Updating 03|11|2010

Hey everyone. As you can instantly tell, even though Luke tried to teach me, I still can't seem to post into my section.

My bad.

Anyway, those who know, the ballerinas backfired on me. The whole identity protection act bollocks. While I was running around like a headless chicken groups 1-6 had a meeting on their exhibition so far. So I took the opportunity to run past new focus ideas on new opinions. List as goes

Tattooist

Ice Figure Skaters

Bodybuilders

Alternative Style Dancers.

To cut the story short, I went for the figure skaters, being the closest performers to the ballerinas. I also took some photos of my housemate Amie Maynard but haven't scanned them in. Initially they sucked, first years ruined the bellows on the Wista so I had huge light leaks, but they caused quite an interest in the group meeting. So in perfection is imperfection and my work is never perfect as it quite as well turned out. So I shouldn't be too perfect in my work because its not human of me. 

As for my framing, I have currently debated my frames, looking at Victorian style ones; which cost a lot. Simple solution, HIRE! But it turns out that they also cost around £90 + VAT individually, and I need 3! But these are ones that I found 5'-6' that would work sooooooooo well!!! Just need the monies!

 Ouh! So with the ideas of the figure skaters and luckily enough Gillingham have an Ice Bowl, and they have allowed me to meet and greet the figure skaters. Woop! So next week I should have some portraits! Win Win Win!! 

Charlotte Watts

Thank-you Luke! • 23|10|2010

I'm going to start with a thank-you to Mr Matthews for creating such a wonderful blogging spot for all you readers out there to see how hard we are working on our exhibition.

Isn't he such a hard worker! A round of applause for Luke.

To follow up on such great beginnings, I presume I should write a little bit about what my actual concept is and how I've been doing.

Basically, I am studying performers, who; through passion and drive, decided to pursue a career within dance, in particular ballet.

Considered one of the most mentally and physically challenging forms of dance, I intend to capture the passion of these ballerinas through the art of Photography. I intend to meet with a handful of the girls in personal time to listen to their stories; how they got into dance, their motivation, support and struggles. As the saying goes "there is no beauty without pain" and as I see "In the illusion of perfection there lies cracks and flaws'. Ballet is disciplined, controlled and choreographed to the finest detail from the steps to how the performers look on stage. Light feet, smooth transitions and graceful lifts but at what cost do these performers give to display such beauty? The ruthlessness and callous boundaries within this form of dance outlined by the teachers and masters of these arts reflect inside each dancer. It will be my duty, with my disciplined art to withdraw exactly that.

Pretty intense, no?

Ha! I feel personally not to draw short on my bargain for these photographs. If these girls have pushed so hard to achieve a finish so polished, I should stretch my art as far as I can also. It is argued "Photography is an easy art" ; I want to throw my left arm at every person who lives by that. It's not a copout form of art it is hard, it has discipline, it's science, maths, history, literature and geography combined into one (and technology). I will be shooting on a 'master' camera or for those in the know, large format/5x4/plate ... Wista or Horseman - haven't decided yet. I will be developing by hand; with chemicals, timers the whole shebang. I will also be printing by hand, in the darkroom on some pretty crazy sized paper (carefully selected paper) but I'm going to do it. Because I have passion and drive with it. Plus its a challenge and there is more personal success gained knowing you challenged yourself so much, that it scared the shit out of you in the beginning.

So yeah, I'm pushing myself and I suppose Im pushing my subjects, but without passion how can emotion be preached for it?

Currently; I have test shot with Arri Lighting, a multitude of gels and poly boards

Spent a silly amount of money on printing and shooting material. Highest so far is test paper Foma 532 II Nature 20 sheets £50 (GASP)

Also I've been concentrating on the techniques of my inspirational photographer and the fundamentals of how I want to shoot in my finals.

Any who, Kevin found an awesome Gallery space. KUDOS Kev!

And look out for personal cameos in Luke Matthew's series of prints - Thats myself, Kevin and maybe Katie.

Charlotte Watts