Year 12 Photography students spent the afternoon at Sunderland University visiting the Northern Centre of Photography as part of their art enrichment. This trip included a tour of the Centre’s industry standard facilities, and a studio portrait workshop.
Upon arrival, students were welcomed by senior lecturer Craig Ames and jumped straight into a dynamic studio portrait workshop, working in four teams across a range of studio lighting setups. Students had the opportunity to experience different roles both behind and in front of the camera, such as photographer, model, assistant and stylist, gaining a more practical understanding of how professional photoshoots operate. Throughout the workshop they got hands-on experience working with Nikon DSLR cameras and high-end tethered shooting using their impressive Phase One medium format digital cameras and Capture One software.
Supported by lecturing and senior technician staff at each studio, photographers gratefully took on their wealth of advice and guidance whilst shooting to help improve their technical skills and aid in the visual communication of their ideas. Staff praised the students for their preparedness for the workshop, with students bringing along an array of props, garments and make-up to bring their creative visions to life and maximise on the opportunities afforded by access to these facilities.
To round off a productive afternoon, students were given a tour of the rest of the Centre’s facilities, including an impressive black and white darkroom and processing space, digital print and processing studios fitted with top of the range iMac Pros, and an open-plan social and learning space. The tour gave an excellent insight into what students could expect if they progressed onto the BA (Hons) Photography, Video and Digital Imaging course as they saw current students, including an ex-student, working enthusiastically in the spaces.
The trip offered students a brilliant opportunity to create a range of high quality images to use in the initial stage of their Component 1 personal projects with facilities they would not otherwise be able to access until progressing to study the subject at degree-level. A huge thanks to the team at the Northern Centre of Photography for affording our students this fantastic opportunity and making it such an enjoyable experience.
