Over the past few days, I have spent my time in Pontins in Prestatyn at a Christian bible study week. Each morning has been filled with seminars on various topics with the main meet focusing on Nehemiah. There were also talks about studying an art subject whilst being a Christian. Some may wonder what the difficulty is. Well, it can be hard being a Christian on an art course when some would say inappropriate content is discussed and reviewed.
An example is there was a girl on my course who began her final major project looking bondage in the background of her image of a young girl tied up was across. This cross was supposed to symbolise the innocence of the girl. I personally wasn't a fan of the work a reason being the way she had used the cross within her work. For it symbolises much more than innocence but forgiveness for our sins. What can you say in that situation though? I decided to stay quiet and avoid work as much as possible.
Photographer Kieran Dodds came and discussed his work on the last day. I thought he might have touched on being a photographer and how he can use his skills to glorify God a bit more than he did. But I still enjoyed hearing all about his experiences and his work.
Dodds is a Scottish born photographer who studied Zoology at University.
At the end of his talk, there was a Q&A session which I thought I would share with you.
How do we preserve photographs?
Through prints
Back up disks and hard drives
Archive digitally but don't forget the physical copies
On Shooting Film
Dodds said
"Whilst film can be expensive it can be nice as it slows you down and makes you think and reflect on what you are photographing."
How do we preserve photographs?
Through prints
Back up disks and hard drives
Archive digitally but don't forget the physical copies
On Shooting Film
Dodds said
"Whilst film can be expensive it can be nice as it slows you down and makes you think and reflect on what you are photographing."
To what extent can a photographer photograph the everyday and mundane and still point to God?
"It conveys much more of reality. God is so good because He is interested in everyday stuff."
If you are photographing everyday movements. How do you not interfere with the subject in order to preserve those moments?
"Long time photo essays the longer you are there the fewer people notice. Allow them to become bored with you. To the point, they don't notice you. But also get to know the person.
On the whole, the population having cameras and phones.
"Everyone carries around at least one camera. Photography could be said to be a very democratic art form. It is all about producing meaningful work above that.
If our photographs don't convey meaning we need to work harder. Produce something with depth and ensure this depth communicates with others.
"It conveys much more of reality. God is so good because He is interested in everyday stuff."
If you are photographing everyday movements. How do you not interfere with the subject in order to preserve those moments?
"Long time photo essays the longer you are there the fewer people notice. Allow them to become bored with you. To the point, they don't notice you. But also get to know the person.
On the whole, the population having cameras and phones.
"Everyone carries around at least one camera. Photography could be said to be a very democratic art form. It is all about producing meaningful work above that.
If our photographs don't convey meaning we need to work harder. Produce something with depth and ensure this depth communicates with others.
You can see his work here
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