SHARED MEMORIES

The beautiful portraits and text entitled ‘Shared Memories’ show members of the Westgate Foundation Social Club, who participated in the Cork City Libraries’ reminiscence workshop series, delivered by facilitators Carmel Creaner and Anne Kiely. In the workshops, archival imagery and song were introduced to stimulate conversation around memories. Artist Artem Trofimenko was then invited to photograph each participant using one of Hermann’s Sinar medium format monorail cameras. As Artem set up and exposed the shots, the subjects selected a particular memory that they wanted to share, speaking about it with the artists Anne and Carmel whilst being photographed.

It was great to have a space to learn and talk about photography. Every week, the photographic books and journals we were introduced to expanded our insight, both technically as well as into styles of photography. I learned a lot about composition, use of light, photography as art...and of course the technical stu about the 35mm, medium and large format cameras. It was such a great opportunity to get to use these precious cameras.

Eleanor,

The positives included two knowledgeable and enthusiastic facilitators and pro-active workshops using various cameras. The practical sessions re-awakened my interest in film photography and I learned much about composing and creating imaginative images. Better still, as a result of attending the course I found that I was applying what I’d learned when I subsequently went out with my camera (which was very often).

See pages 24 to view the photo esssay outcome of the workshop.

It takes a while to set up shots with this particular camera which needs a large sturdy tripod to hold its weight. First, the subject poses and the lighting is measured to calculate the exposure time. The photographer uses a blackout sheet over the camera and tucks his head under to view and focus the image while looking through a ground glass viewfinder. He then inserts a film holder, holding the negative film, and, with the shutter still shut, needs to remove the cover. The film is then exposed through the lens as the shutter opens and closes. The cover is then put back on the film holder. The film is then ready for processing in the dark room to reveal the image.

Hermann photographed subjects in this way many times providing opportunity to listen to many stories. Many of his portrait images reflect something of this slow camera process in which there is time for the photographer to connect and develop a rapport with the subject. This series “Shared Memories” images share something not just of strong and beautiful subjects but also the slow camera process and the relationship to between the members of the Westgate Foundation Social Club and the photographer and artists who lead the project.

-Jess Marbe

“It was appropriate that the Hermann Marbe analogue cameras were used and the analogue prints made paying homage and respect to the lives of the participants. Beauty in older age is captured as the participants relayed their stories.”

-Carmel Creaner

The Westgate Foundation is a charitable organisation, based in Ballincollig, Co.Cork, providing an integrated range of community-based services and support for older people living in the community. Their mission is to support older people to grow old with strength, joy and confidence. For further information on the work of Westgate, please visit www.westgatefoundation.ie