It is coming up to my two-month mark of living and studying here in Madrid. So far, I am absolutely loving my new lifestyle – being able to exercise regularly at a nearby gym, studying and practicing technical photography skills both through university work and my own independent practice, having spare time to research and plan my own independent photographic projects to keep in touch with these methods for final year, verbally practicing and learning the language and of course, fully embracing and exploring the beautiful city, partially by attempting to try out almost every Spanish restaurant and bar in the nearby areas, because – why would you not?
In terms of the university (UEM) and its benefits for developing my photographic practice for final year back in Coventry, although it is a lengthy commute from my accommodation in central Madrid, it is worth it not only for the teaching but also for using their facilities. Similarly, to back home at Coventry, they also have a fully equipped photographic studio, black and white darkroom and developing box, a media loan shop, Mac computer suites and scanning rooms. Their studio has three separate backdrops within the same studio which means it is able to be used by multiple people at the same time, or to collaborate with others during a shoot.
As I anticipated, the chosen modules for my first semester, which I picked as they are most relevant to my practice to help me improve for my final year: ‘Introduction to Photography’ and ‘Specialised Photography’ are very basic academically. With both classes consisting of the structure of being taught a technique and then set a task to complete over the course of a week or longer; they both focus mainly on learning and practicing photography techniques. However, this is helpful to me as although Coventry’s course has been excellent in teaching me the theory of photography and I am now fully confident in this, researching it and developing concepts for projects; having the time and ability to address my technical skills has been lacking. Therefore, now having this time to carefully and fully understand how to do some basic and some more advanced photographic techniques such as using a long shutter speed and getting to grips with Photoshop on a higher level – is all very useful for me to prepare for my final year and develop as a professional.
Here is some of the work I have made for the ‘Introduction to Photography’ class so far including: scanography, photogram, pinhole and different shutter speed imagery…
…and here is some of the work I have made for the ‘Specialised Photography’ class so far including: long shutter speed, double exposure, shallow depth of field portraiture, group portraiture, high and low key lighting imagery and a 50s George Hurrell styled portrait...
The double exposure work was acknowledged and shared on social media by Native magazine, check it out on their website here: https://destinationnative.com/holly-houlton-explores-the-hyper-reality-world-of-clothes-combining-the-exoticism-of-botanicals-and-fashion/
Another task we have been asked to do for both classes is to create a detailed and informative presentation about a Spanish photographer(s) for ‘Specialised’ and any chosen photographer for ‘Introduction’. I was pleased to be set these assignments as I enjoy researching and writing about photography and artists and also because it will be beneficial practice for my final year when I complete a presentation leading to my dissertation. Furthermore, I am most excited to learn in detail about the two Spanish photographers I have chosen for my ‘Specialised’ presentation: Alberto Garcia Alix and Adrianna Roslin, as I would not have thought to choose these normally back in Coventry for research. Alix is a more famous and older photographer which means I will also be learning about Spain’s art history and its culture and how he has adapted his style through the times of photography to now, which I am thrilled about. Additionally, Roslin is more up and coming but is a modern artist – so it will be interesting to learn about the two different ends of the spectrum, the old and new Spanish portraiture photography.
Links here to the Spanish photographer sites:
Within the first couple of weeks of my first semester I knew that I wanted to create at least one strong body of work this year – independently from the university. As I mentioned earlier in the blog post, another aspect of this year’s way of life I am very grateful for is having more spare time due to the university work not being as demanding as I am used to at Coventry, to develop and improve my photography skills and in addition, to build my portfolio for final year. This currently involves planning and conducting my own fashion and portraiture shoots and conceptual photographic projects. Additionally, particularly fashion and portraiture, is a category of photography which I have always loved and had a passion for but have found myself not being able to practice to my full desires at Coventry – so it is great that I am able to during this year, to figure out if I could use these skills in my final year and to build my portfolio.
So far, independent of university set work, I have conducted one fashion and portraiture shoot as shown below:
Additionally, I have planned another shoot which I will be doing in mid-November with a model who I have met through one of my classes.
I am currently in the midst of planning and researching for more fashion/portraiture shoots and developing ideas for a more in-depth conceptual body of work probably to complete after Christmas now as I have too much going on beforehand! I look forward to producing the work as practice and experimentation for my final year; as it will hopefully allow me to understand what I am most creative at and interested in.