Progression Material

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Gap year

I have often thought of taking a gap year and have in the end turned the thought of a gap year into a target. I have decided that I will take a gap year between my Degree and Masters course as this will allow me to produce a brilliant body of work to use as my Portfolio to gain my self a position on this course (MA) and give me an idea of which area I wish to specialize in. The Place I wish to travel to when I embark on my gap year must involve species of animals that will be interesting to write about such as a recent decline or increase of population and the reasons behind them. The countries that interest me most of all are Scotland, Canada, Russia and areas of Scandinavia, The reason for this is due to the animal species are the ones I have studied most of all and I will enjoy writing about them using the knowledge I have already obtained from working in zoo’s and the animal course I completed in college before PCA. http://www.photosafaris.com/photography-trips-2014/yellowstone-photo-tour/  I liked the sound of this tour I found online though I wont be going in 2014 Im sure there would be another by the same company by the time I complete my Degree, Although I may end up doing the trip my own way so I stay for the year, to do this I will have to find employment which around yellow stone would be in the area of logging tourism or game keeping. I have also got a soft spot for Scotland as I was brought up there this area due to how close, the language and currency it will be an easy place to start my portfolio, Although people may look at it as being a boring gap year I reckon it will be productive because of the situation of Scotland's wildlife and the awesome landscapes I believe it will bring some brilliant photojournalism ideas and allow me to be creative in my writing, also with Scotland I reckon I could find employment to fund my projects a lot easier than if I where in a foreign speaking country.

OTHER COURSES I HAVE LOOKED INTO 

FALMOUTH UNIVERCITY

I looked at Falmouth Uni and was impressed at the stature of their quest lecturers and the variety of photographic courses such as this one that really apealed to me.

Marine and Natural History (BA Hons) to me seemed like a great opportunity with only a 300 requirement in UCAS points which I hope to achieve this nearly changed my mind, but due to the lack of equipment lack of student to tutor time and location of this college I decided to go against the idea though I may still attend the opening day on 24th of April. 

Plymouth College of Art

This is where I have decided to go, not only because of the location and the good student - tutor time but also because of the amount of resorces that will be availible to me and the amount I have learnt and enjoyed the past two years here. 






PERSONAL STATEMENT

Sometimes, I wonder if I view the world from a different perspective, almost as if I am constantly analyzing scenes, people and nature, as if I am looking through a lens.  Since the age of fifteen, when I took up the old Canon I inherited from my Grandfather, I have been thirsty for photographic knowledge.  The excitement that I feel when I capture a passing moment, creating permanent history with the use of light and composition excels that of any other experiences I have come across.  Since studying the BTEC Extended Diploma in Photography, I have obtained skills that I will be able to transfer to BA Photography such as studio lighting, the use and development of 35mm SLR and DSLR camera, together with medium format cameras.  Photoshop is my strong point, as are analytical, narrative and presentational skills.  All in all, I am a confident person who lives to create images that provoke both positive and negative emotions. I am able to adapt to projects and complete my work to a high standard and on time, something in which I take great pride.  In class, I am a keen contributor to debates and love the benefits gained from peer group discussions.

As I move towards the completion of my course, my future direction has become abundantly clear.  I keep a journal at home in which I record environmental projects that I very much want to undertake.  The two genres of photography that I am most interested in are environmental photojournalism and wildlife photography due to my obsession with nature.  I have past experience of working for Devon Wildlife Trust as a fund-raiser and for Dartmoor Zoological Park as a trainee keeper.  This has fuelled a fire within me to help expel the destruction and misuse if the phenomenal world we share with extraordinary creatures, by way of broadcasting the issues to people who are ignorant of such major concerns.  I believe that Sebastiao Salgado will prove to be a massive influence on my own future work.  Salgado’s nature of work in which he shows less developed nations and workers’ lives appeals to me greatly, as well as the tonal ranges he manages to achieve in his work.  This is what I strive to accomplish in my own work.  Although Rebecca Litchfield is extremely different to Salgado she also commands my utmost respect and is my other main inspiration so far due to her amazing location choices and use of Photoshop skills.

This brings me back to my overwhelming desire to develop my own photographic practice and to also develop my skills in conceptualizing and contextualizing my work in order that I can bring my planned projects to fruition.

I very much hope that I will be successful in gaining a place in the BA (Hons) Photography at Plymouth College of Art.