This is an archive of the NMS website
Salt of the Earth Schools Photography Workshop and
Exhibition
During November 2009, 36 Higher Art & Design students
from six secondary schools visited the National Museum of
Scotland to take part in a portrait photography workshop.
Based on Craig Mackay’s Salt of the Earth exhibition, the
workshop was held in collaboration with Stills: Scotland’s Centre
for Photography and run by professional photographer Leanora Olmi.
The workshop was designed to contribute to the expressive aspect of
the students’ Art & Design portfolios and also successfully
demonstrated the interesting ways in which the museum building
itself can be used by students.
Preparing for the photo shoot
Prior to the workshop, students were provided with examples of
portraits by past and current photographers. This allowed them to
examine the idea of the portrait and consider their perception of
what a portrait is and can be.
'Dimensions' by Jonathan Tighe, Firrhill High
School.
The workshop
The workshop itself was then split into two sessions; the first
spent in the Museum of Scotland, the second at Stills Gallery.
During the first session, students began by exploring the Salt of
the Earth exhibition and discussing some of the ideas behind
portraits. They also discussed the options open to them as a
photographer and how lighting, expression, pose, background and
props can help them express what they want to say about their
sitter.
Following this lead in, Leanora provided the students with a
technical introduction to the Single Lens Reflex cameras being
used, explaining aperture and shutter speed and showing them how to
work the tripods, lighting equipment and light meters. For many
students, it was their first experience using a non-digital camera
and shooting their images in black and white. Because, unlike in
digital photography, the images cannot be viewed instantly and
re-shot if needed, each student was only allowed six frames to
work with to ensure that they considered all the elements of their
portrait before capturing the image.
The shoot
For the shoot itself, the students worked in pairs in locations
throughout the Museum of Scotland, taking photographs of their
partner. Taking their friend’s personality as the basis for the
portrait, the photographer had to direct all aspects of the shoot,
including selecting the location, the use of props and costume, the
pose and expression they wished their model to strike as well as
lighting, composition and framing.
Visitors to the museum that week were treated to some
interesting scenarios as students, dressed in some weird and
wonderful costumes, props and make-up, crouched in alcoves, lay in
stairwells, strolled in and out of a red telephone box and danced
outside the glass elevators!
Developing the photographs
The second session of the workshop took place the following
week. Working in a Dark Room was a new experience for almost all of
the pupils and for this reason, the session began with a health and
safety tour to highlight the care needed when working with dark
room chemicals and equipment. The students then watched a
demonstration by Leanora which included use of the negative
carrier, enlarger, apertures, paper, timer and chemicals before
working in pairs to print test strips and finally their selected
image from the previous weeks shoot. Finally, the students could
spend a short time correcting their prints and each left with a
10x8” print of their image.
The exhibition
Following the workshop, students, their teachers and family and
friends attended an exhibition of their work in the Museum of
Scotland’s Bute Room. This provided a perfect opportunity to
celebrate the work of these talented young people as well as a
chance for them to compare and critique their work.
Click on the images below to see the photographs in full.
The workshop and exhibition received extremely positive
feedback, with all of the students expressing a desire to take part
in similar events in the future. Many are using their photographs
as part of their portfolios for university and Art School
application in subjects from Fine Art to Interior Design and we
wish them all the best in their chosen career paths.
You can see a slideshow of the final
photos here.