52 weeks of OCA in The Big Issue in the North
That’s a whole year, during which OCA students have been submitting their work to The Big Issue in the North (BITN).
Ben Robinson was the first student contributing to the partnership in 2011. His photograph of Sheffield-based singer-songwriter Gibson set the high standards that subsequent submissions have upheld. Ben, who produced the images while working on an assignment for the Level 1 course Digital Photography Practice, had originally been asked by his friend to take some photographs of him for an album cover. By combining OCA study work with a real-life assignment, Ben developed a portfolio of images which were strong enough to capture the attention of the BITN editor.
A whole year of photography in the BITN saw OCA students focusing on an eclectic range of topics, from the royal wedding to urban regeneration to the World Gurning Championships. OCA students were there capturing their vision of the world with their cameras.
52 weeks after Ben’s image was published, OCA student Keith Greenough renews the OCA/BITN partnership with a captivating self-portrait project. Informed by a documentary tradition of portraiture, Keith’s compelling work is technically and conceptually accomplished. Kevin Gopal, the editor of the BITN, emphatically defined Keith’s portfolio as “a cracker”. Economy of words works well in editorial; that’s the kind of impression that any professional photographer always hopes to make.
You can download tear sheets of the 52 pages of the BITN with photographs taken by OCA students from the oca-student site. More than 40 students have contributed to the partnership so far. If you are inspired by their work and would like to take part you can upload your photographs to OCA’s Flickr group; we are now selecting work directly from the group. You can also contact Elizabeth Underwood for more details.
Well done you! You know how much this project and your recent blogs have helped me uderstand the concept! You deserve this recognition.
Okay—I meant understand—and there is no way to edit! Also meant to add that I have commented on Keith’s work and how [I think} it is helping me on my blog—if you want to read it Keith.
Definitely well-earned Keith and a good promo for Ironman as well. Your series, and recent experiments, have won me over re the deadpan style.
Thanks very much Vicki and Catherine for your support….