Photography workshop for disadvantaged youth

I have been out this week working with disadvantaged teens and NEETS (not in education, employment or training) running a documentary photography course.

None of the students had worked with a camera before, and Canon had VERY kindly lent me a few decent compacts for the duration of the course. We only had a few hours each day to work on the pics taken the day before…I was working with gimp (amazing…free) software on the computers at the Trinity Community Arts centre in Bristol.

The idea was for the students to choose a subject that they thought they could illustrate, then go off and do it, with guidance from me. There was not really time to teach much more than how to work the cameras, but I think the students did an amazing job, I am really proud of them.

This is a big thankyou to Dwayne, Dani and Brenton for the effort they put in. I think their work is amazing, better than many professionals I know, and I’m not joking. Have a look at the pics…remember…no previous experience…just following their creative urges, and staying on subject….enjoy

Self portrait by Dwayne...part of his essay on sexuality.

Shop front, Stapleton Road, Bristol, part of Brenton's essay on Stapleton road's diversity.

Journey....Part of Dani's essay on journeys...she is very into travelling about in whatever way she can

I will be getting these pics and more from the sets published in the local media, and I hope to put on an exhibition in Bristol of the work. The only bad thing to come out of the week was the fact that Dwayne has fallen in love with photography and wants to pursue it, but can’t afford a camera. He deserves one, he is a natural. I will be running more photography courses in Bristol in the near future, watch this space…

DAVID WHITE