A Fashion for Photography

I took part in the Someone Once Told Me project

After years as the poor relation to painting, photography is getting the recognition it deserves as an art form. And one of the best things about this fashion for photography is that, by its very nature, it’s truly accessible to everyone: digital technology and the internet mean that anyone can pick up a decent camera and share their snaps. But it doesn’t stop there: the medium of photography is being used to create projects, communities, events, even corporate training, enabling us to take snapshots of our experience and truly be a part of the contemporary creative movement.

Someone Once Told Me
They say that a picture tells a thousand words: this innovative photography project captures anecdotes, advice, messages, scoldings, expressions or jokes that someone once told ( or emailed, or texted ) us.
Someone Once Told Me is the brainchild of journalist and photographer Mario Cacciottolo, who came up with the idea by accident:
“ I was emailing a friend and she wrote something, then I suddenly had a vision of her holding up a board, with part of her message written on it.”
The idea formed very quickly into Someone Once Told Me, and the website launched in September 2007.
Mario is always found with his A4 pad and camera,  and photographs anyone – some by appointment, some randomly -  who wants to take part. The only criteria for getting involved is that you write down your “ Someone Once Told Me ‘ on the pad, and are then photographed, in black and white, holding up the message.
And Mario doesn’t want to be the only one doing the pics : anyone can take snaps and send to him to be part of the project.
Each day a new picture is published on the website; there’s even a facebook application so you can add  images to your profile page.
The photographs chronicle the things people have heard in their lives, and, taken as a whole, are a comment on cultures and social groups as well as individuals.
“ I want to take this around the world, and have an inter-active exhibition,” says Mario, “ The plan is to go to the West Bank soon. The beauty of this is that I can go anywhere, and the things people say for their “someone once told me” are a reflection on their experience, and our own human experience.”
Open took part ( see pic)  and spent ages thinking of their Someone Once Told Me.
In the end, I plumped for “ Look in the Wings,” which is something I was told aged 10 by a drama teacher.
She advised me, when looking at a play, to observe and take note of the actors at the side, close to the wings and away from the main action, who often hold the key to the plot even though they aren’t saying very much.
Her advice has stayed with me, and has proved very useful outside theatre visits, too.
www.someoneoncetoldme.com

Shoot Experience
Brainchild of uber-creative photographer/songwriter Brett Jefferson Stott, the Shoot events have been running since 2006 and are designed to promote a fusion of art, technology and the community. The aim of the game is to form a team, solve a set of given themed clues – just like a treasure hunt -  about an area interpreted through photography, and above all to empower groups of people to think creatively for a day. There are even prizes to be had.
At the end of a Shoot Experience the group see each others’ work, offer constructive comments and the photographs are exhibited,  either in a gallery or online.
Shoot Experience has partnerships with the Tate Modern, Tate Liverpool and with charity Plan UK for Shoot Nations, a photography competition  for young people around the world. This year’s challenge is Climate change, and asks young people to submit three photographs to show how their world is changing.
The next event is Saturday 12th July for the Urban Street Hunt, in partnership with the South Bank Centre.
Coming up are Shoot Shoreditch, Shoot Spitafields and Shoot Liverpool. Tickets must be bought in advance… see website for details. See Review
www.shootexperience.com

Picture This
Picture This is part of the Channel 4 website, and began with the TV show of the same name in which six emerging photographers  were set photographic assignments and then assessed by a panel of judges including Proud Galleries owner Alex Proud and Photographers Gallery director Brett Rogers. The overall winner, Lizz Gordon, had her work showcased at the Baltic Gallery, Gateshead.
Now, the website – in partnership with Flickr, so you need an account to join -  is a ‘friendly place to improve your photography’  the whole idea  being to create a community that inspires, shares knowledge and helps you produce better and better work.
The site sets a weekly project, you interpret the brief, upload your best shot and the community gives feedback and comments, with some snaps getting a professional critique.
www.picturethis.channel4.com


Jpeg Magazine
This US based project claims to be about “ imagemaking without attitude” and unlike lots of ‘techie’ photography communities that talk about the equipment, Jpeg is all about the ‘moment.’
The real USP for this community, though, is that it’s not just about photo sharing, there’s a good chance of your photograph appearing in Jpeg photography magazine, which is published six times a year.
It works like this: the magazine sets themes, and you submit your pics online that fit into the topic. When a theme is scheduled to be included in the mag, a voting box appears next to your pic. The images with the most votes from the Jpeg community have a better chance of making it into the magazine, but the editors have the final say-so.
Then, if you make the cut not only do you see your work in print but you bag a free year subscription to the magazine ( worth $24.99 ) along with $100.
www.jpegmag.com

Twilight Photography Trail
There are many guided photography walks and events, and this one, as part of the In Transit programme of artist-led walks, talks and events  in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea looks like being a winner.
Starting at Kensal Rise Cemetery, you will be led on a walk around the borough and encouraged to observe and photograph how the architecture, nature and public spaces alter when bathed in the magical twilight glow.
Takes place on July 24th, cameras not provided.
www.rbkc.gov.uk

Loma-Ann Marks

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