Summary

This assignment has been very worthwhile, I have learnt a lot about new practitioners and I have developed the idea that I have wanted to pursue for many years. I now feel confident in going into my FMP with a very strong idea of what is expected of me and how to do it. The planning throughout this assignment will be key to keep my photography at a high standard and the time management table will insure I keep to the deadline that I set myself. I look forward to the upcoming module and hope I will be able to put across my feelings through my final practical work.

Contact

Having spoke to the owner of Risley Forge again, about other forges near by that I could photograph, he told me that one of the forges that I have researched would be ideal. Bartington Forge has a man who works there who is extremely talented when it comes to metal work, he is apparently a very sociable man and apparently would be more than obliged to let me talk and photograph him. This is the place that I will start to find forges that I can photograph at. I am not worried about not being able to find forges to work with because I am almost positive that a handful of them at least will be helpful and give me some of their time to let me talk and photograph them.

Teacher Traning

Through speaking to a graduate at a party that I attended over christmas, the idea of doing a further education year after I graduate came into my mind. The guy told me that it was a great learning curve and their is a possible job at the end of it. It was never really something that appealed to me however the more I think about doing a course such as a PGCE course, the more I am interested in it. I decided to research into this is more detail, below is some information that I found. 

PGCE – Teacher Training Courses

Teaching is increasingly a career for the most able graduates, and to achieve

qualified teacher status (QTS) you need to complete an initial teacher training

(ITT) course. There are a number of options available so you can choose the

one which most suits your needs.

All ITT courses include the opportunity to spend time in school to help develop

your teaching skills and they are designed to build your confidence as you

learn about key teaching methods. We offer a comprehensive programme of

support to guide you all the way through the application process.

If you’d like to teach a subject to an advanced level, for example, you could be

more interested in secondary teaching, rather than primary.

You can complete your ITT alongside a degree, straight after a degree, as a

part-time course alongside work, or as a full-time course, including

employment-based routes. The option that is right for you will depend on your

circumstances.

If you already have a degree, consider a postgraduate certificate in education

(PGCE). A PGCE course mainly focuses on developing your teaching skills,

rather than the subject you intend to teach.

If you do not currently have an undergraduate degree, you can complete a

Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Bachelor of Arts (BA)/Bachelor of Science

(BSc) with qualified teacher status (QTS) course. These courses enable you

to study for a degree and complete your initial teacher training (ITT) at the

same time. Both postgraduate and undergraduate courses are available at

universities and colleges throughout the UK.

Courses generally last for one year full-time or up to two years part-time.

You may be eligible to receive funding while you train for your PGCE. PGCE

applications are made through a system administered by the Universities and

Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). The UCAS Teacher Training website is

the portal through which you can search for a provider and make your

application. It provides useful guidance for applicants and step-by-step help

on the application process.

Generally speaking, UCAS Teacher Training accepts applications from

November to June for courses starting the following September or October.

However, be aware that courses in primary teaching, physical education (PE)

and history are very popular and there is considerable competition for places.

To guarantee that your first choice of course provider will consider you, you

need to apply as early as possible.

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options

Presentation Slides

As this module came to an end, we were asked to make a short presentation for the rest of our peers which outlined the work that we had done so far. I was eager to show the rest of my class my idea and get feedback from them, this was a great opportunity. Below are the slides that I showed them and at the bottom of this post is a brief summary of the feedback.

The feedback from my peers and the tutors was that of a positive one, right from the start I knew what I wanted to achieve and the tutors picked up on that. Their feedback in the group sessions were of great value to me and helped me to put the project on. When I showed the group my presentation they all said that I am ready to start producing the final pieces, I was happy with this because I know that this is how I feel, ready for the next assignment. This assignment was a great way to start the ball rolling, to enable me to research and experiment before the start of the FMP. 

Idea

I had a possible idea for the space in which I will exhibit my final photographs, I am unsure as to whether it will be feasible or not though. My idea is that I could exhibit my final photographs in the forge at where I have worked for over 7 years. This idea may not be feasible though and I will need to speak to tutors before I go any further with it. 

Time Management

Time management is a very important tool for my up and coming FMP, I will have to be careful with my time so that I end up producing the strongest piece of work that I can. In order to make sure that I don't go off the plan for the FMP, I have produced a detailed plan of the 12 (or 14) week module, see below.

My time management planner is fairly self explanatory, the beginning stages include, visiting the chosen exhibition space to see how many/ how big the final prints will be, contacting and visiting the forges of my choice and start to build a rapport with them, research (set minimum amount of time each week), blogging my research and findings whilst starting to photograph from the very start!

The middle of the table involves more in depth research, building a further rapport/ relationship with the forges, continuing blogging and continuing to photograph!

The latter part of the table involves getting involved with the chosen printing company (to find the best final print set up), then editing the final chosen photographs and then finishing off the blogging of the experimentation. 

I tried to split the table up into 5 manageable headings, these are the ones that I thought could cover all of the work that needs to be done.

The plan will be a rough guideline and I am sure it will be changed along the way, it is just a useful tool to keep me on track. A great idea!

Connection Between The Subject And Myself

Throughout this research project so far, I have mentioned again and again the importance of the connection between myself and the subject. This post is to really show the importance of this. It is through my upbringing that makes me want to really get to know each of the forges before I photograph them, as I have said before whilst researching other photographers, this is what makes their photographs great, that connection! I really want this whole project to be a positive one, looking at the positives of this declining industry. As mentioned, the sooner I start building a rapport with the forges, the better. I have the ability to talk to people that I have not met before and this will stand me in good stead for the up coming module. 

Note

Through looking on the Risley Forge website, I found a photograph of me working one of the lathes. 

Note

The contacts that I chose to add to the second section of my professional practice pack are the beginning of a vast directory of contact details of any people that I may need to get into contact with during my FMP. This list is a great way to keep all of the contact details together and I will keep updating the document as my project progresses. I included all of the companies that I have used to printing and processing my photographs in the past, this is for when I come to print and mount my final photographs ready for the exhibition/final show.

Equipment

In terms of equipment, I will be using a Canon 5D Mark II. I will need an external flash also due to the dark workshops where I will be photographing. 

I have also been experimenting with a medium format Rolleiflex Automat camera, this camera is great for portrait work and through more experimenting and shooting, this may become my primary camera for the project. Below is a photograph that I took on the Rollieflex, the two subjects are two of the men who work at the forge. Phil and Bill.

The Rolleiflex is a great camera and produces some beautiful photographs, I am still unsure as to whether this will be my chosen medium. I will continue experimenting!

The Canon 5D Mark II gives me the latitude that I need when photographing in such dark conditions. I also need to think about the price of development and scans that come with the medium format camera, it may not be feasible or affordable.

I have also been granted access and use of a Phase One medium format digital camera, I took the camera home for one night and had a play around with it. It was so different to any other camera that I have used before and it took some time to get used to. The photographs that I got whilst playing around with the camera and its settings are wonderful. The camera really gives a unique look to the photographs and I am considering getting to grips more with this camera then using this as my chosen camera for the final photographs. Below is a test shot that I took (of my mum) on the Phase One. I love the format of the final images too, not quite square but not the same as say the Canon 5D.

Below is my favourite photograph from the test shoot that I did with the Canon 5D. I am very happy with this camera and will continue to experiment with this and take it to every shoot that I do, even if it just a back up camera. This may in the end become my chosen camera of choice.

Notice the beautiful quality that the Canon 5D outputs! This is Phil, the owner standing next to his pride and joy, his new lathe.

Working Title

I need to think of a name for this series of work, a working title to be more specific, something that can change as the project progresses. This is a hard task, something that is harder than I expected it to be. I know what I want from this project but putting that into a number of words for a title is very hard. If I was going to choose just one forge to focus on, for example Risley Forge, then the name of the forge would be used as the title. However, I am choosing to photograph more than 1 forge so I need a title that will be suitable. Having thought about this for some time, I think that I have come up with a working title, nothing to be set in stone but something that I can change if needs be in the future. "The Praise Of Engineers" is my chosen title, I believe that it is short and to the point and sums up what I am trying to put across. 

Chosen Forges

I decided from the very start of this assignment that I am going to photograph in more than the one forge that I have already photographed (and worked) in before. This was due to the fact that I wanted to photograph and get to know more than just the three people who work in Risley Forge. In order to find out about any more forges in the North West, I decided to ask Phil, the owner and boss of Risley Forge, he has a vast knowledge about everything to do with metal working and I thought he might know some other forges where I could photograph. 

After speaking to him, I then jotted down the names of the forges that he knew, I then searched the internet to see if I could unearth any information about each forge. I knew from experience that these types of business' run mainly from word of mouth (how it should be!) and from recommendations from people who have used to services. I expected to not find that much information on the forges he told me about online. I was however, fairly surprised, most of the forges that he mentioned had a website and contact details, I decided to add these to my professional practice pack just in case/when I needed to contact them.

Below is a brief description on each individual forge, giving a brief insight into each of them. I have also included their contact details, as I did for my professional practice pack. 

I now intend to contact each of the forges to discus me visiting them for a face to face chat, again I believe that through experience with engineers before, they usually prefer speaking face to face rather than on the phone. 

As mentioned before, I will now contact the forges and go down to meet to men who work at each forge, I will introduce myself and speak to them about my photographic project. I will not take photographs on the initial visits as I believe that this isnt the right way to go about it. I would rather they get used to me at first and then I take my camera the next time I visit the forges when the men are potentially more relaxed. 

Risley Forge

Risley Forge is a rare facility - an “engineering smithy” for everyone, where it

is possible to get mechanical items manufactured or repaired. The forge offers

four main areas of business activity, namely precision engineering,

mechanical fitting, welding and blacksmithing skills provided by experienced

craftsmen.

Address: Risley Forge, Warrington Road, Risley, Warrington, WA3 6AY.

Phone: 01925 812122

Email: phil@risleyforge.com

Owner: Phil Gannon

Employees: Bill, John.

Website: http://www.risleyforge.com/

Bartington Forge

Established in 1982 by David Wilson, Bartington Forge is a small family run

blacksmithing business. Now run jointly with his son Peter, with David’s wife

Jean as secretary, Bartington Forge seeks to offer high quality work with

special attention to service. Using traditional and modern methods, the forge

produces handmade decorative and ornamental ironwork, tools for industry,

ironwork for the inland waterways, security work for local councils and

customised items for individual clients.

Address: Warrington Road, Bartington, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 4QU.

Phone: 01606 851553

Email: peter.bartington-forge@virgin.net

Owner: David Wilson

Employees: David Wilson, Peter Wilson.

Website: http://www.bartingtonforgeblacksmith.co.uk/

Chris Brammell LTD

At Chris Brammall Ltd we are dedicated to the creation of the highest quality

sculptural and architectural metalwork. We have been producing bespoke

work for over 19 years ranging from small-scale private commissions to

extensive public realm initiatives and specialist fabrication.

Address: Low Mall Business Park, Morecambe Road, Ulverston, Cumbria,

Lake District, LA12 9EE.

Phone: 01229 588580

Email: admin@chrisbrammall.com

Owner: Chris Brammall

Website: http://www.chrisbrammall.com/

Luke Lister

Established in 1890, Luke Lister Blacksmiths and Fabrication Engineers have

been providing high quality craftsmanship and service for five generations.

Address: 173 Heaton Lane, Stockport, Cheshire, SK4 1AQ.

Phone: 0161 480 4074

Mobile: 07890 058914

Email: info@lukelister.co.uk

Owner: Luke Lister

Website: http://www.lukelister.co.uk/

DA Mason Blacksmiths

DA Mason Blacksmith has been established for 25 years in the Cheshire town

of Crewe. As a traditional blacksmith the company has carried out all types of

repair and welding work as well as making gates and railings for the domestic,

commercial & agricultural market.

Address: Unit 2, Gresty Lane, Crewe, Cheshire, CW2 5DD.

Phone: 01270 583371

Owner: David Mason

Woolton Blacksmiths

Address: Holt Lane, Liverpool, L27 2YB.

Phone: 0151 488 0177

Owner: Bernie Black




These are the initial forges that I choose to target however through more research I may find more suitable ones. 

Possible Exhibition Spaces

As mentioned in my previous post, the working class movement library could be a possible contender as to where I exhibit my final show. I want somewhere with relevant meaning if possible and this is a great place which does just that. Having looked into this  space move on the internet, it is also in an idea location for my final show, it is close to the city centre and also only a stones throw from my university building just half a mile down the road. 

Other possible venues for my final show include the following. I will name possible venues and the talk about their suitability. I have included some more information about the WCML in Salford as well as adding the contact details of all of the venues I have chosen.

Working Class Movement Library

Working people have always struggled to get their voice heard. The working

class movement library records over 200 years of organising and

campaigning by ordinary men and women. Our collection provides a rich

insight into working peoples daily lives as well as their thoughts, hopes, fears

and the roles they played in the significant events of their time.

Phone: 0161 7363601

Website: http://www.wcml.org.uk/

Media City Salford University Building

MediaCityUK is a vibrant place in which to live, work, socialise and study.

Home to major BBC and ITV departments, the University of Salford and over

80 businesses across the creative and digital sectors, MediaCityUK is

recognised as one of the most innovative developments in Britain.

“Our creative studio spaces include two industry standard HD TV studios

including a green screen and three radio studios capable of facilitating any

productions and broadcasts.

The studio spaces could be a great addition to your event – film interviews

with your guests or even broadcast your event live as it happens.

As part of our ongoing vision to produce highly employable graduates, by

making use of these studios you will have access to our undergraduate and

postgraduate students (fully supervised by University of Salford staff and

technicians) who will be there to support your project. This could be from

simple work shadowing to filming, direction and producing.”

There are two fully functioning state of art TV studios, possibly the highest

specification education studios in Europe.

This would be a very suitable location for the final show, it is clean, easily accessible and will attract a lot of foot fall, as well as being the north wests capital for media! Although I did say that I would have liked relevance to the project itself. 

Email: e.k.looskin@salford.ac.uk

Phone: +44 (0)161 295 3824

Website: http://www.salford.ac.uk/mediacityuk/venue

Corner House (Manchester)

Cornerhouse is Manchester’s international centre for contemporary visual arts

and independent film. The Cornerhouse and Library Theatre Company brands

will continue until the move to the new venue, and distinct programmes will

also be maintained until this time. Building on our heritage of Cornerhouse

and the Library Theatre Company, the new organisation will produce the best

in contemporary theatre, visual art and film, learning and participation,

creative industries and digital innovation.

Cornerhouse has a range of great spaces to hire for your meeting,

conference, networking event or party, including all three of our cinemas. Hire

packages include AV equipment and we also have a great range of catering

options to choose from.

Again, this space is in a great location however I am not sure if they will allow to show my final show due to this being a very sought after gallery.

Email: pat.raikes@cornerhouse.org

Website: http://www.cornerhouse.org/

More thought into which space I will choose needs to be done.

The Working Class Movement Library

"Our collection tells the story of Britain's working classes from the earliest days of 
industrialisation to the present day."- Taken from their website. 

This is a great building, full of fascinating artefacts surrounding the history of the working class. This would be a fantastic place to possibly have my final show and I think that if I approached the management their, they would be willing to help support me. 

I will go down to visit the library in the net couple of weeks so that I can have a look around the building and maybe ask about the possibility of my work being exhibited there. I think that it is important to build a rapport with this establishment early on too!

Website: http://www.wcml.org.uk/

Peer/ Tutor Feedback On Assignment So Far

We have continued having weekly feedback session so that we can share our progress with our peers and tutors. Each time I have been outlining what I have found and what I have done to push the project on further. I made it my goal to begin photographing early on in the research assignment, due to the practical side of things being very important in terms of finding the right technical way to get the final images. Each week I have been taking in practical work, no matter how basic or otherwise, I believe giving any sort of practical experimentation can be of great benefit because of the feedback from others. I also found that showing my work to others gave me a great sense of belief in my own work and this make me thrive to get better images week in week out. 

I have been showing the group my experimentation with different cameras, starting with the Canon 5d MK II. I intend to loan some other cameras in order to practice and get to grips with the different cameras. By doing so, I will then find the most suitable equipment which will make the final shoots in the upcoming module a lot smoother. 

Below are some of the practice shots that I took on the 5D. I got used to this camera almost instantly, being a canon used previously. 

The above photographs are purely test shots. I have had an idea in my head since I started this assignment and that is that I believe that I will get the better images once I have engaged with the viewer and built up a rapport. This test shoot was to test the waters so to speak, to get the subjects used to the camera as well as myself getting used to the new equipment. I have photographed many times in the forge so that connection is already there between me and the men who work there however, this is a new much bigger camera and this can sometimes throw the trust and comfort off with some people.

This was a great shoot in terms of me getting to grips with the camera and I am more than happy using the camera in future shoots! The things that I like about the 5D is that it handles the low light conditions in the forge well and is quick and easy to use. The resolution of the outputted images are also of a fantastic quality, something that is of great importance to me in this project. I want the images to be crisp and clear so that the viewer can see every detail on the subjects body, the cuts, the dirt and the many years of hard work. 

Exhibitions/ Gallery Research

Galleries 

The Photographers Gallery

The Photographers' Gallery is the largest public gallery in London dedicated

to photography. From the latest emerging talent, to historical archives and

established artist, this is a place to see photography in all its forms.

http://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/

Director: Brett Rogers Email: info@tpg.org.uk

The Open Eye Gallery

Open Eye is an independent not-for-profit photography gallery based in

Liverpool. One of the UK’s leading photography spaces, and the only gallery

dedicated to photography and related media in the North West of England.

Open Eye has consistently championed photography as an art form that is

relevant to everyone. They promote the practice, enjoyment and

understanding of photography by creating challenging and entertaining

opportunities to experience and appreciate distinctive, innovative

photographs.

http://www.openeye.org.uk/

Director: Lorenzo Fusi Email: lorenzo@openeye.org.uk

The International Center of Photography (ICP) (New York)

The world’s leading institution dedicated to the practice and understanding of

photography and the reproduced image in all its forms. Through our

exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach, we offer an open

forum for dialogue about the role images play in our culture.

http://www.icp.org

Chief Curator: Brian Wallis

The Impressions Gallery (Bradford)

One of the first specialist photography galleries in the country, playing a vital

role in changing the way people think about photography. With an

international reputation, Impressions are proud to be in Bradford, the world’s

first UNESCO City of Film. They support and encourage artists and

photographers who challenge and change photography.

http://www.impressions-gallery.com/

Director: Anne McNeill Email: enquiries@impressions-gallery.com

Ffoto Gallery

Ffotogallery is the national development agency for photography and lensbased

media in Wales. Our view is outward looking, with an exhibition

programme featuring artists from Wales and the rest of the world.

Ffotogallery seeks to widen its impact and influence through touring

exhibitions, collaborations with other organisations and galleries, print and

online publishing and an extensive education and outreach programme.

http://www.ffotogallery.org/

Director: David Drake Email: david.drake@ffotogallery.org

BALTIC

BALTIC is a major international centre for contemporary art. BALTIC has no

permanent collection, providing instead an ever-changing calendar of

exhibitions and events that give a unique and compelling insight into

contemporary artistic practice. BALTICS dynamic, diverse and international

programme ranges from blockbuster exhibitions to innovative new work and

projects created by artists working within the local community.

https://www.balticmill.com

Curator: Laurence Sillars Email: info@balticmill.com

Museum of Modern Art (New York)

The Museum of Modern Art is a place that fuels creativity, ignites minds, and

provides inspiration. With extraordinary exhibitions and the world's finest

collection of modern and contemporary art, MoMA is dedicated to the

conversation between the past and the present, the established and the

experimental. Our mission is helping you understand and enjoy the art of our

time.

http://www.moma.org/

Director: Glenn D. Lowry

MACBA (Barcelona)

As a public entity, the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)

assumes responsibility for disseminating contemporary art, offering a diverse

range of visions, and generating critical debates on art and culture, while

aspiring to reach increasingly diverse audiences. MACBA is an open

institution where citizens can find a space of public representation, and also

prioritises education and innovation in its field.

http://www.macba.cat/

Curator: Antònia Maria Perelló Email: exposicions@macba.cat

Director: Bartomeu Marí Ribas Email: bmari@macba.cat

Chinese Arts Centre (Manchester)

The Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art (formerly Chinese Arts Centre) is

leading the UK in exploring a changing international dynamic. This is the

Chinese Century and Chinese contemporary art and visual culture is a vibrant

force, fast gaining momentum.

http://cfcca.org.uk

Director: Sarah Fisher

Exhibitions

Walker Evans- American Photographs. Museum Of Modern Art (MOMA),

New York.

I visited this exhibition in November 2013, I wanted to see first hand the way

that Walker Evans himself wanted to put across his work to others. This

exhibition and presentation gave me huge enthusiasm and passion to drive

my project forward, his work was impacting and beautiful. In this exhibition, I

really got to see the huge changes that were happening in America around

the time Evans took the photographs. The beautifully crafted dead pan

portraits of American people and life with moving contrast to the rundown

buildings show the ideas of Evans by proving to the viewer that the basics of

documentary photography can make this style into a widely accepted art form.

http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1388

Curator: Sarah Hermanson Meister

Lewis Hine. The International Center Of Photography (ICP), New York.

I visited this exhibition in November 2013, in New York. The exhibition was a

mixture of all Hines major series of work, or at least a carefully selected

handful from each series. One particular series of work that was of great

interest to me was the series “Men At Work”, an impacting set of photographs

that document the courage and skill of the men behind the machines of this

ever computerized world. The brave men who you see in his photographs

look almost unreal through the eye of Hine, in this set of work he portrays the

brave men as heroes in which they deserve to be praised for.

http://www.icp.org/museum/exhibitions/lewis-hine

Curator: Alison Nordström

Brian Griffin- Work. Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

This exhibition showcases Griffins set of work named “work”, it delves into the

praise of workmen, choosing to position them as if they were heroes or

knights lying in state. This is a very unique way of praising the workmen, a

very interesting and influential figure/ set of work for my project.

Industrial Evolution: All That Is Solid Melts Into Air

(Manchester Art Gallery)

From folk songs to heavy metal, via Amazon and zero hours contracts,

Jeremy Deller explores the impact of the Industrial Revolution.

Website: http://www.creativetourist.com/articles/art/manchester/industrialevolution-

all-that-is-solid-melts-into-air-at-manchester-art-gallery/

Through researching many different galleries and also some relevant exhibitions, I was able to see where my work would fit, in the gallery wall world. Through visiting some of the worlds best photographic galleries, including two in New York, i also got a great feel of how I can see my final show being presented. This was a great way to see how my own work could be envisaged, by looking at hoe other practitioners have chosen to hang their work. I payed special attention to details within exhibitions, these are the little things that make a massive difference.