Nothing Is Real

So, it’s the final count down. Final project on the MA Film and Photography course at Derby Uni. My feelings are a little mixed at the moment due to several factors, however the main one is the operation I had on my right arm just before Christmas. I really began to struggle throughout the end of November and December with written work, and then framing and mounting for the December submission due to nerve damage in my arms.

 

I have been written off work until the start of February, which means I could be spending loads of time on my last project. However, I can’t use my right hand properly – no lifting, writing, shooting etc. I’m also waiting for the operation on my left arm too, so at this stage I’m concerned about how I am going to succeed and complete the project. I’m guessing that time will tell.

 

I have tried to shoot this month – The Bootleg Beatles performing at the Echo Arena in Liverpool in front of around 8,000 fans. It was my first attempt at picking up the camera after the operation a few weeks ago, and it is fair to say I struggled. I am happy with some of the shots achieved on the night though, a few documentary shots, captured left handed!

 

It was a positive night with the band and management too. I presented them with the book I had created for the December submission, and it was received very positively. All of the band want a copy, and there was a conversation about ordering one hundred limited edition copies to sell at future concerts. I was over the moon with that! However, Adam Hastings, who performs as John Lennon, will be leaving the band in the summer to move to America. Due to this, the management eventually decided not to pursue the photo album being printed for sale. Obviously they’d like the full new line up to feature in any merchandise being sold, which is understandable.

 

All in all though, it’s really positive to know that the band and managers like my work and coverage of their performances.

 

As part of my research this month, I visited the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize at the National Portrait Gallery in London. I have visited this exhibition every year for the past 8 or so years, and it is clear to see a trend has evolved over the past few years. This year, I really began to question what it is to be successful in the competition. I had received some very positive feedback in my last project from Camilla Brown, who has curated exhibitions and been on competition panels. Camilla had stated I should enter this years competition, which blew my mind a little. I did not think my work was strong enough at this stage to enter.

 

So, while looking through the 2017 winners, I tried to picture and hypothesise where in the competition my work would fit. Would it fit?! Looking through the images printed and framed in the NPG, I couldn’t help but analyse the photographs in front of me, and I couldn’t escape one question – is it more concept or technical ability?

 

I have taught photography for the past ten years, and each year I have given interviews and mock interviews for students. One of my questions is this: “what is more important, technical ability or strong ideas?” I expect, and usually receive, a varying response. Many students will say it is technical ability, while others will pitch in for strong ideas. The reply I give them, and my own point of view, is that it should be around 50/50, a good mixture of both. If you have fantastic concepts, but no photographic knowledge, you’re not going to achieve the images you hold in your mind. And on the flip side, if you’re a technical genius, but you cannot create any ideas or concepts for your work, then you’re going to struggle.

 

Looking at the work in the NPG though, I began to question my own view point. Here I am, looking at competition finalists, but the focus is on the foot of someone in a portrait, rather than their face. I can remember in previous years, the digital manipulation of an image wasn’t quite finished on a print and you could easily see where a dog had been manipulated. If this happens on competition finalists, am I over analysing my own work? Should I just go and shoot the idea? I can’t just shake this feeling at the moment.