19 January 2012

Jill Cole

Very lucky to get to hear about work Jill has been creating during her time as artist in residence for the National Forest 'Photo~Canopy' project.

Had the chance to speak to her about my plans for my work to meet this brief. I want to explore the scars that remain in the National Forest local to me and to attempt to create a PhotoFilm of the guys that run the clayworks and landfill site within the Ashby Woulds. One day it will all be covered by a glorious country park at the very heart of the National Forest - but I want some record of it before it goes.

Jill described some of the issue she had whilst undertaking this work:

  • Access
  • The distance she lives from the National Forest
  • The weather
  • Finding the big idea
  • Her conflict concept (land use and change)
  • Processes
  • Is it about the trees?
  • How do you look at a Forest?
  • Your background will determine the way you approach the brief
  • Challenge to say something new about an area that it nearly 20. Is there an iconic image?
  • Avoid getting overwhelmed
  • Have focus

I made notes during her lecture:



Reflection:
Icing on the cake was to meet up with Jill the following day before she headed back home to North Yorkshire. We shared ideas, anecdotes and thoughts on coming to photography as a second career and the challenges that involves.

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