The Small Things in Swanage
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The Small Things in Swanage - Photoessay
It is a common misconception that a seaside port or fishing town is a constant hive of buzzing activity, organised hustle and constantly alive with movement. In fact isolation and loneliness are just as often seen as hustle and activity. My photo-essay explores this little known side of seaside towns, namely Swanage.The first decision I had to make was where to shoot. I chose Swanage as I went there frequently as a child to go fishing with my Dad so I knew the back alleys and quiet parts of Swanage well, meaning that I could spend more time getting the shots I needed and less fruitlessly searching the streets of an unfamiliar town.
I chose to take minimal kit in order to not waste time constantly switching between lenses, but also to be less intrusive as a photographer. I chose primarily to use my 50mm prime as I have found that this is a great lens for street photography as long as you know the dimension of your frame well. I have had this lens for a while now and I am very aware of its frames and also of its focal range. As a secondary lens I had a wide angle and a kit lens but I found I used neither of these frequently preferring to stick with the ease of use and quality of shot that the 50mm lens provided. I used the kit lens when I needed a looser frame but didn’t have the space to physically move there and I used the wide angle in shots that unfortunately didn’t make the final twelve.
Graveyard Shift
Document the dealings (or lack thereof) that the Station Enquiry Officers have with the public at Basingstoke Police Station. Focusing particularly on the members of the public that come to the station, documenting their emotions, attitude, body language and approach towards the Officers. I will need to consult Ofcom and University ethics and regulations to see if the standard release forms are compatible.
NOTE: Original plan of documenting the graveyard shift at Basingstoke Police Station cannot be undertaken, for many reasons. Talked to an SEO (Station Enquiry Officer) and he informed me that it is not practical as the members of the public may get (more) agitated at being filmed also standard release forms will not be enough as the members of the public may be inebriated and therefore not in the right mind to sign and fully understand what they are signing. Also they may have broken the law, complicating the matter.
The Fishermen
To document the fishermen at the pier of Swanage but also to explore the town focusing on the dock workers, the market, spontaneous street photography, the movement, the culture, the hustle and most importantly the people. I want to imbue my photoessay with questions. Who are these people? Why are they there? What are they doing? Are they happy? Angry? In a rush? Where are they rushing to? Questions create interest and interest creates meaning. I want the photos I take to be interpreted differently by each person that sees them. The main issue I am interested in connoting is the contrast between the movement and energy of one side of Swanage (the market and the dock workers mainly) and the peace, loneliness and intimacy of the side of the fishermen on the pier.
This seems a lot more feasible than the SEO Photoessay but potentially even more interesting.
