1:1 with James S

After the group crit last week and went away with some more questions which I knew I needed some 1:1 time for. Emailing would perhaps be complicated as I wanted to go over so much. 

Today I wanted to go through everything, my visual logbook and reflective journal. Even though half an hour was't enough time to do that I just wanted a brief check through to see if anything stood out or if there was something missing. Both are fairly up-to-date but from the last units feedback I was told I didn't have enough industry research or artist research. This is my last shot now so I want to make sure that I complete it all to the best of my ability.

We began by looking through my visual logbook where I have all my shoots, edits, research and portfolio planning. James noticed the treatments and mentioned that I need to talk about the treatments in my outcome. I should talk about where the inspiration of the treatment comes into my images. Also my treatments don't work together. One in particular was my treatment for my shots of jewellery. I was contradicting between cold and warm images. I said that I was actually looking at the composition of the image rather than the colour and tones. Instead I can use those images within my treatment but create separate ones titled 'composition' or 'colour', etc. This is to show that I can create a treatment and follow it, because this is all part of the industry and working to a clients brief. 

As of research there was nothing about my subject... loss. I had done artist research based on images that I like and around the subject but no solid writing simply about the topic of loss. I need to talk about this and show research as it is a big part of it. I never thought to write about it and got too caught up in making the images. I can go back to my research report for help as it was based upon loss and coping with grief. This could help me with my images creating new ideas on ways to present loss. 

I've been told to look at Paul Hill and his work Corridor of Uncertainty, and the following project On The Edge of Emotion. It's about him losing his wife, but then creating a second project based on finding someone new but still recovering from his loss. He has a book out so would be interesting to see what that has to say. He also done a course based on loss at Demontfort university. 

I'm definitely lacking industry stuff, and I need to be looking for jobs that could apply to my practice. James said about a fine art market - but consider where my work would sell. I should also check the email from James C about Uncertain States and see where I can put my work forward using binary oppositions such as past and future, linking to my current work. 

My self promotional package so far includes a website, business cards and a CV. I wanted to see if there was anything else I could look at doing in case I had missed anything. James said that the promotional package is down to the individual, it all depends on what is appropriate for your practice. I believe a website, business cards and CV is enough for a fine art photographer however I will look further into this and see what other options there are. I have always like the idea of postcards and believe they are something nice for someone to keep. However I would definitely need to consider what images to use as the more personal ones like the portraits I feel my family members wouldn't give me there consent to do that. Which is understandable. 

Going back to my CV I asked about the lay out and the information I have put on there. I was happy with it but wanted to get it double checked before I say it's finished. James read through it and said that my profile needs to be more interesting. I need to talk more about the work that I create and where the idea stems from. I can go into detail about the loss of my mum and why I am passionate about the subject enough to photograph it. I can also include this information in my about page on my website as it will give my audience more insight into what I do and why. There was also no mention of my creativity. I had said I could use Photoshop, camera equipment etc but they're not interested in that. They want to know who I am as a creative and how creative I am. Therefore I need to discuss my current project and the exploration around the theme of loss. Show them I am creative and inventive. 

My professional profile and skills section are both very similar, therefore I can pair them two together instead of repeating myself. To help I could look at the bio's of Nadav Kander. They talk about their childhood and where there exploration of themes stem from.