Happy new year! I can’t believe its now 2020, the years are flying by. Photography wise, 2020 is already looking good and I’ve been kept busy over the last few weeks working on both clients shoots and personal projects, I even managed to venture out with the camera in this dreadful weather.
Its been a while since I wrote a blog post so I will take this time to talk about my next set of project images.
So over a period of time I have been participating in my own personal project relating to Depression. The images taken represent different stages/types of depression, a possible cause and outcome. My first set of images previously blogged relates to social bullying and the possible effect this can have on a person. My next set of images will relate to Bereavement and the possible effects this could have.
I have chosen to use an older subject to undertake this set of images and topic.
Subject: Ann Crothers
I worked alongside Ann to cover three stages of this type of depression and will post the results in my next blog post.
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Well the flu and novo virus has resulted in a delay of my project. I have began capturing images for my next set, but it’s still a working progress and will be finished soon.
In the meantime I have been working on other projects and recently had the pleasure of photographing some school pictures for an old friend.
Siblings school shoot – Sophie and Harris
These two wee people had massive personalities, resulting in a fun shoot with a few silly shots to make their mum and dad smile.
Siblings school shoot – Sophie and Harris
I plan to get stuck in and capture the remaining images for the next stage related to my depression project and will post soon.
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This blog post is a follow up from the last to showcase the images taken as part of my project “DEPRESSION”.
Its been a few weeks since my last update and I promise I will make a point to update on a more regular basis. My chosen model for my first type of depression has his prelims approaching and shooting time had taken longer than first anticipated. Saying that, all shoots are done and dusted and I have my first set of images that document Depression. Each image shows a possibility of the illness. The first image is a possible cause or reason, the second image is a possible release or way out and the third image is a possible result of dealing with depression.
*Please note that each of these images are staged and the subjects being photographed have no relation to the topic being portrayed*
The Cause (social bullying)
Subject – Evan Foster
A way out (Self harming)
Subject – Evan Foster
The result
Subject – Evan Foster
Self harm is when a person intentionally damages or injures their own body. Its usually a way of coping with or expressing overwhelming emotional distress.
In the last few months I became somewhat lost, and uncertain of the right path to take. Leaving education was a big step for me and continuing to work with my camera was a prominent choice. I have a few projects in the making and I’m excited to see them come to life and share them with you.
While at college I started to organise my visions for a set of images related to a Documentary brief. Documentary was the genre I was most excited about; therefore I have chosen to continue and complete this set of images. These images will represent different stages/types of depression, the cause and possible outcome.
My first set of images relates to a young male and his depression stems from social bullying. Social bullying is done with the intent to hurt somebody, their reputation, relationships, or social standing. This type of bullying is most common among kids and can somewhat go unnoticed, causing various mental and health problems. I want to challenge myself to see if I can produce a series of images that demonstrate the effect that this may have on someone and make people aware of the severity that type of depression can have.
*Please note that each of these images are staged and the subjects being photographed have no relation to the topic being portrayed*
My first subject chosen for this set of images is this young gentleman..
Subject: Evan
I will be working with Evan over the following week and will post the results soon.
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After many weeks of meltdowns and stress I have decided to end my journey in education! This was not an easy decision and has weighed heavy on my shoulders, taking into consideration all aspects of both my personal and educational life I have made the right choice. I am a little apprehensive as to what the future holds as I go it alone and I hope you will all join me along the way!
Where it all began…
My educational journey began in August 2017 as I was enrolled in the NQ photography course taught in new college Lanarkshire’s Coatbridge campus. I walked through the doors with not much more than a few snapshots that could have been taken with an iPhone! The class consisted of people of all ages, ability and experience. I learned soo much within a short period of time and enjoyed every brief!
NQ CLASS 2017/18
I woke up every morning and looked forward to attending class and excited about what was next! I used to use my days off going out to practise the skills learned each week! I went from taking snap shots to being able to set up lights and capture still life shots that at the time I thought were no bad lol, here is one of my first still life images taken for a “drinks” brief.
NQ COLLEGE WORK
I completed the NQ course in June 2018 with everything passed and a certificate upon completion! This allowed me to progress onto the HNC level photography course taught within the Motherwell campus! This course was a big jump from NQ and along with a class full of new faces came a heavier work load! Within the first semester I noticed an improvement on my work and I have attached an image used for my “glass” brief…
HNC COLLEGE WORK
The first semester flew in and the second semester along with Outside education commitments Caused a great amount of stress and I pushed myself to complete successfully! Was given an A for my graded unit which I was delighted with, received my higher national certificate and was offered a place on the HND course. When I started My photography journey, HND wasn’t something I planned on doing but I said if i was offered a place I would be silly to turn it down! Unfortunately it didn’t work out! I’ve had a great educational journey and ready for the next journey…
“When one door closes, another one opens.”
Alexander Graham Bell
Please feel free to have a look at my portfolio and if you do drop by then mind hit ‘LIKE’.
Its been a busy few weeks with lots going on in college. Week 4 saw the first deadline for documentary and a class outing to Chatlerault country park. This outing involved a masterclass in fashion with Lewis, learning how to pose a model, what works and what doesn’t. During the trip we had the chance to photograph a few models within the location and practise what we had learnt.
Model – Caitie Friel
This is an image I shot on the day and after a class discussion with our lecturer I have captured a nice portrait shot and not a fashion image. I have taken this on board and hope to achieve a better result on my next fashion shoot.
Pratical work…
With most of the written work complete I took a trip to Knockhill race track and took my very first sports images. I tried panning and this was no easy task but I kept at it until I got something that worked. I am a big motorsport fan, but I’m better off sat observing rather than shooting and I take my hat off to those who succeed in this genre. Overall I enjoyed the day, the races, the atmosphere and even experimenting with new techniques, I may even have a few images that will fit in with my coursework.
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Last week saw the first deadline of many. The submission was a project proposal of my chosen idea for the Documentary unit. I have chosen to document the every day struggles of Depression using five different subjects suffering in different ways and producing a visual story book. I plan to document three key stages that show what living with depression looks like.
The first stage is what the victim wants us to see (the false face they hide their depression behind). The second stage is the cause of depression (what happens behind closed doors) and lastly the third stage is the possible outcome (a possible way of dealing with depression or possible way of escaping).
Before tackling my own images I have started researching other Documentary photographers that have captured images of a similar nature to my idea. After typing all sorts of keywords into googles search engine I found two male photographers who’s work related to my idea. I have named both photographers below and attatched an image displaying their work…
The above images are quite powerful and both represent the individual photographers interpretation of depression and I am excited to see my own interpretation…. watch this space!
“It’s not always the tears that measure the pain. Sometimes it’s the smile we fake“
unknown
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Its been a few weeks since I last updated and here is why…. Well the last few weeks since starting HND have been hectic. I have just about digested each brief and the research has began. In amongst my busy college schedule I have been kept extra busy with my very own hectic life. Between photoshoots and personal circumstances Ive been kept busy, busy, busy!
Anyhooo with that said I eventually picked up my camera after a well deserved break and put it to work. Although this wasn’t for any college brief I was excited to be behind the camera again. My first shoot was a sitter session, capturing images of my newest niece, Anna. This little lady was a star and was on top form throughout the shoot. here is a wee sneaky peak…
I was also asked to shoot a first birthday party last weekend which was a new experience, but with the help of a fellow class mate I survived and captured some nice images of the birthday girl.
To add to the excitement I finished this week off participating in A memory walk at Hamilton park racecourse to raise money For the Alzheimer’s society. This time around I was not taking images but will keep an eye on the Alzscots website or facebook page for the next photography oportunity.
Its been several weeks since completing my HNC photography Course and I have just completed my 1st week in HND…. Argh!! Its been a testing few months and the thought of what lies ahead is extremely daunting. I got off to a shaky start and nerves got the better of me, but I pushed those aside and accepted this new challenge.
The first week is over and done with and I have chosen to spend my spare time digesting each brief and producing a plan of action and timescale in order to stay on track and meet deadlines, wish me luck!
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Lauren Foster Photography 