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People aware? - The Open College of the Arts

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People aware?


A slide show from level 3 photography student Keith Greenough to liven up a dark November day. Entitled Urban Artists Version 2 Keith says: ‘The images focus on the gaze of the artist and highlight their level of absorption in their work. All the artists had agreed that I could make a portrait of them. Despite this they appear not to acknowledge my presence as the photographer.’

peopleaware

Posted by author: Genevieve Sioka

16 thoughts on “People aware?

  • Really wonderful stuff Keith. I guess you must have had to spend considerable time with each artist to make sufficient images for a selection and to allow them time to become so absorbed in their own work to become so unaware of you? You never seem to tire of these marathon sessions and travel.

    • HI Eddie…these folks were very focused. With some I spent maybe 1/2 hour with others just a few minutes. I started each session by having a chat to them about their work and went from there. I really enjoyed working with these guys, one of whom is my nephew.

  • An interesting square format that really helps focus the viewers attention without the (expected from me for this format) static nature – plus the last slide of the work outcomes offers a great ending.

  • Keith, this is wonderful, and it makes me miss city life (just a bit). I didn’t read your introductory comments before watching and what I most noticed was the absorption of each artist in their work. I would imagine that they had some peripheral awareness of you but the sense of their attention to their work is very strong. Yet you have also made each image an individual portrait and an individual moment in their own work. I’m not a photographer so don’t have much insight into everything you have to do to get these results, but that doesn’t matter. Congratulations, lovely stuff. Paul G.

  • I have also viewed Keith’s Follow ur Dreams!! version’s 1&2, also Grove Farm memories. The man is Brilliant, and so is this.

  • Keith, thanks for sharing this. I found it really interesting, particularly as I will advance to P&P in the not too distant future. I find that I am drawn to looking at images containing people far more than any other, yet I have this enormous difficulty in making such images. Contrary to Yiann I found the music a distraction and turned it off for my 2nd and 3rd viewing. Tx again

  • Thanks for sharing, it’s great work. I’m currently just starting out on Documentary and thinking about how I approach my first assignment – this unaware awareness has given me pause for thought. Regardless of the artists lack of direct engagement with your camera, I was completely engaged by the artist and drawn into their work.

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