guests who wished to have a quieter experience. In arguably the most popular corner of the room, a tarot reader sits with a crowd of curious eyes queuing for their turn to have their fortune told. Although a rare scene at balls, the tarot reading adds a mysterious and interactive layer to the event. Overall, with its aesthetic decorations, wonderful music, creative activities, and the stunning gowns of fellow guests, the 1974 ball was guaranteed to be a night you won’t forget

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

Photo:MaggieZhu

Photo:MaggieZhu

Photo:MaggieZhu

UDS1794

RegencyBall

Photo: Maggie Zhu

BALLADS STRICTLY COME DANCING

With this year’s BBC Strictly Come Dancing having drawn to a close, cast your minds back to March 2022, when St Andrews saw a similar explosion of glitter, hairspray, and sequins On the last Sunday of On The Rocks, Strictly Come Dancing St Andrews brought together our very own student ‘celebrities’, ‘professionals’ and judges in an evening of Ballroom and Latin dancing. Hosted by the Ballroom and Latin Dance Society (BALLADS), ten couples danced everything from samba to foxtrot, in a bid to be voted your favourite couple and lift the coveted glitterball trophy! Work for the began seven weeks earlier, when dance partners m the first time After being given routines, the cele had less than two months to learn dance tech usually an entire semester’s work for the society. late evenings, spin turns, and kicks and flicks late Strictly stars were able to pull off a fabperformance for a packed audience, and guest ju We were even graced with BALLADs royalty, previous President Isabela Andrade Martin com judge and perform her jive routine By fa performance of the evening, however, was that of R Kurnik and her partner Jamie Cizej, who were no the only couple to receive a perfect score of 40, but up winning the entire night. The competition therefore rounded off with one more performan their incredible samba. BALLADS is already prep for Strictly 2023, so if you want to take part, contact the society And until then, keeeep dancing

ROSIE LEESON

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

Photo:LouiseAnderbjörk

StAndrews StrictlyCome Dancing

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk

PRISMA PHOTO COMPETITION

Going forward, in every PRISMA issue there will be a chance for you to showcase your photos with us This could be through submitting a series of photos and a short article for a featured photo story like the ones above It could also be by taking part in our monthly photo competition, where all you will have to do to enter is to send in one photo to PRISMA on social media or via email with your name and a photo caption included. The purpose of PRISMA is to showcase as broad a range of photographers as possible and we would absolutely love to hear from you if you want to submit a photo for January's photo competition or write a photo story for our upcoming issue on January 31 2023.

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk

Cover art: Louise Anderbjörk