Jayne Kemp: Photographing the Unseen
As part of her Assignment 2 for Context and Narrative – ‘Photographing the Unseen’ OCA photography student Jayne Kemp explored the subject of dyslexia and her own experience with this learning difficulty.
“In the following assignment I have tried to use my images, text and an audio visual to create a lines narrative of how Dyslexia affects my life and study.
I have put together the following AV as I feel that accompanying ambient sound to my photographs express how I cannot read. Even the slightest sound can distract me from studying. I have to have complete silence in order to concentrate. As this AV contains do background noise in the recording headphones are recommended.
Ironically my journey into looking at my dyslexia has started not with images but with words. I am writing this and gaining a better understanding of what images I should use to accompany these words…
“It’s a beautiful piece of writing, but did you know you are dyslexic? I think you should investigate further”. This was the first time I have heard this word being applied to me. Really? Dyslexic? Maybe that’s why I feel the way I do…”
Watch Jayne’s video below and view her blog here for further explanation.
OCA Assignment two :: Photographing The Unseen Dyslexia from Jayne Kemp Photography on Vimeo.
Ambient sounds from www.freesound.org
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19 thoughts on “Jayne Kemp: Photographing the Unseen”
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Simple and thought provoking. Nicely put together as a video and I wonder if it would be less effective shown in other modes?
Thank you anomiepete. Yes for me my learning difficult is more than just a visual problem. Sound is a distraction and I felt this was the only way to really try and translate my feelings. Thank you for the kind comments.
This flows very well to me. The images mainly speak for themselves and do give a sense of how you describe the experience of dyslexia from the inside. It’s a good partner for the PDF you created (seen on your blog) where you use more words.Congratulations Jayne on achieving such a creative response to the brief of the Assignment.
Thank you Catherine. Yes I think it made the project fuller without the AV I don’t think I could have express myself enough with just the images. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Well done, issue based work that comes out of personal experience has additional resonance. A very effective use of the extra dimension that sound provides enhances that.
Thank you Clive. It certainly worked for me when sound was added. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
The sound is working really well for me and so is the transition and format to put the images into focus. I am very interested in the role of writing for my own work, so this is thought-provoking. Many thanks!
Thank you gesa. After this project I started looking at Anna Fox’s work. Her AV on The Village is interesting where she used ambient sound recording. I was also very much inspired by Soundscapes at The National Gallery -review here if you missed it- https://ocacandnjaynekemp.wordpress.com/reviews/ss/
it’s incredible the difference sound makes to images, it really gives them that extra depth. Thanks for commenting.
Excelent. I am dyslexic and I have today helped my dyslexic son fill in his ucas application form. The stress level in the house was offf the scale!
Normally before I post i proof read about ten times but mabe not to this.
Thank you for your comments starrybird. Yes, I know the feeling. Official forms are a nightmare for me and the slightest thing starts to put me off. Still I think, inbthe end we are tougher for it. Good luck 😉
Hi Jayne,
This is so amazing, watching the video is really moving and humbling and creates a perspective that an individual who isn’t dyslexic ( I’am not but my nephew is) might recognise on a surface level but might never fully appreciate and this work really provides an interpretation and experience of that gap. I love the soundtrack idea. I went on the recent study visit to Fiona Banner’s exhibition at the IKON in Birmingham and there was a similar situation where there was a slide show with backing sounds and I love the combination, if you get it right which you both do! I’m just about to start the C & N module so look forward to following you! All the best, Allan
Thank you allanmarkoneill. It’s great to hear other peoples thoughts on the AV and assignment. Sorry for the delayed message but I do not seem to get notifications when someone comments. I will certainly look at Fiona Banner’s work it sounds interesting. Also Anna Fox’s work The Village http://www.annafox.co.uk/work/the-village/ is interesting although I haven’t managed to find the full AV. I found out about her work after I made my assignment and felt encouraged by her use of ambient sound. It really creates that extra dimension. Good luck with your work and definiety go for C&N it is really interesting. Thanks Jayne
This is a great piece of work, and it’s great to see such an effective and measured audio visual piece. Well done indeed – looking forward to seeing more!
Thank you Jesse. Again sorry for the delay I do not receive notifications for people commenting. Lots more up my sleeve but continually trying mostly failing! Good luck to you too!
A terrific piece of work it really makes you think. I like the use of minimal sound, it reminds me of the segment in the movie The Belier Family when sound is removed and the sensation of being deaf is startling. With your work the repeated lines and blurred titles make me ponder what it would be like to be dyslexic especially as crisp organised letters is something I take for granted. I like how the lines of words create patterns across the screen with the sections that are blurred creating intrigue, like a puzzle that needs to be solved. I have been working with text in my paintings so your work is also very interesting in that respect. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Rebecca Moore,
Thank you for your comments. it’s been truly an experience to have other peoples ideas and interpretations of my work. You make some really interesting comments and it is great to have it from another point of view as well. I will certainly bear in mind everyone’s words and take it forward in my work-Thanks you 🙂
Beautifully and touchingly done!
Thank you Kev.
I really love this, I am dyslexic and it captured exactly how I feel