When Sharon graduated from Newport in 1987 everybody expected great things from her. Sadly that promise was never realized, because in November of that year she was murdered by a 61-year-old Polish refuge who had featured in her final year project. The film asks whether the necessary closeness, between documentary photographer and subject, eventually led ultimately to her death.

Watch the documentary here.

Before then I was living in Newcastle Upon Tyne post-university, deciding what to do with my life and I spent much time hanging out in a multi-media workshop space there watching Newcastle’s documentary photographers create and print their images. One of them, Tom, ended up going to Newport and suggested a year later I do the same. I applied, have no recollection of the interview, but got on the course in September 1985.

A quarter century later I am a still a working photographer, although I didn’t realise then I’d end up having to re-learn the profession and spend much of my working time in front of the computer. Bring back the days of bits of string knotted at 12″ intervals for our light meters and chats with chums over printing machines.

I remember David Hurn talking one day about the ultimate camera being a small device attached to our heads which somehow linked to the blink of an eye. If we could just take the pictures we wanted like that, the decisive moment would be so much easier and we wouldn’t have to carry all this heavy metal and glass around.

As it is, a career in photography has rewarded me with the freedom and variety of life that I sought. No two working days have been the same. What other profession could give me the privilege of capturing the birth of a child one day, the challenge of photographing a drunk, bolshie film star the next and then being asked to go to Rwanda for the BBC’s Comic Relief?

Alas, there is less work out there now, but the strengths of the course, the ‘crits’ and instruction still echo in my memory, and occasionally I look back at the chinagraph streaks all over my contact sheets and am still reminded to “move lower so you can see his eyes looking at the nail” or “move the camera around until you get the most pleasing composition”….. And so I thank the then HND in Documentary Photography and it’s main tutors at the time – David, Clive, Daniel and Ron for the opportunity of giving me the skills for the professional life I have.

My mother died in May this year, and at her bedside I found myself photographing her hand as I held it. The powerful effect of this medium and of this course knows no bounds. The class of 85-87 knows this only too well after my friend and our contemporary Sharon Chazan was murdered in London by one of her photographic subjects in October ’87, just after embarking on what promised to be a glittering career as a highly talented and successful photographer.

I dedicate my two photographs here to my Mum and Sharon.

I look forward to seeing you all again this October for the exhibition :0)

The use of speech can be used in a way of tormenting and abusing a person, making them believe they are worthless or from the perpetrators viewpoint consider themselves dominate. Verbal abuse is insidious like a cancer, and it steals into a marriage by degrees.

The item I used is important to Bride and Groom. The wedding cake is a symbol of love which they both cut together to show unity and harmony. The ornament on the top of the wedding cake is kept as a reminder of that symbol. As it ages it becomes faded and the plastic becomes yellowed. Cracks and distress appear in an abusive marriage as with the ornament.

My Time at University

I got divorced in 2006, I had always wanted a degree piece of paper to show certain people that I had the courage and intelligence to achieve this qualification. What I learnt was more about myself. I had hardly touched a camera, my strengths were in design. I wanted a challenge and a challenge it was. I enjoyed being at University learning a new skill, which proved to me that I could achieve something, something I’d put on a pedestal, a degree. I am now 55 and was supported emotionally by my children but constantly told by people of my age it was a waste of time. Learning is never a waste of time. Taking photographs can be done by anyone, but the feeling of knowing how to use a camera and taking the photo which gives you the feeling of ‘yes that is the one’, can only be achieved by someone with confidence, which education has given me.

Square one from sion jones on Vimeo.

Video Testimonial:

Untitled from sion jones on Vimeo.

A handful of rioters do not make the youth from Lucy Rose Owen on Vimeo.

I studied Photographic Art at Newport from 2009 until 2012, graduating in the centennial year. During my time at Newport I’ve learned a great deal about all aspects of photography, particularly developing my theoretical understanding for the genre.

The course has helped me to develop a better understanding of the way I think about photography and the world around me. I now view subjects in a totally different way, with a much deeper understanding of what is important to me and how it can impact on others through my art. I have become much more political and interested in societal events and how I can try to relay a message or make a point through my photography. I also feel much more confident to do this now than I would have before embarking on my degree. This is something I know will stay with me throughout my life.

I found the visiting lectures at Newport to be such an inspiration and incredibly interesting, I know they are something I shall miss in the future.

Lavinia Drake reflects on Photo Art at Newport 2007-2010 from Lavinia Drake on Vimeo.