Week Six

This week has led me in a new direction of photographing hand working crafts people and their working environment. My reasoning for the change of direction is that the process in arranging and seeking the relevant permissions can become difficult and time consuming. Documenting local crafts people has been both rewarding and provided good images. It has achieved considerably more photographic sessions in which to experiment with techniques and lighting. My first challenge for this new idea, is to document a metal recycling plant in Shrewsbury. I was aware it is a family run business employing a small number of employees, who work surrounded by the recycled metal and recycling machinery. I hoped to achieve images similar to that of Tom Wood’s ‘Shipyard’ study. In these days of health and safety constraints I was fortunate to obtain the permission of the owner to document the plant and its workers.

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I chose a cloudy, overcast day to capture the mood of the works and feel the session went extremely well. I have captured exactly what I wanted, achieving a combination of background and portrait pictures of the employees. I utilised a tripod to experiment with focal point, lens height and to capture movement. My new focus on hands also produced some interesting work on employees tattoo inking’s. On reflection I am happy that I have altered my direction slightly. The change being from just purely craftspeople, to people who work with their hands. I am now researching the documenting of various companies and individuals including local mechanics, butchers and a fish mongers. I have selected these with the use of hands in mind and in the hope that I get a strong set of linked images.