Professional context / Knowledge.
LO1 demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the professional context(s) relevant to your practice and have an understanding of the professional dimensions that underpin a successful photographic practice.
I have completed a number of student and professional reviews of my work (student, J Sybylla Smith, James Gilberd, Rohan Hutchinson). Following each session, I have written a summary of their advice, a reflection as it relates to my project and documented any research points they may have mentioned.
This process has not been easy and the results have been extremely mixed. A number have not bothered to even reply to requests, whilst others have obviously not even read the project summary providing answers that are dismissive and more about their own work than yours, but then there are others that take the time, are interested in helping and listen, giving examples as to how your work can be improved or changed to address the different possible display mediums I’m thinking of undertaking.
Being an introvert putting my work into the public arena wasn’t the plan. Being a trained PSNZ Judge I have always tried to provide professional constructive comments and advice as to how images could be improved and this process has made that even more important to me. I understand that professional photographers are busy but they should remember that they were a student once and a polite response goes a long way.
Creativity.
LO2 coherently present a body of work, making creative presentation decisions that complement your subject and/or your artistic strategies.
I have completed a very steep learning curve using Adobe InDesign for both the book and the zine draft versions. Once I had managed to set the pages, margins and bleeds correctly the placement of the images seemed to follow quite easily. Understanding the use of ‘Master’ pages really helped with the formatting. Gathering all the images into exported ‘tiff’ files in a separate book/zine folder allowed easy access for selection. I did have to re-edit a number of images to fit into the layouts I wanted and I returned to the location to complete a further shoot to obtain textures for front covers.
I have developed five different book designs which can be seen here. I will continue to develop these following the initial peer and professional reviews I have completed (as detailed above). The aim is to amend and to re-issue for review and feedback. I plan to produce a bespoke book for the exhibition in November which will be platinum and palladium but I would also like to produce a digital version for general purchase and gifts for the people who have helped with this project.
The zine design has progressed in a similar way. This was originally a way of promoting my work by entering a New Zealand competition that forms part of the annual photobook festival held in Wellington. The page number is limited to just 36 pages (including cover). If selected the zine will be printed professionally and the winner will receive 10 of the 250 that are printed. It costs nothing to enter – well apart from my time and the paper and ink to produce the one for submission. The ease of InDesign is that you can easily produce a booklet that can be printed by any home printer, so you can produce a cheap draft to check layout and order of images. I designed six drafts which were sent to fellow students and to Rohan Hutchinson for review and comment. These can be seen here. A final version was selected and printed for submission.
In addition to the book and zine I also plan to undertake an exhibition. The show will consist of fifteen framed platinum and palladium prints taken from the project series. I have selected this method of printing due to the tonal range which consist of warm blacks through reddish browns, to an extensive range of mid-tone greys. A pure platinum print will produce a higher contrast image with cooler tones which will suit a number of the current images. A pure palladium image offers a warmer overall image with softer highlights. By using a mixture of the two chemicals you obtain a balance which I think works well for the portrait work.
The website for the project will be continually developed and updated as the work progresses and will form the main part of advertising for the project, zine, book and exhibition.
LO3 operate in complex commercial contexts requiring the application of specific interpersonal, professional and business skills within an ethical framework.
This project has allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills by collaborating with fellow students to add additional aspects to my book in the form of a written section and a piece of illustration. I have learnt how to negotiate and explain what I would like to enhance the narrative and promote the project. This has also resulted in a small grant being allocated from the OCA to myself and two fellow students. The grant will allow me to produce a more professional book for submission.
Through research and networking I have made contact with the author of ‘On the Edge’. The book that inspired me to work with the women of Ngawi. The author – Jim Graydon has produced a foreword for the book, this can be found here.
Assignment Two was submitted based on the proposal for a solo exhibition. The gallery is a small intimate space which I think will blend well with the prints I intend to exhibit. The owner only promotes local artists so it will be a great way to network with other artists in the area.
The proposal gave me the opportunity to consider all of the requirements necessary for pulling the exhibition together. A large amount of the work will be down to the production of the prints and the bespoke book. Time will be needed to ensure each of the digital negatives are produced, calibrated and the paper prepared. Working with a fellow artist has allowed me to understand the costs of the chemicals, and paper required. As I have exhibited before I had already gained information on frames and possible manufacturers. Provided I stick to standard sizes the costs can be controlled.
Presentations and Outcomes.
LO4 independently disseminate your body of work by establishing relationships and networks with audiences, clients and markets.
The submission of my project via the zine competition will be the first time the project as a whole has been seen outside of my fellow students and the portfolio reviews detailed above. I will continue to submit work to other forums such as Lens Culture, Women in Photography and the Head-on Photo Festival.
I will start to increase the promotion of the work via social media such as Facebook and Instagram. I will produce postcards for the exhibition and ensure that these are distributed locally prior to the event.
LO5 confidently engage a public audience with your practice and analyse, review and evaluate information relevant to your practice, identifying opportunities for professional development.
As the book develops and the images are selected for the exhibition I will continue to seek peer review and feedback as I have previously, this I believe will enable me to grow as a photographer, learn to accept negative views and to view my work differently, explore other avenues and processes.
Michele Usher 