Oxjam Takeover Festival - Norwich

I have just had the pleasure of covering The Norwich Oxjam Takeover festival on behalf of myself and Archant, shooting for The Evening News and The Eastern Daily Press.

The Norwich Oxjam Takeover festival was a part of a Nationwide annual day of events, which was held on October 25th. One day. 6 Venues. 50 Acts.

In the words of the organizers themselves:

"Oxjam is a month-long national music festival which takes place in hundreds of venues in cities across the UK every year. This year, Oxjam is raising funds and awareness for Oxfam's 'Stop Climate Change' campaign and wants you to 'Demand Action Until You're Blue in The Face.'"

I went along and captured some of the musicians performing, Here are some of the photographs:

more photos can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeforrest/

Oxjam Buskathon

As part of my work experience/freelancing opportunity for Archant, a national publishing body, I was given an assignment to shoot for Archant Norfolk's daily titles, The Evening News and The Eastern Daily Press covering an Oxfam run event.

Known as the Oxjam Buskathon, this event saw 20+ musicians playing acoustically outside of The Forum in Norwich on the 10th of October. In aid of Oxfam and aiming to raise awareness and give aid to those who are and were effected by the fallout effects of climate change across the world.

The acoustic event outside the Forum was a mere taster of what is to come when the Oxjam Norwich Takeover Festival takes place on October 25th in aid of the charity Oxfam. I am glad that my first assignment was one that I could really get behind and support, with such a worthy and important cause, I was happy to both report on events and enjoy the musical talent on show.

Here are some examples of my photographs:


more photos can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeforrest/

Dub-Dub-Dub-Dub-Dublin Zoo

I cannot turn down any opportunity to walk around and look at animals, so when I found out there was a Zoo in Dublin, I was always going to go. On a recent trip to Dublin with my girlfriend, we hopped on the bus and went to Dublin zoo. It rained a lot but I managed to get some nice photographs.

I'll let the pictures talk for themselves:


more photos can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeforrest/

Dub-Dub-Dub-Dub-Dublin

I have just got back from Dublin, a trip to celebrate my girlfriends birthday and both of our graduations from university. Alongside the celebrating of both occasions in Dublin (i.e. road testing the Guinness), the trip gave rise to the baring witness of moments within and the exploration of some of Dublin and its streets.

Without doubt, one of my favorite and most entertaining elements of the trip were the street performers and the way people responded to them. Located in the centre of Dublin's cultural hot spot, local musicians set up and busk for the public. Within minutes it seems, a crowd forms and sits on steps, pavements, curbs, roads and just about anything else to observe and enjoy the artistry and talent of these performers. One of the most engaging crowd members was a man who seemed to be walking his dogs in a state, a little worse for wear and sat down next to me to watch the street performers. A blues and soul band, who for me were the highlight of the talent I saw on display in Dublin. Although half-cut the guy was truly immersed in and enjoying the musical creations of the street performers.

Who could visit Dublin, without a taste of Guinness, well people who don't like Guinness, people who don't want go on the tour of the Guinness factory and people who don't drink alcohol. So to clarify; Who could visit Dublin, without a taste of Guinness(please see exceptions above). We visited the Guinness storehouse, where I was particularly interested in the interior design/architecture of the building, a modern yet seemingly authentic building, a great balance between modern and traditional architectural styles. The great 360 degree sky bar, a huge wall of all the different Guinness bottles and an mirrored viewing station of all the old Guinness television advertisements.

These were great elements of the trip, there was however one picture and one man who I found very engaging and of great interest to me. A man we witnessed on the last day waiting for our flights, sitting in a memorial garden for the soldiers lost in the second world war. This man smoking and reading, set amongst the flowers the shot just seems to capture a great moment in the everyday of this man.

here are some photographs of some of the things I saw.


more photos can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeforrest/

Tip-Top Studio - Burlesque

Again, another busy day with the Tip-Top Photography team at their studio in the jewelery quarter, Birmingham. I was there to assist and also shoot as part of a burlesque studio photography workshop.

Thanks to Deb and Steve for having me in to help out and giving me these opportunities. much appreciated Here's a link to their site, they are great people to work with. Tip-Top Photography

here are some of the shots I took:

Suzie Sequin


more photos can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeforrest/

exhi-bit-bit

I've created a condensed version of my work, which has gone up as part of the BA(Hons) visual communication graduation show. My work is within the photography department of Birmingham Institute of Art and Designs Gosta green campus.

They are a set of 13 photographs with one piece of accompanying text and a business card holder. The accompanying text reads:

"A search for the prevalence of public displays of conviction and determination is set in motion. A desire to capture that, which is important to others and the way this personal conviction manifests itself through its application. A purposeful and determined action captured for all to see, a beacon of personal activism flying in the face of societal phenomena of self indulgence and laziness.

Conviction
- A firmly held belief or opinion.
- The quality of showing that one is firmly convinced of what one believes or says.

Determination
- A firmness of purpose; resoluteness
- The controlling or deciding somethings nature or outcome.

This took me to many a setting, in search of that definition of character, the bit-between-the-teeth attitude which was displayed and enforced by ones self. I was able to bare witness to such public displays of conviction and determination, applied by the individual within various facets of their everyday lives. The determination to get and stay fit and healthy, whilst running in scenic surroundings. No matter their size or shape, whatever the weather. A display of a DIY ethic manifesting as a desire to learn in order to save money. Through a little hard work and determination, this was achieved. Rousing displays of zero tolerance to racism within the British education system. The amassing of outspoken opposition through unity and discontented attitudes toward the British National Party and its policies.

The humbling huge turnout of 7,000 people in unity fighting for the chance to work and remain employed in a time of economic instability leading to millions of job cuts in a small number of months. Those displaying self-discipline and a dedication to the artistry of classical music, coming together as an orchestra through a shared goal. To play beautiful music free of charge for the general public. A visit to a Christian church and having witnessed devout public, yet profoundly private displays of remembrance of the dead, the relief of a drunken man provided by the shelter of the church and the retail value of religious iconography.

It is humbling to see such dedication to a cause, the application of ones mind to such a degree based on a firmly held belief or purpose is a valuable thing to find. It is essentially, the things which matter to the individuals captured. The determination of individuals to represent themselves alone or as part of a group of like minded thinkers. Such events have real power to bring about change. This change be it small, such as lifting the mood of the general public through moving music, or the disciplined nature of personal fitness or as a much larger gesture. The lack of tolerance to the inclusion of racist people within the education system or a mass march on behalf of UK workers within British industry, desperate to remain in employment and gain vital funding in order to do so in a time of great public unrest and economic instability.

These displays of conviction and determination were ones which I did not only bare witness to, I felt inspired and motivated by them. These were displays of importance and note-worthiness, ones which others should bare witness to and act accordingly. We all have the power to act upon our convictions in a determined manner, and bring about positive change. We should do so. A good cause is a worthy cause."

The graduates showcase can be found at http://www.181show.com

here are some photographs of the exhibition piece.


more photos can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeforrest/

business card

I am a few days away from being a graduated freelance photographer. Conviction and Determination is finished as far as it being a University submission, however I will be continuing this as a personal project as I feel the project has a great depth and range of subject matter to be discovered and captured.

I have developed a business card, a simple elegant design, showing the youthful and contemporary nature of the photographer (me), portraying a sleek aesthetic quality and an eye for composition. Some nice hand made type and the visual communication of the role the photographer.

here it is, front then back:

source magazine grauate photography online 2009

Just got an e-mail through today that examples of my work are up as part of the source magazine's graduate photography online 2009 section of their website. Think the shots came out a little too dark, but got on the main/front page of the listing, so pretty chuffed. There's loads of good work by people on various courses at various institutions, you can check them out here.

Along with my work within the Birmingham City University section are other people from my course, who have a variety of photographic interests.

here is the link to my page with some shots from my conviction and determination project

Kitten Von Mew - Burlesque Shoot

I have had the opportunity recently to shoot at tip-top photography's studio space in the jewelry quarter, Birmingham. A great studio location, with an easy to use set up and a choice of backdrops the stage was set for a pretty successful shoot. The model was a burlesque dancer called, Kitten Von Mew, who comes highly acclaimed. I shot two different outfits/looks using different methodologies for lighting. With some post shoot processing and a little tweaking the shots were looking great.

This was my first studio experience outside of using Birmingham City Universities studio and I'm pretty pleased with the experience, having learned a lot and getting some nice shots.

here are some examples: