Capture the Moment
Exhibition of Creative Photography for sale in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care
A large and enthusiastic audience packed the gallery of the Yorkshire Craft Centre for the official launch of Capture The Moment on Tuesday 23rd February. The event was introduced by HND Course Tutor, Andy Vaines, who explained, “This charity exhibition organised by our HND Photography students is an annual event, now in its ninth year, which has grown in scale and stature each year. Students continue to amaze Trevor Griffiths and myself with their ingenuity and commitment.”
Andy advised that the students’ task had encompassed so much more than photography; they had been responsible for curating and marketing their exhibition and crucially, attracting the sponsorship to make it happen. He thanked the generous sponsors who had donated goods and services ensuring that all the proceeds from the evening and ongoing sales of prints went direct to the charity. All the frames, display stands, raffle prizes, drinks and nibbles had been given in response to students approaching companies. This year the students surpassed all previous raffle prize donations by gathering a wealth of prizes, including a bed worth £2000!
The exhibition was then formally opened by Richard Wightman, Chair of the College Corporation, who welcomed everyone, including distinguished guests, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Naveeda Ikram and her son, Silham Shahzad. Richard disclosed that the decision for the exhibition to support Marie Curie this year was part of a College-wide initiative which began almost two years ago when our National Diploma in Fashion & Clothing created two colourful daffodil headdresses for collectors to wear. “This was the start of a relationship with at all levels in which staff and students have donated their time, skills and money in various projects to assist this much loved local charity.” He urged everyone to be generous, as Marie Curie needed an enormous amount of money to care for those who needed their help. Richard perfectly encapsulated the mission of the hospice and the dedication of their staff as well as the skill of our photographers in his perceptive phrase that Capture the Moment was about “celebrating the precious and rather fragile gift of life.”
Brenda Doyle, Community Fundraising Manager for Marie Curie in Bradford, Wharfedale and Craven, added “Some weeks ago I visited the students to discuss our work and get a taster of this exhibition. When I met them I appreciated their enthusiasm and commitment as well as their talent. These are fantastic photographs by any standards but their sale to help the hospice adds that extra dimension.”
You can read more about the work of Marie Curie and the College’s support here
A major challenge for each of our students had been deciding which images from a large number with artistic and technical merit that they had each taken, had the most commercial potential. So determined were they to do their very best for Marie Curie, that changes to selections continued throughout the process of curating and hanging. Choosing which (or how many – prints make perfect presents for a birthday or wedding later in the year!) to buy is the only dilemma for purchasers. Given the quality of the work for sale at such reasonable prices (prints are only £15 unframed or £25 framed) and the deserving nature of the cause, it was little wonder that business was brisk on the opening night, with over £1000 raised. If you are unable to visit the gallery during the exhibition run you don’t have to miss out on collecting a delightful piece of photographic art. Make your selection from the exhibition highlights below and then telephone Clare Lamkin on 01274 438945 or email c.lamkin@bradfordcollege.ac.uk. The final date to purchase prints is 26th March 2010.
Our photographers have certainly captured some absolute magic on camera, whether landscapes, portraits, animals, nature or still-life. We caught up with some of the gifted photographers to give you some insights into the inspirations and diverse experiences behind these fabulous pictures:
James Bairstow chose Rust, showing the remains of an architectural bracket surviving among modern buildings which he felt complimented modern interiors, plus two shots featuring a friend’s weimaraner, George. “He’s a real character and loves to go down the slides in the park and I shot lots of film of him doing this. Then a neighbour’s dog decided to join in and luckily I just got that priceless moment as they both contemplate the slide before it descended into absolute chaos at the bottom!” Mr Bone Head and Little One proved one of the talking points of the show.
Mark Bolton’s Gone Fishing was taken at the precise moment a young family friend caught his first ever fish after a six hour wait. Mark is a serving fireman who currently fits his HND classes around his 8 day shift pattern by using his holiday entitlement. He retires in two years after he has completed thirty years service and will then be able to spend a year to complete his BA (Hons) Photography degree before starting a new career as a photographer. The nature of his job which involves “confronting tragedy every day” influenced his selection of landscapes for his two other pictures as he enjoys the reflective escapism they offer the viewer seeking to unwind.
Another mature student reinventing himself is Robert Boardman, whose photographs offer a rare glimpse of Burma. “I was a joiner but had to give up as I became seriously ill with emphysema and could no longer work cutting MDF. I have travelled widely and scuba dived all over the world, always taking photographs as a hobby. I met Trevor Griffiths last year and he suggested I came on the course. I hope photography can become a new career. I am an intrepid traveller and my four Burma pictures show fascinating sights very few people ever get to see. I feel my age and life experience is a great advantage as a photographer and in raising sponsorship for events like this as I was able to use my contacts.”
Juliet Walker decided that kittens had popular appeal for two of her shots and visitors have marvelled at the textures on the tongue and paws on her shot Feline. “I used my sister’s kittens and spent a lot of time getting the lighting right, taking photographs again and again as I tried to use everything I had learnt on the course. I have wanted to do photography for a long time and this has been fantastic for me. I am relishing all the challenges.”
Music lover, Mark Parker, choose three atmospheric shots he had taken at gigs. I have been taking photographs of local bands for a couple of years but I chose well known people like The Zutons and my favourite band Sevendust as I thought their fans might want to buy them. I took Eddy when Adrian Edmondson showed up at a punk festival in Blackpool playing in a band called Bad Shepherds. I want to get into travel photography and I am hoping to take some interesting stuff when I go to Arizona this Easter.”
Colour was deciding factor for Lynsey Bareham. I wanted them to be saleable and felt something sunny is always inviting. My favourite shot, Lucky Landing, was actually taken last summer but with this exhibition in mind. I did the Art Foundation and on my gap year I had an early interview for the HND Photography course, where I learnt about the annual charity exhibition and saw previous work. I took the lady bird just as it landed on my mum’s head and I am really pleased with the textures of her blonde hair against the blue sky. It is not cropped but just as I took it.”
Michelle Corrie had a similar approach. “I wanted to be colourful to grab people’s attention. My favourite shot is Love In The Grass. I sat on the ground and picked daisies and experimented with shapes until I got the heart. I am really exited to help someone and something rather than just handing work in for my own benefit. I already have an HND in Fashion and began this course with the intention of specialising in fashion photography but now I am enjoying everything so much that I am looking much wider.”
Exhibition runs: Wednesday 24th February until Wednesday 3rd March
Gallery open from 10.30am - 4pm, Monday to Friday