Current Group

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Salt of the Earth Schools Photography Workshop & Exhibition
During November 2009, 36 Higher Art & Design students from 6 Secondary schools worked with the National Museum of Scotland (NMS) and Stills, Scotland’s Centre for Photography to take part in a portrait photography workshop based on Craig Mackay’s Salt of the Earth exhibition at NMS. Run by professional photographer Leanora Olmi, the workshop was designed to provide students with a clearer understanding of portrait photography and to contribute to the expressive aspect of their Art & Design portfolios.

The students spent their first session in the National Museum of Scotland, where, following a technical introduction to the Single Lens Reflex cameras being used, they worked in pairs in locations throughout the museum, taking photographs of their partner. Taking their friend’s personality as the basis for the portrait, the photographer had to direct all aspects of the shoot including selecting the location, the use of props and costume, the pose and expression they wished their model to strike as well as lighting, composition and framing. This was followed by a session at Stills darkrooms where the students were able to hand print their images and learn about the equipment involved in this process.

Following the workshop, students, their teachers and family & friends attended an exhibition of their work in the Museum of Scotland. This provided a perfect opportunity to celebrate the work of these talented young people as well as a chance for them to compare and critique their work.

“Thanks very much for the great opportunity the pupils had at the photography workshop. They got a lot out of it and loved it. The feedback was very positive.”

“The most enjoyable aspect of the workshop was using the cameras and exploring the museum.”

“Only having 6 frames was a great way to emphasize taking good photography….you need to prepare more”

“The most enjoyable part of the workshop was exploring light and different angles and learning a bit more about how to work a camera as well as being creative.”

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The Project
Earlier this year, Creative Electric, an Edinburgh group led by Heather Marshall that aims to provide accessible arts activities to the Edinburgh community, consulted with a group of young people about the issues they are faced with when it comes to mass media, identity and individuality. Through this consultation the group decided they would like to explore these issues by way of a photography project. And in such a digital world, the young people pointed out the present 'perfect photo' trend for taking photos on such social networks like Bebo, Myspace and Facebook; digital photography allowed the opportunity to endlessly delete photos they didn't like and keep trying for the 'perfect photo'. They felt the element of suprise was lost.

So the group looked into alternative ways of taking photographs and photography trends and decided on a Lomographic photography project that would allow them a unique photography experience that would challenge their current perceptions of what a photograph should be.

Of those consulted few had used instant cameras and none had used lomographic cameras.When the concept of Lomographic photography, in particular fish eye, was explained to the group many of the young people were excited, intrigued and the majority stated that this was something they'd like to try. So when exploring the '10 Rules' from the Lomographic Society, the young people were particuarly interested in the very different concept of 'shooting from the hip', a far cry from today's digital camera LCD screens so readily used when taking a photograph.

Social Context
In todays society we are given an image that we are meant to adhere to. The media presents us with perfects bodies and those that are not deemed perfect are featured in magazines with red rings highlighting their imperfections. Creative Electric believes that this is damaging to young people. Being a teenager should be about having fun and experimenting with different looks. Its hard enough being a teenager without the media implying that the way you look is wrong.Lomographic photography moves away from the idea of the instant, perfect photograph and instead replaces it with a fun, experimental one.

The Workshops
Over a course of six weeks the participants on the workshop have been given the chance to explore more traditional ways of taking a photograph through 35mm black & white film photography, developing and printing in Stills' darkrooms, as well as shooting medium format colour film and learning some digital post processing techiniques like film scanning.