Ffresh 2013

My experience of Ffresh was quite a bit different from what I was expecting it to be, when I first found out that we were expected to attend all 3 days, and the assorted presentations and lectures. Over the last few months, the work I'd started solo for my negotiated 1 studies had almost taken on a life of its own, with the inception of what is currently known as 'The Wrexham Film and Photography Collective', and the fact that it had developed into a  thriving organisation that was taking up virtually every day of the week - and I do mean 7 days a week. By the time we were informed of the definite dates, for two of the 3 days of the festival, I was booked up with work relating to the Collective. We had also been asked to run a stall, advertising the Collective, for the full 3 days of Ffresh, and day 1 - the only day I would be able to attend - would be, we knew, an incredibly busy day, manning that.

So, I spoke to Marisse  Mari, and explained the situation - she agreed it was a pity, but as she said, Ffresh was all about networking and developing industry skills and knowledge, and the two days I couldn't attend were all about those skills and knowledge, and equally, if not more, important.

So Ffresh for me was day 1 - manning the Collective stall and talking to literally dozens of students and guests about what the Collective was and what we hoped to do; Day 2 saw me in Llandudno, with a fellow Collective member, running a photography workshop for a group of 16/17 year old students, on behalf of Glyndwr University; And day 3 saw me out for the day, with my camera, documenting Destination Wrexham's field trip to the Blists Hill Victorian Village and other associated attractions at the Ironworks World Heritage site.

Day 1

Less than a week before Ffresh, Mike Corcoran, from the students Guild, approached the Collective and asked us to present a stall, to be sited in the main foyer of the Plas Coch Campus, for the full 3 days of Ffresh.  This was an excellent opportunity for us to advertise the work of the Collective, and let other students know about the group, and we were encouraged to take part.   The  six 'admin' members of the group went into organisational mode, as we - with very little time - set about organising the production of posters, flyers, a show reel to display the film projects we had been involved in, and a slide show displaying some of the images taken at some of the events the Collective had covered.  We also asked those of the group who were able, to bring in tiffs of some of their images, so we could print them out to display, alongside the posters, on the boards behind the stall.  Beckah Hornsey, one of the admin, also sorted out a rota so the stall would be continually manned throughout the 3 days by Collective members.

First job - posters. We decided to produce 4 in total - 2 advertising the Collective as a whole, and 2 advertising the photography workshop aspect that is beginning to develop - one portrait, and one landscape for each theme.  Grabbing the members who happened to be in uni on the Friday, we went into the studio, and I took a selection of images for the group shot.  I also drafted in my daughter, to pose for the workshop posters.  The images were edited that night, and sent off to Clarrie Anne Cooper, a graphic and web designer, who is part of the group, and who is responsible for designing our fabulous logo.  As well as the posters, after Holly Cooper (admin) and I had worked out the wording, Clarrie Anne was also going to design our flyers.

Here are the finished 4 posters, presented banner style

And the flyers.


Front

And back .

Huge thanks to Mike Corcoran who arranged printing for us.

We also gathered up a selection of images that I had taken of the Collective at work, mounted on foam board, to add to the display.

Over the weekend, I put together a slideshow of the photographic images, taken by Collective Members, of some of the events we have covered over the last 6 or 7 months . Thanks to local band, The Fabulous 'Heal The Last Stand', who kindly agreed to allow us to use some of their music as a soundtrack to the slideshow.

And Andy Argyle, (admin) put together some of our film work into a showreel.

On the Monday and Tuesday, we gathered in and printed to A3 size, a selection of images from the events - and we were good to go.


Wednesday morning, I dropped off the posters and so on at Plas Coch campus, before heading off to a hospital appointment - back by around 10am, Holly and Beckah had done a fabulous job of setting up the stall .

Beckah Hornsey at the Collective Stall

Thanks go to Colin Salisbury, who provided us with an imac to screen the show reel .

And people started to arrive - and I don't think we stopped all day!

We drew a lot of attention from students within the university - some had heard a little about us, others had no idea who we are, or what we are about, but the response from both was one of extreme interest and enthusiasm.  We passed on contact details and it looks like we will have several new and enthusiastic members as a result.

Interest wasn't restricted to the students.  At a near by stall, The Printers Inc, James and Nick, were also extremely intrigued by us, and what we were doing.  We have maintained contact with these guys, and it will be interesting to see what develops. 

During the day, we were also approached by a couple of independent internet TV channel hosting platforms - one, from Glyndwr TV, the other from WebWaterfalls - and again, discussions with these are on-going.

Stuart Cunningham, Academic Leader for Creative Industries, also spent quite a while with us.  Stewart Edwards, senior lecturer in Creative Media, and a person who has supported, encouraged and advised the Collective from the start, had spoken to Doctor Cunningham about the group, but I think until he saw the stall, and all the examples of the work we have undertaken, he hadn't fully realised just how much we did , and was taken aback by what we had to say.  We are eagerly looking forward to a hopefully soon to be arranged meeting with Stuart, where we hope that with his support, the Collective can grow and develop even further, within the university and the local community.

Other visitors included Guild representatives, Neal from Focus Wales, and several other people from organisations and groups who were either eager to explore working with the Collective, or keen to offer advice and support in one way or another - without exception, the feedback we received was 100% positive, and I think we surprised a lot of interested parties, who had no idea just how organised and developed the Collective is.

The day absolutely flew by, and there was little break from the interest and visitors. The evening finished with an encounter with Mike Peters, from The Alarm, there for the premier of Vinyl, who I was able to have a few words with - I'd met Mike many, many years before, in London, when the Alarm supported another band I was associated with.  He was - as ever - genuinely nice, and was kind enough to give us a point of contact - hopefully, at some stage, we will be able to organise for Collective Members to gain some work experience filming or photographing the Alarm, at one or some of their gigs.

Day 2

Photography Workshop, Llandudno.

A brief history - several weeks ago, I was approached by Stewart Edwards, and asked to help Colin Salisbury run a Photography Workshop, in Llangollen -  this had been organised as part of an Assembly backed scheme to encourage secondary aged children to look at further education in the arts and science.  Glyndwr had agreed to give workshops, in a variety of subjects, but unfortunately, the first one coincided with the assessment period for film and photography,  at Glyndwr, and none of the lecturers were able to attend - so Stewart had suggested that I would be able to to help, and with literally 3 days notice, Colin and I had managed to pull together enough material to deliver a two hour workshop, twice in one day.  I put together a slideshow, we took the workbook detailing the history and work covered by the Collective, Colin supplied a selection of books, and I spent an evening typing up basic worksheets that gave information on studio lighting, and which covered The Exposure Triangle and depth of field, and printed off 25 copies of each.  I also printed out a selection of my own images, that illustrated points covered in the worksheets.  The students involved were aged 13/14, and we would be having a group of 10 each time - in fact, we had 12 in the first group, and 14 in the second - with students from the first group also requesting permission to join us again for part of the second session, once they found out we had been able to organise going outside the venue, to work in natural light for a while.  It was an incredibly enjoyable day, the students were so enthusiastic and great fun to be around, and it was really satisfying to see them so interested in what we did.  By the end of the day, we were told that the Photography workshop had generated such a positive response, that they wanted us back the following day - which presented a problem, as I was already booked on a photo shoot elsewhere.  However, this demonstrates one of the very useful functions of The Collective - maybe I wasn't available - but it was relatively easy to organise for Andy Argyle to be able to take my place the next day.  Andy's group were in the 16/17 year old age bracket - and the response was again extremely positive.  So - I was asked to cover the next scheduled workshop, in Llandudno the following month.  Colin wasn't available, but Andy thankfully was, so we agreed, with pleasure.  Thanks to Colin who helped us organise the equipment we needed for the day, and Thank you to Andy from Techniquest, who transported us and the equipment to and from Llandudno.

Two days before the workshop, we got the information that on this occasion we would be working with 6th form photography students - but we were also told that instead of the TWO hour workshop we had given last time, we were to give a FOUR hour workshop, working with the same set of students throughout.  This was something of a shock, as it wasn't what we had planned for, but there seemed little else to do but hastily formulate a schedule that we hoped would allow us to deliver an interesting day to the group. 

Just after 7 a.m., I arrived at Techniquest and we loaded up the techniquest van with our equipment - half a dozen DSLR's, the Collective workbook, photographs, worksheets and a basic light set up.  Andy arrived, and 'Techniquest Andy', along with Sean, another member of the techniquest staff, loaded us into his car - and we were off. The venue was Llandudno Pavillion, and we had been allocated a large space within a cavernous lecture type hall within the building.  Bacon rolls had been supplied for us all, but sadly, no alternatives for non-meat eaters like myself - however, there was a good supply of excellent coffee, which I was very happy about.

Andy and I set up the equipment -

 

Then headed down to the main foyer to 'collect' our group.  By this stage, I think we were both a little nervous, as from talking to others giving workshops, very few, if any were delivering more than a two hour slot - and one or two expressed amazement that we were presenting a 4 hour session.  I think it brought home to us that perhaps this was going to be a little more difficult than we had considered !


However, too late to worry - we collected our group of six and headed to the area designated. 

The six were a little shy at first, but soon, as they became more and more interested and relaxed, their enthusiasm came through, and again, it was an incredibly enjoyable and satisfying experience.  Obviously, it was not permitted to take images of the students during the workshop - which is a shame, though understandable.  Most of this group had however, brought their own camera's - although they weren't all DSLR's, this at least meant that they could use their own memory cards for the practical tasks we had organised, so they were able to keep the images they had taken themselves.

We briefly went through DOF - but it was clear that the students had a really good understanding of this already, in terms of what it was if not how to achieve it manually,  so we swiftly moved on to explaining the exposure triangle, which would encompass them understanding how to use their camera with a lot more control  - none of the group were familiar with manually using their camera's, so this proved to be a great opportunity for them to start to understand the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and iso . To give them a practical illustration of this, we set them to 'balancing' a really fast shutter speed with F stop, and iso, to 'freeze' pictures of each other in motion - we demonstrated first with Poor Andy leaping up and down like a madman, much to the students amusement, whilst I captured him as though suspended in the air -

 This really appealed to the group, and in 3 groups of 2, they set about practising this - and they obviously loved it.  From this, we moved onto motion blur, slowing the shutter speed down, and asking them to adjust the f stop and iso to compensate - this proved even more entertaining for them, and they really seemed to enjoy this section - we had them leaping and spinning, and the girls were shaking there heads and whipping their hair around - great fun.  Just to add a bit more fun to this, we also spent a while getting them into zoom bursting - and again, this was a massive hit, and it let them continue to get used to understanding the exposure triangle, whilst also demonstrating how much better it is to be able to control the camera manually, rather than relying on 'auto' settings, which most of them had been used to doing.

Just befor lunch, we set them a 'challenge' - each student in the group was to take turns as the 'photographer', and take a group image of the other 5, stood in a line - BUT one person in the group line up was to appear in the image twice ! 

Initially, they seemed utterly confused by this, but gentle prompting, and they realised that they had actually learnt what they needed to know to accomplish this, already.  After each 'photographer' had taken their turn - eventually successful, in each case -  Andy or I changed the settings on the camera, so the next in line would have to work it out by themselves.  It was so satisfying to see these students really get to grips with and obviously start to really understand what we were trying to demonstrate - and gratifying that their response and comments clearly showed that they were thoroughly enjoying doing so.  They actually were reluctant to break for lunch !  We promised them that we would continue after, to make sure all got a go at being 'photographer'.

After lunch, Andy and I headed back 10 minutes early, to have a quick chat to formalise what we could do for the afternoon session - we had talked to them about how different locations, because of potential different light sources,  affected the manual settings, and they all wanted to try a session outdoors, to see how natural light impacted and we had managed to get consent for this - so much for having a chat - the whole group were sat there, early, eager to start again.

We continued with the 'challenge' started before lunch, and then, took the group outside to try and re-create what they had been doing all morning, but this time in Natural light - and they realised the difference it made.  Freezing cold on the sea front, so this was a short session - but effective, I think.

Again dividing the group into 3 groups, Andy took one group to use the light set up we had organised, whilst I sat and had an informal chat session, very much led by the questions the students had - we talked about the different career prospects that studying photography could potentially lead too - one student, having spent time going through the Collective work book really was keen on the idea of event or journalistic photography, another keen on sport.  Andy had brought a copy of the film show reel, and they clearly enjoyed that, again it prompted a lot of intelligent questions.  I took the last group over to the lights, and the session developed into how a photographer has to compose an image and direct a shoot when working in the studio with a model  - we talked about communication, helping the subject to relax, considering different angles and poses, and talked about helping to compose an image or direct a model in a way that captured the 'mood', and how that was as important as getting the lighting right.

It was a bit of a shock to realise that the time was up .  Feedback from the group seemed to be very positive - one commented that he had no idea just how much more he could do with his camera and he was really eager to continue to practise what we had done that day, all indicated that they felt they had learned a lot - and it had been fun.  All asked for the worksheets, and some had covered them in notes, taken as we talked.  All agreed it had really made them think about possible career opportunities, and several seemed really enthused by the idea of studying further.  In turn, we thanked them for a really enjoyable and interesting day.

We got back to Glyndwr at about 5.30 - 6pm - and straight to the stall.  Beckah and Holly reported another busy day, and again, had a list of potential opportunities and new contacts and information.  Headed home at around 8pm, to get the camera batteries charged up, for the next days' activities.

Day 3

Destination Wrexham


Steffan Jones-Hughes, Wrexham Arts Council Manager, had put my name forward to Joe Bickerton, of Wrexham Tourist Office, and told him about the work the Collective have done for the Arts Council and other organisations in the Wrexham area. Joe needed a photographer to come along, and document a trip organised by the Destination Wrexham Management Team, and after a phone conversation, I agreed to go along - not only could I do a job for the group, but I could also perhaps, as Joe said, let people know about the Collective, and there could well be ways that we could provide a service for the various people going on the trip.

Information what Destination Wrexham is, can be found HERE .

This trip had been organised primarily for local businesses around the recently designated World Heritage Site, around the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct .

It was to another World Heritage site, Ironbridge , and would include visits to several of the attractions within this area.  The idea was to let the group see how having a World Heritage Site can perhaps help to boost the local tourism industry, and in turn, help boost local businesses.

9.10a.m. saw me at Waterworlds car park, where I met Joe, and was introduced to several other people in the group, then it was onto the coach, for a couple more pick ups, then onto the first visit of the day, at Blists Hill, Victorian Town.

We were met by Paul Gossage, Director of Marketing and PR at Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, who supplied us with hot drinks - very welcome as the day was absolutely freezing - and he spent some 25 minutes talking to the group, explaining the history of the site, its current management, and how it benefits from World Heritage status.  The group were then able to ask some Questions before we headed into the Victorian town itself.  This is a fantastic attraction, incredibly well thought out - its gives you a real sense of the era it depicts, as well as a fun and educational insight into the local history.

The group gather in the entrance into the village.

Inside the Chemist shop

Old Brick and Tile Works factory - impossible to resist turning this sepia in post production!

In the town pub, not only a warm fire, but entertainment too.









Even though it was exceptionally cold, with flurries of snow falling, and even though it was a school day, there were a good number of visitors, which is a testament to how well the area is managed and the interest it obviously generates.  As I wandered, taking images, I spoke to several of the group - all were really committed to learning and putting knowledge gained to good use in their own area and businesses, and the sense of working for the community was very much there.  One of the aims of The Collective is to forge closer links within the local community, both for the group, and hopefully, for the university as a whole, so I found this aspect, and the attitude of mutual support, extremely interesting and useful.


After lunch, we again boarded the coach for our next stop - Coalport China Museum.

Here we were met by our guide, for this and the last visit of the day, John Brown.

One of the China Kilns

Inside a kiln

Pot throwing demo .













Again, the place is incredibly interesting, and well managed - and again, the enthusiasm and interest of the group shone through.

Last stop of the day was at Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron.

As with the previous two venue's, this is an interactive experience, and incredibly interesting. 

It was a real shame about the biting cold, which made it difficult to take as much time over this attraction as it deserved - however, again, it demonstrated excellent management and obviously provided a lot of food for thought, for the group.

 There was a brief group discussion - mercifully in a relatively warm classroom, which allowed us to defrost - before we boarded the coach for the trip home.

Throughout the day, I had spent time talking with various members of the group - as well as me gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of what they were hoping to achieve,  several showed interest in the idea of the Collective, and discussions also took place on how perhaps they could utilise us, as a group, and as individual businesses - as well as a great deal of advice freely given that gave me some serious food for thought too.  In terms of making contacts, and spreading information about the Collective, it was an incredibly useful and informative day - as well as an extremely enjoyable one.


Back at Wrexham, I headed to Glyndwr, to catch up on how the stall and the Collective had fared through the day.  A reported from the Leader had been down, taking images and interviewing Beckah and Holly about the group, and I was also asked to provide an email detailing how the Collective had started and grown, and what my hopes were for it - we have been told that the Leader intend to do a feature on us, which is great news, as the more word about us spreads, the more opportunities are likely to emerge and develop.

Whilst I didn't exactly spend the 3 days engaged in Ffresh in the way that was perhaps expected, I certainly felt that all the experiences were extremely valuable and useful, and I enjoyed it all immensely.  The contacts made on day one, and the amount of interest generated by our manning the stall, was invaluable.  The success of the workshop on the second day, helped to crystallize how we could develop this branch of the Collective, to the benefit of group members and the University, and on day 3, again the potential contacts and the networking opportunities combined with highlighting the many benefits of greater interaction with the local community.