UCF's own Press Gang's visits London
First year Press Photography student Oliver Rudkin filled us in about the new course’s recent professional practice trip to London.
On a recent professional practice trip to London, students from the BA(Hons) Press Photography course at UCF woke early on their first day and visited the Deutsche Borse exhibition at The Photographers’ Gallery. Viewing ‘epic’ photographs by John Davies, in the form of large prints of the British Landscape from the past thirty years, formed part of the reason for their visit. Well-printed, traditional photography figures largely in the collectors’ market, a topic of discussion for the students.
For some students, the highlight of the week was visiting Magnum Photos in Gee Street. Not unexpectedly, Oliver arrived expecting to see a gleaming, multi-storey, palatial building. He and some of the other students were quite surprised to find it a small, ordinary-looking office with a doorbell, a desk and a receptionist. It was quite unassuming, but brilliant at the same time. Another Press Photography student pointed out that it felt a bit like being a Catholic at the Vatican. While there, the students met Nick, who is employed to take care of the Magnum archives. He talked to the students about the importance of keeping photographs safe for posterity.
The trip offered much for the students to see and experience and take back with them and apply to their coursework. The London visit was an opportunity for them to soak up as much information as they could to apply it to their burgeoning practice. The trip gave students an invaluable insight in to the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of working as a professional at the top end of the photography industry.
Fiona Rogers, who looked after the students during their professional practice visit, talked to them about book publishing. She also showed the students commercial portfolios; demystifying the process and setting a standard the students should aim for with their own presentation.
That evening, the Press Photography students went for drinks with George Brooks, Lindsay Maggs, and Gretchen from Rex Features. The practitioners were happy to talk about their work, provide advice and answer the many questions the students had for them – for which the students were exceedingly grateful. It was a great way for the students to unwind after a long and busy day.
The Vanity Fair exhibition was the first stop the next morning. Afterwards, they returned to Magnum for an afternoon of looking at vintage photographs in the print room. Magnum built its print room to showcase its collector’s prints, which now forms an important part of the agency, a consequence of print sales rising in reaction to the commercial dominance of digital photography. A question-and-answer session followed with Francesca Sear, who handles editorial assignments. She gave the press photography students an insight into how editorial photography is commissioned in Britain, and what goes on at the negotiating table.
After leaving Magnum, the students paid a visit to Foto8 magazine and HOST gallery, where they were met by John Levy, the editor and founder. John told the students about the gallery, and encouraged the students regarding their own work.
On the last day of their professional practice trip, the students were free to work on their own projects and visit galleries.
The trip was a great experience, beyond what any of the students for the Press Photography course, which has just finished its first year, could have anticipated. They had an opportunity to meet influential and enthusiastic practitioners – and come away feeling motivated and happy about photography and the future.
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