Mindmap

I’ve decided to split the theme into two parts; Political and Landscape, I’ll approach them as two separate units at the start and then connect and link them together later on in the project.

Landscape

Photos usually associated with ‘landscape’ are natural, but in photography, a landscape can also be a man-made building.

Landscape as a noun means the shape of the land and related features in a particular area. However, landscape as a verb means to change the appearance of an area of land. In a sense, the second meaning applies much more to politics; since they aim to change things for the better (or worse in some cases) its almost as though they are landscaping our future.

Political

The definition of the word political has two meanings, first being ‘involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians’ while the other being ‘of or relating to your views about social relationships involving authority or power’.

Most political imagery is classed under documentary and propaganda photography; these photographs are designed to be thought provoking and mind changing. Most seem to be in black and white centralizing the focus of the image not to be on the pretty colours but more on the subjects or person at hand.

Things that are political have to do with government, elections, and how society is run. Congress, state representatives, even county council members are all part of our political system.

What is a Zine?

The main difference between a magazine and a zine is that zines are not out there to make a profit but, rather, to add other, often unheard voices into the mix.

Historically, zines have been self-published as pamphlets or leaflets as early as the 1700s. They were circulated independently by socially-marginalized groups to give voice to their opinions and beliefs. Over time this developed into an array of other topics, with the first “boom” of zines starting in the 1930s. Known as “fanzines” and “perzines,” these were started by fans of science fiction magazines who self-published zines about both science fiction and the connected fandoms behind them.

Moodboard:

I created this moodboard to showcase a variety of different zine types, this is because I want to experiment with multiple designs before picking a final selection.

Evaluation of Zine: ‘Turves’ by Christopher Days

Turves, a remote village amidst the Cambridgeshire fens, is home to a unique and profound world that, until now, has been little documented. This series showcases the world of greyhound racing, and its struggle in today’s society to withhold mainstream appeal. Christopher’s unique approach observes relationships between greyhound and trainer, and explores an absolute intimacy that exists beyond the race track.

I really like this zine, the photographer manages to document everything happening at the greyhound training house in an unbiased matter, however,he still manages to comment on the circumstance with his use of the camera. The photos are dark, stark and cold; they’re deliberately shot in this way to portray feelings of sadness and sorrow the photographer probably feels towards the topic. In terms of design and arrangement, there is a lot of blank space in this zine, the photos aren’t arranged in any clear pattern or manner; this further reinforces his views and adds a sense of disorder to the zine.

History Of My Area

Working closely in collaboration with Societe Jersaise, I will produce a detailed shoot in my assigned area of St. Helier.

The area I was assigned to was Grey. It included areas such as Weighbridge Place, Royal Square and Fort Regent.

An early map of St Helier before the land on which the Weighbridge stood had been reclaimed The Weighbridge is one of the most important locations in St Helier. The name has been taken by the whole area to the north of the Old Harbour and New North Quay, where the original public weighbridge formerly stood

Weighbridge Place is all reclaimed land, the shoreline of St Helier was previously over 200 metres to the north on the south wall of the town churchyard. Gradually, from the 18th century onwards, the sea was pushed back, as first warehouses, and then hotels and other properties, were built to the south of the church.

Then construction of St Helier Harbour began in the 19th century, and gradually more and more land was reclaimed – a process which is continuing to this day. The weighbridge itself was ordered to be constructed in 1825, and, as the island’s potato industry developed, for several weeks of every year it was the centre of island life, as farmers brought their crop to St Helier for weighing, packing and then shipping out of the island

The Royal Square has been the center of Jersey life for centuries. Indeed, there are no records of anywhere else having the same level of importance.

 The Royal Square in the early-19th Century, with the Courthouse on the left, the statue of George II, the Corn Market on the right, and the Town Church in the background. The buildings in the centre adjoining the Courthouse had yet to be demolished to make way for the library building. The early 20th century photograph below shows the frontage of the library tower.

Fort Regent was built as the island’s main barracks and fortification from 1806 to 1814, just as the Napoleonic Wars were coming to an end. A decision to develop Fort Regent as a leisure complex was taken in December 1967. In 1970 the cable car facility was opened which gave access to Fort Regent from snow hill, this was closed to public use in 1991. In 1974 the Fort was roofed over.

The swimming pool was built on the Glacis Field and opened in 1971, the Gloucester Hall opened in 1978; this is part of Fort Regent’s multi-use facilities. The Queens Hall opened in 1988

Percy Dunham

  Dunham was Jersey’s first photojournalist and for a very short period of time in1913 and 1914, he worked for Jersey Illustrated Weekly and then the Morning News, the main competitor for many years for the Evening Post (now known as the Jersey Evening Post and the island’s top daily newspaper).

In the years leading up to the First World War the Evening Post had not embraced the new processes for including photographs in their newspapers, therefore, the illustrated Weekly and the Morning News were the pioneers of photojournalism in Jersey, along with other short-lived publications such as The Jerseyman.

The early photographs were largely portraits or promotional images to keep advertisers happy, but then, in 1913, along came Percy Robert Dunham who worked simultaneously for the Illustrated Weekly and the Morning News.

Photojournalism at the time didn’t have many set rules or definitions, Percy Dunham would document anything and everything he felt was significant at the time.

Photojournalism at the time didn’t have many set rules or definitions, Percy Dunham would document anything and everything he felt was significant at the time.

Percy Dunham’s documentation photography is very natural, other than in group portraits, he photographs everything exactly how he saw it.  Working for two newspapers meant he spent a lot of his time tied to his camera, and his skill is very evident in the photographs. The photos capture jersey in its purest and most natural form- when I’m taking photographs I want to do the same. Much like Percy Robert Dunham, I want to photograph people on their natural environment; this could be environmental portraits or just street photography.