Photojournalism and Documentary Photography: A Foreign Place, Stoke.

Friday, 29 October 2010

Staffordshire University brief (Evelyn)

Landscape

Portrait

News

Documentary

Thursday, 28 October 2010

Emma Bridgewater: Celebrating 25 Years. By Josie La Torre

Emma Bridgewater is the infamous pottery designer, best known for her quirky and cute designs found on teapots, mugs, cups, cuttlery and many other household items.

This year, Emma Bridgewater celebrates 25 years in the business. Her outlet store and factory is one of the main attractions found in Stoke- On- Trent and is located along Caldon Canal.

Myself, Hilary and Jess came across the factory whilst walking along the grim canal. It was exciting to discover the factory as i had researched it before coming to Stoke. We had spent an hour or so walking down the depressing canal and the sights around us weren't very appealing as all we could see was desolate land and industrial areas. However, discovering the factory sparked inspirational enthusiasm.

The factory was full of pretty, delicate potteries. They all followed Bridgewater's infamous designs of spots, stars, words and even union jack themed products.

The factory had a well structured layout consisting of a gift shop, cafe, display etc. We initially walked into the 'firsts' gift shop. This is a gift shop full of original Bridgewater products, all tested and approved ready to sell at retail price. However, as we walked throughout the factory we soon came to the 'seconds' gift shop. If a product has so much as a scratch on it, it ends up in this large warehouse reduced to an outlet price ready to sell.

The factory has pretty displays layed out throughout the different rooms. All displays are set out perfectly and you couldn't help but admire the idyllic view and appreciate the creative designs.

Everything in the factory is for sale whether it be a first or a second product. All products were lovely to look at and there were lots of different designs to take in.

The 'seconds' gift shop is full of worthy products still but at cheaper prices!

The Factory fits in nicely with the area of Stoke- on- Trent as it conforms with the ceramic appeal Stoke prides itself on. The Emma Bridgewater Factory takes a fresh, funky twist on ceramics bringing charater and life to Stoke- on- Trent. It's a great attraction for Bridgewater lovers/ fans and also people who love ceramics.

P.S... They even wrap products for you!

Trivial landscapes and Colourful people

Although trivial to the vast amount of times students go out drinking, getting drunk and waking up in the morning in shameful regret, the one thing that will be the most memorable is the welcome to Stoke On Trent.

Harry Tyas, who helped to welcome some of us (myself, john downes, andy hussey and dan jocelyn) into the student way of life in Stoke, has really helped for some of the portraiture which I am now showing.

The people in Stoke, such as Sean and Charlie for example, were lovely people and the surrounding environment was a great photo opportunity.

Derelict, grey-toned buildings with some interesting grey-toned public were enough to depress any photographer but on the other hand there was some colour in people's personalities thus helping to steer away from the bleakness.

Although some things were unplanned and not entirely what one expected we should all be grateful for being thrown into such an interesting situation!

The images shown are some indication to the first of two nights spent in Stoke.

Window View

Harry Tyas's living room

Harry Tyas's fellow student Housemates a tad shocked by the sudden burst of flash

First impressions after pints and burgers

Charlotte Mitchell aka Charlie trying on my sunglasses

Harry Tyas, what a beautiful little man

Harry's housemate nicknamed 'Mule', I think.....

He's holding a toy gun by the way

The Pottery Museum

Probably one of my most interesting subjects, titled 'Anabolic Steroids'.

Really nice guy however angry I've seemed to portray him.

John Downes after waking up from the night of little sleep, too many beers and a day of trying to shoot the ridiculous amount of 400 photo's.

Andy in the morning light after first night stoke rituals

I decided to show this as it's a representation of the view of the photographer, me (obviously) along with just a very few of the people I met during my stay in Stoke, Sean (middle) and my subject from the 'anabolic steroids' photo.

Staffordshire University Brief. Final Four Images. By Josie La Torre

Portrait:

Sir Stanley Matthews proudly standing in the centre of Hanley

Landscape:

A peaceful sight in Hanley Park

Local News Image:

Standing in the cold outside Hanley's Potteries Shopping Centre, raising money for Midland Air Ambulances

Documentary:

An vendor in Hanley town centre making and selling infamous Stoke- On- Trent oatcakes

Dulled Optimism - Alexandra Collins

On arriving at the North Stafford Hotel and confronting my bleak room, which some how represented a prison cell. This dulled my characteristic optimism. However, sun was streaming into the room the next day, which boosted my confidence to face the streets of Stoke-on-Trent with my camera. One of my first detailed observations were the heavily protected CCTV cameras; I thought they were supposed to protect us? I did have an overall cold and cautious feeling about the city after having read negative statistics and being harassed and followed the day before by a number of individuals. This experience forced me to change my tactics on how I portrayed the city and I focused on city-scapes combined with anonymous figures in the street.

The intention of this brief was to locate me in a foreign place within my home country. I am fortunate enough to have travelled extensively but never have I felt more of a foreigner than I did in Stoke-on-Trent. This is my story...