Influences.Chris Coekin and Daniel Meadows

I first came across the work of Chris Coekin via my tutor Wendy Mc Murdo.It’s been a real help in shaping the methodology of my FMP. I was starting to doubt the viability and validity of the subject and how relevant it was to the story I want to tell.

His work around Working Mens Clubs Knock Three Times in particular resonated with me.I don’t have years to acquaint myself with the members but having become a member I am finding the process of getting to know people quite easy now and find they are interested and supportive of the idea, what it is for or will end up seems to be the main concern, once that is explained they open up and seem to be very accepting so far.

I mentioned before that I wanted to do a short presentation to the members but it seems Julia the Club president is not keen. Although she as been reasonably co-operative I believe I have some way to go before she is totally convinced of the project and motives.I think she wants me to bring something more quicker.I’ll work on it.!

In light of this and the responses I’m getting it’s now time to spend some time actually shooting more than just some of the found images. I’m sure I will use some of these but as a tool to get to know people they have been of most use.My friend Peter Dench who is a renowned documentary photographer explains that many times he as wasted frames and rolls of film getting to know people, people in charge asking to be photographed,people who perhaps are not relevant to the story, that will never be seen but by doing so sets them at ease.I have had to employ this method myself before and I see it as part of the process until you are accepted, the real project becomes apparent people understand and start to forget about you being there.Becoming part of the furniture.Often recommending other useful people and places.

It’s true to say that by being upfront and close you often blend in and become just there by being honest and open as opposed to trying to sneak shots or use long lenses, often by doing this I find you become much more visible, the images say very little and there is no relationship between the subject and photographer.

Daniel Meadows has a good set of rules which I think are very helpful.

So getting back to my methodology. I will continue to photograph found/reportage/candid images and alongside that as planned I am starting to formulate the ideas around some set up environmental portraits, some influenced by the candid images much like Chris Coekins set up images but in my case it will be less about recreating them as he did and more about using them to influence a portrait with some elements included.In doing this I will be giving my interpretation of how I see the subject.

The next time I plan to go is this weekend where I will continue to meet new people and also speak to the people I have already met and start arranging times to sit down and talk to them,record the conversation and get started on the portraits. Once I start this point I know it will encourage me to continue and the project will start to flow. My doubts I’m sure abated.