I have now had feedback from Moira Lovell my tutor on my proposals for the programme of study for the Advanced course. Broadly Moira is happy with my chosen genre of Portraits in Series with my I am an Ironman project being the centrepiece of my portfolio of work. The principle objectives of the Advanced module are pretty open ended. Briefly they are as follows:
- Design an extended programme of personal study in discussion with your tutor
- Produce a strong portfolio of photography in your chosen genre
- Carry out appropriate research
- Read extensively in your genre
- Complete an extended written assignment (5,000 words).
- A critical review on the subject of ‘Portraits in Series’
- A candid portrait series of London’s Market Traders
- A candid portrait series of ‘Museum’ portraits
- ‘I am an Ironman’ series
- Self portraiture series (to be defined)
I have one more idea that I am pursuing and I guess it is possible that others will emerge and that is to complete a series of portraits of ‘street’ artists in Bristol. My nephew is an artist and he and his colleagues are often commissioned to complete mural art works in public spaces and commercial locations. They also hold ‘live’ painting events. I have suggested to him that I would like to make a series of portraits of him and his colleagues and he is very happy with this idea. Pinning him down may however be tricky so until I have been to one of their events and made some contacts I will keep on open mind on this one. Essentially the series is a typology of ‘street’ artists and the portraits will seek to show the subjects alongside their art. I am visiting him and two of his colleagues on Monday…they are completing murals on the walls of a barbershop….hoping for some interesting portraits, murals and great light!
As regards the self portrait series, I am musing over a number of ideas. I am fascinated by the idea of self portraiture and whether it is possible to produce a self portrait which is not posed. On the face of it this seems unlikely as I would be both the photographer and subject and would know exactly when the shutter is to be pressed – it is hard to catch oneself unawares. One of the ideas I am working on is whether I could use long exposures (possibly with a pinhole camera) as a means of introducing candour. It is hard to pose continuously for a couple of minutes. Another idea is to complete the work as an extension of the I am an Ironman series by making portraits of myself immediately after I have finished different workouts. At these times I would be distracted, exhausted, maybe elated or demoralised not to mention sweaty, tired and muddy! We shall see.
I have already started on the I am an Ironman and Museum series and will continue to progress these alongside undertaking the critical review, which I plan to start now. It is possible that my review will lead me down other avenues….
I was in London yesterday concentrating on the Museum work….here is one of my better photographs.
British Museum, London
photo-graph 
cblearninglog
February 24, 2012
You sound so organised Keith and the ‘street artists’ series idea sounds really interesting.
Keith Greenough
February 24, 2012
Yes the street artist project could be good but it is a little early to tell. My first step is to get to know some of the artists…and then if they are amenable to keep going back to try to capture some portraits which would be good enough to include in my course assessment…fingers crossed
Michael
February 24, 2012
HI, to get over the issue of “…and would know exactly when the shutter is to be pressed…” when capturing your self portraits you could use a repeating time release cable. If you go to amazon and search for ‘Timer Remote Control Shutter Release’ you may be able to find one for your camera. I understand it won’t help you with the framing and ‘decisive-moment’ etc 🙂 but it might add the pseudo-random aspect your after.
Keith Greenough
February 24, 2012
Thanks for the idea Michael….might give it a go. The real challenge here is to try to come up with self portraits which don’t just present the image of me that I want everyone to see….not easy to do!! Not even sure if it is possible.
carolinejcollins
February 24, 2012
Also, looking forward to seeing the street artists work, do you know when this might be?
Keith Greenough
February 24, 2012
Not sure on timeframes. The first step is to visit with some of them and to get to know them a bit. I will be going along to one of their projects next monday but I don’t expect to come back with a final set of images. I will need to cultivate the relationships and I will also need about 8 to 10 subjects in all for a series to be meaningful. Fingers crossed.
Yiannitsa Cegarra
February 29, 2012
Good Luck! The “Street Artists” series does sound very interesting and would love to see what you make of it, I’m already a fan of your “I am an Ironman” series as I had never heard of it before until I started following your blog. Hope everything goes well.
Keith Greenough
February 29, 2012
Thanks Yiannitsa….good luck with your studies too!!