2) Creative Interactions Module Introduction, Liz Banks - 29/1/18

On Monday we had our module introduction for our next project, Creative Interactions. I didn't take many notes as we had an informal briefing before Christmas, however you can see what notes I did take below.

Liz started off by showing us a video from Susan Meiselas, from which I found some interesting points. For instance she said in the video "It's a big distance to travel back to the lives of those within it (the photograph), to the life of the one who made it ... I hope it's connecting through me to them". I thought this related to what we have to do through this project, depict a new group of people within photography and connect the viewer to them through you making images. I like this way of thinking, and I think it really highlights the importance of photographers, because it allows people to learn about others and feel empathy towards them.

The rest of the lecture was just covering important questions to consider while undertaking the project which will help us produce work to the best of our ability. For instance thinking how may the people you're working with and the general public want to interact with your work? Liz wants us to think of our work outside the context of a gallery wall, and think of a more interesting way to exhibit it. This choice of exhibition may also strengthen the connection you are making between the people in your images and the viewers looking at your photography, so I want to think carefully about my choice of exhibition.

Another important point Liz made to us was how we need to immerse ourselves in this project, and the more we do, the more it will reflect in the images. We need to step down and step back, focusing more on our listening and empathy and collaboration with our subjects, as this can often be the most interesting part. Following on from this point, she talked about the significance of points of exchange. For example meeting our subjects for coffee, meals, giving them photos in return - we need to create an ongoing relationship.

Overall I found the lecture really good and I can't wait to start the project, and I'm definitely going to take Liz's tips into consideration to strengthen the relationship with my subjects as well as strengthening the quality and meaning of my photography.

#creativeinteractions