“It would be great if the young people were able to produce some images for us as part of The Beyond Measure Commission if possible, and if they are interested.
And so a brief was developed. Collaborators were asked to produce images focused on texture, pattern and colour. Ideally close ups and extreme close ups. ”Things to look out for would be...grass, wildflowers, the towpath, fences, gates, stones, walls, lock gates, reflections, water etc”
This collaborative approach had been born out of our Reflections Course and the images Parise had taken.
“We Are Here” produced by Yvonne Roberts in collaboration with Parise.
I rang Mark . Lockdown was preventing him working and he would try to contact Parise but it could be difficult – next try. I rung Nicola of Sponge Tree. As part of our IGNITE programme she was working with Cactus Crew – a group of Inspiring and Enterprising young people. Oliver had created an exhibition of photographs along the canal. He was interested in photography but again lockdown restrictions made it difficult. She forwarded some of his images over for Yvonne to consider.
Images by Oliver
This is all great, but what about the brief? – I sent out a plea for help to our Reflections Course trainees. I did not hold out much hope as when I had asked about their interests, photography was not amongst them. Jack responded straight away. He was struggling with lockdown. He was Home Educated but The Home Education Network was struggling because all their activities were in lockdown. No problem - “I go out on my bike for exercise and I love the canal. I can take some photographs”
Images by Jack
I felt like I needed a fall-back position. I take photographs…so I will take some.
I had the brief; I had seen Yvonne at work, but I was still unsure. I set off with my wife, Maureen, for our “permitted exercise” – she enjoys walking on the towpath rather than being on a boat – chance to involve her in my work and get some brownie points. WRONG – we spent an hour on the canal, walked no more than 20 metres and she sheltered under a bridge because of the torrential rain. Me however I had some completely different photographs. I was looking closely at the water, at the ironmongery, at the colours. Seeing things that I had looked at before but seeing them in a completely different way.
Images by Trevor
We set off back home but decided to take a detour by the Guillotine bridge. It is a backwater. It is in an industrial wasteland. Not usually a place to go to but merely to pass through. Again a 20-metre walk taking over an hour. But… I looked beyond the decay. I saw the richness of Heritage -the workmanship, the wildlife, the “weeds”. I saw how everyday objects “separated” the background and how they could be used as a frame for photographs. But…. Maureen started seeing the colours in the reflections of the canal created by everyday objects. The pegs on the washing line of a constant cruisers boat, the peeling paintwork on the old mills creating textures and patterns, the pride displayed through the bridge due to its well maintained paintwork, the highlighting of its date of manufacture, the engineering ingenuity of wheels and chains. She directed my view.
Images by Trevor
I enjoyed taking photographs from a different perspective – it helped me understand what Yvonne had tried to explain earlier in the project. It was however a fall back I did not need. Jack forwarded some of his images through via Peter. I could not resist looking at them before passing them onto Yvonne. I was totally impressed but I’m no expert. I let Peter give him my feedback but warned him that Yvonne was the professional – so perhaps more critical but more meaningful. Jack responded through Peter:
“Awesome – I’m glad that Trevor likes them. This helps me have an even better understanding of John Muir project. Neglect or decay looks artistic in a way, it is symbolic as you can get a sense of how old some objects look and it helps get a better understanding of its history and the environments history”
The moment of truth -feedback from Yvonne to Jack:
“Thank you so much for the photographs you have captured and sent for inclusion in the "Beyond Measure" Commission. You have captured exactly what I asked for in the brief, which is perfect, meaning they will work really well for this commission.
I particularly like the images you took around the locks - the peeling paintwork, rain droplets, rust, ridges and mechanics. All of which will be great for textures.
The images of the cobbled path work well - I love how you have filled the frame with the path, making it a great close up image, and the angles are great too.
I like the creative way you have captured the chains. These can be hard to photograph - so well done. They also link into a potential future project.
I also love your photos of the flowers, especially the really close up shots. The yellow rose in particular has given me an idea of a potential new series of work which could explore the blossoming canal environment....
So overall, great work...you have fulfilled the brief, captured some interesting creative shots and inspired more potential work. Awesome!”
I got some images like that so I think I will copy it to put on my CV!!!!!!
The hard work is done – it’s just down to Yvonne now. – Let’s see what she can make out of the images.
I however had learned so much. The project isn’t just for young people – learning isn’t restricted to age.
I asked Jack to provide an image for the blog.
Image by Jack