The Media Workshop has held a series of art and design courses this summer including a Documentary Photography Course with Photography lecturer Paul Allen

We were pleased to welcome some familiar and unfamiliar faces to a series of photography and design courses held at the workshop this summer. This summer has boasted courses such as WordPress, glass printing, t-shirt print design, and basic digital SLR skills. Photography Lecturer Paul Allen also travelled east from his normal home of Arts University College Bournemouth to come down to the workshop to give a talk about Documentary Photography. Covering the work of many British photographers, including Martin Parr, Paul spoke creatively about the way in which photography can be used to capture everyday life, from creating the right environment, to positioning the camera for the perfect shot.

“The courses were recommended to me by a friend who’d completed a few projects at the workshop. Documentary photography has definitely been my favourite and I’ve already put some of Paul’s advice into practice!”

The question and answer session at the end of the talk was particularly helpful, giving individual inspiration
to attendees on how they could further their own photography in the community, Media Workshop newcomer Siham Hamadoui has been working voluntarily in the community with Leukaemia charity Clic Sargant. After receiving a digital SLR as a birthday present she found out about the workshop and came on down to improve her skills.

If you’re interested in improving your skills watch this space. A listing of our autumn courses will be announced very soon so why not get in touch and make sure your place is booked ready for some festive photography.

Autumn Newsletter 2010

The days are getting shorter! but don’t worry our Events & Workshops for Autumn 2010 programme is out now. Go to our Courses page for more details.

There are lots of ways to keep up-to-date with developments at The Media Workshop; subscribe to our email list; if you are a Facebook member become a fan and of course there is this site; give us a ring on 023 8023 1977 or drop in on a one of our Open Access Sessions every Thursday 1pm -9pm (school term only).

I have been involved in the Media Workshop since 1984 when I had assistance in producing an exhibition highlighting the local Chinese Community.

I am pleased to have seen the Workshop grow from strength to strength over the years to what has become an excellent resource and support centre for various forms of visual media.

I enjoy working in black and white, which allows emphasis of texture, light and shadows.

Open Access at the Media Workshop gives me the opportunity to pursue this hobby and to meet other photographers. I have also benefited greatly from the advice and encouragement of the staff.

I went to Mount Pleasant Middle School and remember using the Media Workshop with my family.

Since then I’ve completed an MA at the University of Sussex. I’ve spent a year working in Indonesia coordinating various projects with is where I have taken most of my recent photographs.

I usually take digital photographs. I have chosen to put three abstract photos on the gallery website. My photos range from old clay pots, Winchester, to lichen covered rocks in Arisaig, Scotland.

I frame my shots through the camera viewfinder and don’t usually crop later, using the macro (close up) and take photos of anything that catches my eye. It’s all down to your way of looking…

As taking photographs is largely a solitary activity using the Open Access workshop gives me the opportunity to meet with people like myself, who enjoy taking photographs. The atmosphere is friendly and help is available from a team of knowledgeable workers, leaving you free to pursue your personal projects. Whether it be landscape, portraiture, documentary or abstract photographs. With positive interaction between Media Workshop users as well as constructive criticism, personal growth can be achieved.

What do I get from the Media Workshop? I can continue with traditional black and white photography so I don’t have to buy a lot of new, expensive, digital equipment, and don’t have to sell my old stuff, in a friendly local environment. Which is great.

Ari Ashley’s photographs are snap shots of a quintessentially British way of life. 



Reminiscent of Lartigue, Ashley’s playful photographs were not made with an audience in mind but for her own personal pleasure, evoking a family album of family, friends, pets, parties and holidays all captured with a sense of joie de vivre and affection for her subjects.

Although all of the photographs were taken in recent years, they seem to belong to an idyllic belle époque long gone: a naked man galloping on a black horse across the moors, a self-portrait of the artist and her friend in costume only rooted in the near present by the modern camera in the frame, a nursery rhyme figure leaping across a large rock, and a dog dressed up as a sheep!

A self-taught photographer, Ashley’s career began shooting for catalogues and progressed to editorial work for Tatler, Harper’s & Queen and House & Garden magazines.

www.ariashley.co.uk

Since I first saw a print magically appear in a darkroom dish I have been in love with photography.

I choose to use film, making black and white silver prints just because I enjoy it.

Coming to the Media Workshop [Open Access sessions] gives me access to a great darkroom enabling me to continue my hobby and importantly continue to use film. The coffee is good as well!