Photography is a universal language. It is a way to speak to every person in the whole world without the barrier of language. I believe it is one of the most important things because you can reach so many lives and touch their minds in many ways. You can make people cry and laugh and stare in wonder at a photograph. The emotion and effect of certain words unique to a language can lose all of its true meaning through translation whereas in photography, everyone can feel the full force of emotion.
From a young age I have always spent time sketching and drawing but it really developed into a strong passion during GCSE Art which is where I honed my skills and discovered the power of photography. This progressed through A-level Photography where I’ve explored a range of areas to challenge people’s ideas, such as identity, and show them new ideas and concepts that they might not have thought about. It has enabled me to learn much more about the technical side of photography and given me the confidence to take risks. I have explored many areas of photography, aperture and depth of field, a wide range of shutter speeds, Photoshop techniques to create montages, improve portraits, and film photography experimenting with enlargements and multiple exposures. I have used other media in my photographic outcomes such as printing onto fabric and using mirrors, painting on photographs and creating installations. During my AS year I was awarded the ‘AS level photography award for progress and achievement’.
Once I learned where and how photography started, experimenting with film instantly fascinated me. I enjoy making pieces that the audience stare at in wonder and are able to value the photograph/installation. I believe using film is more challenging and the audience begin to appreciate the ease of digital photography. The overall achievement you get after making a film montage that looks real is rewarding. Jerry Uelsmann has inspired me because he challenged the ideas of photography and communicated with the audience by leaving them to interpret his images, which are the main points I look to achieve in my work. His photomontages are technically challenging and perfect; something that I would like to achieve.
I enjoy a creative approach to photography but I’ve also had experience of the discipline to work commercially. My commercial professional experience within the field of photography has included weddings, proms, and creative personal photos of children for families. Working independently, I have been able to gain skills such responsibility, working to deadlines and confidence to work with people I have never met.
I have taken part in cross-cultural creative projects through ‘performing arts and language exchanges’, alongside GCSE and A-Level German, allowing me to communicate with people from 4 countries through the process of art and language. The outcomes and themes of the projects were to challenge attitudes towards poverty and social exclusion within the different countries through collaborative discussions, research projects, artwork as well as the performing arts. Taking part in these exchanges and all the workshops available (audio/visual, journalism, drama, rock band, politics) has allowed me gain new skills, such as confidence, social and communication, team work, and experiencing new cultural experiences. From this life changing experience and incorporating skills from my A level subjects, such as psychology, I have created outcomes to reach people’s minds and question their identity, and given me ideas in my photographic practices.
Going to university will feed my hunger to learn and give me the opportunity to perfect my practical experience and skills and extend my current knowledge within the subject. I believe my passion, enthusiasm and creativity makes me an ideal candidate for the course. I am open and willing to try new ideas and look forward to embracing the challenge and experiences that I will face.