2a Individual spaces

I&P Exercise 2.1

Make three different portraits using three different subjects. Prior to shooting your portraits, engage with your subjects and agree three different specific locations which have some relevance or significance to them individually.

I&P p.58

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[3Nov20] With the second Covid-19 lockdown due to start in a few days, there were always going to be compromises with this exercise, but far fewer than I first envisaged.

My initial thought was that I would be restricted to my immediate family, and was prepared to go with that. I then thought of Peter, a homeless chap who spends most dry, daylight hours of most days sitting outside the Catholic Church on Eltham High Street — I photographed him last year for C&N Exc. 1.2, 30 Street Photographs (fig. A1), and we talked about the Percival Camera Centre that used to be in business about 100 yards along the High Street. Peter is amenable to being photographed and so I thought that this would be at least one for the exercise outside the family.

I went shopping on 2nd, with no intention of looking for Peter, but decided to do so on the spur of the moment. On the way to his seat, I passed a busker and made the usual interrogatory gesture (waggle the camera and raise the eyebrows), to which he assented. I took the photograph and chatted briefly. His name was Chris.

Peter was in his usual place and talking to a street cleaner (Darren) who was sharing his seat, taking a break. I apologised for interrupting, asked whether I could photograph them then did so.

The main compromise here is that I did not discuss where they wanted to be photographed, I took the photographs where they chose to be at that time on that day.

That said, the images are creditable representation of their subjects and sufficiently proximate to the brief as to be viable.

Only three photographs were taken: the contacts sheet is shown in fig. E1.

[13Nov] Once again, as with Assignment 1, I was surprised at how co-operative people are – my score so far is ten requests, ten assents (seven for Asg.1, thee for this exercise): the police, armed and otherwise, in Exc 1.3 seemed more reluctant though I didn’t ask.

Implementation of the brief
‘Make three different portraits using three different subjects’ – this requirement was met.
‘Prior to shooting your portraits, engage with your subjects and agree three different specific locations which have some relevance or significance to them individually’ – this was compromised by virus distancing restrictions, although none of the subjects was wearing a mask. I did not discuss locations for the pictures, but Chris was where he chooses to be when he busks; Peter was where he spends most of his days; Darren was where he happened to be when I encountered him, but a portrait of Darren as a street sweeper would have to be on the street with his equipment.

See the blog, 25th Feb.

I&P Exc 2.1 References

Boothroyd, S. and Roberts, K. (2019) Identity and place. Barnsley: Open College of the Arts. [I&P]