Seeing Ourselves, Showing Ourselves

Photo credit: Stephen Manning, Paula Louis and Hazel Fraser

Photo credit: Pauline Brown and Juliana Simon

Seeing Ourselves, Showing Ourselves ran over 6 weeks and was an introduction for a group of Hackney Seniors into the ways that they could explore, reflect on and represent their local physical, cultural and emotional landscapes through photography.

The project introduced basic technical aspects of image making but also focused on the way that photography can be used to communicate ideas, perspectives and experiences.

There was opportunity to make different kinds of photography from landscape through to studio portraiture and the sessions were structured to incorporate activities that were photographic as well as discursive. There were ‘outshoots’ in the local community, weekly group critique feedback sessions and homework briefs set to push people’s learning outside of the group sessions.

The project culminated in a celebratory exhibition event at Open School East that included printed images and a screening of an image slideshow showcasing everyone’ s work. Everyone got a disc containing all their images and a certificate of participation for the project. They were received in front of a packed house that was really appreciative of the work and achievements of the group.

Throughout the project participants were focused and insightful and the discussions unpicking image making were fascinating and complex. Right from the beginning the group were really clear that they had high expectations and aspirations and wanted to extend their knowledge, visual literacy and technical skills.

Seeing Ourselves, Showing Ourselves was led by artist and photographer Helen Cammock.