2 minute read
Photography Projects
In these times dominated by the pandemic many photographers, including myself, have documented the lockdown. A documentary series can often turn into a photographic project. Most projects probably start when a photographer finds themselves drawn to a few similar subjects and realises that they have a personal interest in the images. Something drives them to adding to the sequence, continuing to build the project, sometimes for months, years or a never ending quest.
So what makes a photographic project ? How is it defined ? A project is a series or sequence of images, no set number taken over any length of time and telling a story that is personal to the photographer. The images can be of found subjects or set up scenes, anything goes. Only your passions and imagination can limit you. Photo projects often need a narrative to aid the understanding of the viewer. Adding prose to photographs goes against the grain for some conventional photographers as the old adages of ‘every picture tells a story’ and ‘photographs should speak for themselves’ can cloud their thinking when it comes to projects but there has to be a different train of thought as projects are not about the single image they are about a sequence of pictures that have to be seen together in order to make sense, to expand on the idea.
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On this page there are pictures from a project that I have been working on for a number of years. The project is called ‘Time Worn’ and illustrates how time brings about decay in many forms but that process can render the subject more interesting than the pristine original. I liken this to the human ageing process. The
freshness and beauty of youth transforming and maturing into a flawed but perhaps more interesting phase of being. ‘Time Worn’ is an ongoing project, in fact, most photo projects are ongoing ! They are a passion, an obsession perhaps, so can become an artistic addiction.
Occasionally photographers go through a period of time when they lose their mojo a little and strive for inspiration. A project sets a task, a focus, an outlet for your artistic self. In times such as these, photographic projects can offer a distraction, give you a voice, a means of expression, an artistic outlet that can be enjoyable, absorbing, entertaining or cathartic. It’s your choice. Let it be your new passion. Stay Safe.
I will be running photo workshops at The Shoreham Centre again when it is safe to do so.
Please email me for further details : steveboylephotos@gmail.com Steve Boyle is an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society Life Vice President of Brighton and Hove Camera Club and a widely exhibited photographic lecturer www.instagram.com/shoreham_steve www. facebook.com/steveboylephotographypage www.flickr.com/photos/shoreham_steve
