A few weeks ago I helped SupportDogs out by taking some lovely photos of trainer Amy and support dog in training Willow. To help show their growing partnership with East Midlands Trains. I just wanted to show off the lovely Willow, and just how humble the charity is.
For more info please check out the article here: Willow Well on Track to Succeed
For my second project during my studies of the foundation degree course, I gave myself the task of creating a set of portraits celebrating important people in Sheffield. Through nurses, charity workers and those working in the public sector. I know these photos could be improved with a little more planning, but I believe I did well for my first try 🙂
Sharon – Project Worker
The Cathedral Archer Project.
“Even if it’s a smile, a warm shower or fresh pair of socks, a little goes a long way, and here at the archer project, we try to help those who have had doors shut in their face. We try to let them know that their current situation is not a ‘be all end all’ situation. They can overcome this, and we’re here to help. The Archer Project offers hot showers, a kitchen with hot food and donated, clean clothes for anyone to use. I think it’s very rewarding to know we are helping people who would otherwise lose faith in themselves.”
Paul – Bus Driver
First South Yorkshire.
“I don’t think my job’s that important, I just drive the buses. If it wasn’t for the guys in the depot, engineers and the whole team, I wouldn’t have a bus to drive. We help people get to work in the morning, and the 52a helps people get to the main hospitals in Sheffield to visit sick family and friends. And although we complain about the bus being late or not arriving, we’re still needed, and we try our best.”
Clare – Children’s Nurse
Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
“Here at Sheffield Children’s Hospital we treat children of all ages with a huge variety of conditions. As a Children’s Nurse I need to be caring, compassionate and creative in order to deliver the best possible care for children, young people and their families. Having a child who is sick is one of the most stressful things a parent or carer can go through. As a Mum myself I can empathize with that, so I see supporting the whole family during this time as one of the most important parts of my job.”
Laura – Deputy Manager
Sheffield Young Carers.
“The reason we exist is to make sure that children who have had to grow up too fast through caring for a loved one, that they remain children for as long as they should. The children and young adults we work with have to carry a lot on their shoulders each day, and sometimes play up in school as a result, giving them time out of their lives to be kids again is the best form of help we can provide, the Sheffield Young Carers is important because we help young carers in Sheffield understand that they are important too.”
Eddie – School Crossing Warden
Lydgate Primary School.
“I hated school when I was a kid, but when I was in school it was 1952, all the teachers were in their 60s, grey haired and they were all ex-army majors. It’s not like it is today. I always think it’s good for the kids to have somebody that’s friendly because if they go to school and see a jolly old man at the crossing, they’ll be happy enough to cross the road safely and go to school.So when I was made redundant last year, I started working here and everyday I try to make as many children smile as I can.”
Phill and Chris – Volunteers
Jubilee Food Bank.
“There’s quite a lot of need in Sheffield. Some people haven’t got money because they’ve had their benefits stopped. We find all sorts of people who need help. And other the past four years we’ve been here, there seems to be more need now than ever. In our local area, we actually visit people at their homes, with probably about six hundred home visits every year. It’s really important to stand with people who face difficulty, a bit of food really helps.”
With the beginning of my next project, I wanted to share a few more images from my last project ‘ Self promotion through publication’ with which I created a book following the documentation of two people sharing a space (myself and my boyfriend) through cohabitation, and the considerations and changes we have to go through in order to live with another.
The result of creating this book lead to another distinction within my course (80/100) which is the highest grade I’ve received yet. I am so proud of these images and just wanted to share.
For my second year of college, our first project is to go over is the act of self promotion through publication, now this meant that I had to publish my own book following a topic of my choice. I thought the best idea to go with considering my desire to explore documentary photography was to document how couples ‘put up with each other’ when it comes to living together.
These are a few images of the first pages of my book, named ‘Unconditional.’I will post some of the images when I get the chance, but until then, enjoy! I have to say I am very proud of it 😀
To finalize my first year of college, I was given the task of creating an editorial piece based on a topic of my choice, I decided to create images demonstrating the lack of public information about male domestic abuse.
These images cover the severity of abuse and how it is seen in modern society, and the affects is has on men and their mental health. No one should have to feel less worthy about themselves after undergoing such a horrible act.
I believe in terms of work, these images are my best so far, and I’m very happy to share it.
For one of my first year college projects, I was given the task of creating a set of images correlating with the term ‘opposites.’ This image covers the phrase of past and present, following my grandmother to an image of her youth, while still showing her current age. I think I love this photo just as much as I love my grandmother ♥
In order to improve my professional practice and work performance throughout the next year, I have understood that creative a plan is necessary to keep track of my progress. So my personal development plan starts with the improvement of my confidence, which will expand over the next year, I plan to build my confidence through out-of-college commissions and jobs, this has already helped in the growth of my skills and confidence, so continuing to do so will improve it further of the next year. By January 2017, I plan to start driving lessons in the attempt to learn to drive within the new year. This will improve my practice as I will have the freedom to go to my clients without trouble in transport. The kinds of projects I want to cover this year will go into the documentary and editorial, at some point covering the story behind organ donors and the phrase ‘what is home?’ these ideas will grow throughout the year and with every project I tackle. With the idea of self improvement already in my plan, I want to use this improvement to grow into the next year, with the aim of advance onto the top up year and gain a bachelors degree in my field. I plan to achieve this by researching on UCAS the requirements for the course and using that knowledge to work on my personal statement. Another way in which I plan to help improve my work is by creating a larger online presence to others to see and judge my work. With this blog I want to add work from my commissions and college projects to allow others to see and let me know what they think. It has already helped in the process of keeping track of my commissions and work. With all this in mind, I aim to work on my confidence, professional image and style of photography through this year and with this plan, I am sure I will achieve it.
For the first project of my first year at college was to explore street photography, these images were a few of what I submitted. I created these images to show the diversity in architecture in Sheffield and how beautiful my home city can be.
One image in fact had won the State of Sheffield photography contest, for which I am extremely proud of. Take a look at this two minute video and let me know what you think.
Chelsea Pike Photography 