28) Flash Shoot #3 - Found in Translation - Weston Super Mare, Shawn Sobers - 6/11/17

'The unconscious obsession that we photographers have is that wherever we go we want to find the theme that we carry inside ourselves' - Graciela Iturbide.

For this flash shoot we had to identify our core interest in our current project idea, and shoot a complete alternative version of the project in Weston. The way I went about this task was direct translation, taking it to a different place and exploring my project in a new geographic location. This allowed us to find new territories and relate our idea to a new but still relevant context. So I decided to just take photos of what makes me happy in Weston, and I shot the images on my 35mm point and shoot.

Contact sheet:

Final 10 images:

I thought this image related to my idea of happiness due to the smiley faces which can be seen on the turnstiles as you walk onto the pier. I love the bright colours of them, giving a fun feel to the image.

I took a photo of these underwear dispensers because this is not a sight you'd usually see around Bristol, yet it feels more acceptable in a seaside town. I really like the rhymes on the machines and the whole concept of the product just made me laugh, so I've included this in th happiness idea.

I found this sight quite heartwarming as it depicts a mother (i assume) playing on the 2p machines with her daughter (i assume). It reminded me that family make me happy, so I wanted to capture this moment. I feel some of my best happiness photos were found in the arcade, which generally is seen to be quite a happy and fun place to go.

When first looking at this image most would assume it's just a landscape shot, however I'm more interested in the McDonalds sign and restaurant depicted in the image. I love McDonalds and it makes me happy, so I had to take a photo here.

Declarations of love also make me happy, and this can be seen in the image above with this couple holding hands. I'm a bit annoyed the image is out of focus, however when taking spontaneous shots like this you're bound to get some movement and out of focus parts. It highlights I was taking it on the move, and that the couple were moving so I'm pleased I managed to freeze this moment in time.

When browsing in some charity shops in Weston I came across this Stevie Wonder vinyl titled 'Overjoyed'. I thought this really related to my subject of happiness, and music itself makes me happy. I'm annoyed with the exposure of the image, but again I think it indicates the spontaneity in my photos and it fits in the style of using a small point and shoot.

When walking on the beach in Weston I found the sun was really in my eyes, but thankfully we found some sunglasses on the beach. I got someone to take a photo of me wearing them, because I was happy that the sun was finally out of my eyes.

Here's another photo from when we were on the Pier at Weston, picturing Christina laughing. I love seeing photos of people being happy because it makes me happy. I love how her laugh has been frozen in this image, and I think it makes you smile when looking at the image and I really like the effect of this.

Here's another smiley face I found in Weston, which I feel is the epitome of happiness so displays my idea quite well.

This final image displays some of the tickets Jack won when playing some games on the pier which I think displays happiness, especially since he used them to get a prize.

Overall I really enjoyed the trip to Weston and it really helped me get shooting my idea more, and I think this was down to being in a different environment. I sometimes find I can't think of things to shoot or I just find Bristol a bit uninspiring if you see the same things everyday, so the trip to Weston gave me a fresh environment to look at and got my ideas flowing again. I think some of the images might also potentially be used in my final outcome, which is a zine.

#flashshoot #obsessions #photoshoot