Sharing expertise is part of the learning experience. By Geoff Ellis
A YEAR ago Bass Coast Adult Learning asked me to run a weekly photography and friendship session for people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
One person turned up for the first session. Josh didn’t bring a camera but he did have a smart phone and a tripod.
By the fourth week we had three participants signed up. They decided we needed an engaging collective name and we became ‘Thru the Lens’.
A YEAR ago Bass Coast Adult Learning asked me to run a weekly photography and friendship session for people on the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
One person turned up for the first session. Josh didn’t bring a camera but he did have a smart phone and a tripod.
By the fourth week we had three participants signed up. They decided we needed an engaging collective name and we became ‘Thru the Lens’.
After we spent a morning exploring the State Coal Mine and sharing our photos over a cuppa at the café, the key element quickly become excursions to local places of interest while studying the science of taking photographs and having fun.
We have followed that pattern for the year through sporadic lockdowns and the extremes of Gippsland weather. BCAL has a very tight set of protocols to control the threat of COVID19 and we plan the expeditions a week in advance with an indoor ‘plan B’ as we study the sky each Wednesday morning.
In Bass Coast we are blessed with so many beaches, quirky towns, intriguing farms and great museums that it’s hard to decide where to head next, so participants take turns to choose their own adventure.
We have followed that pattern for the year through sporadic lockdowns and the extremes of Gippsland weather. BCAL has a very tight set of protocols to control the threat of COVID19 and we plan the expeditions a week in advance with an indoor ‘plan B’ as we study the sky each Wednesday morning.
In Bass Coast we are blessed with so many beaches, quirky towns, intriguing farms and great museums that it’s hard to decide where to head next, so participants take turns to choose their own adventure.
The photographers found plenty of subjects at Ian Hitchings’ heritage farm.
We generally gather at BCAL then drive to locations such as The Mouth of the Powlett or a town such as Archies Creek. The main thing is that we share the experience, make the outing as inclusively accessible as possible and include a café in the itinerary. Iced coffee for me, please.
“It's not just a photography group, it's a friendship group as well. The more we know each other the more skills we achieve together.” |
Experience and equipment levels vary across the group and people are happy to share their knowledge and advice. We also have regular guest speakers. Ted Minty gave us a fabulous presentation on the history of photography and Mick Green, from Drift Media, gave us a great demonstration of drone photography in inaction. That gave a whole new meaning to ‘zoom’.
Other highlights have been visits to Ian Hitching’s heritage farm on the edge of North Wonthaggi, Bronwyn Pratt’s Jewellery shop in San Remo and regular visits, in combination with BCAL’s art groups, to ArtSpace and The Goods Shed for private viewings of the ever changing exhibitions and workshops.
Other highlights have been visits to Ian Hitching’s heritage farm on the edge of North Wonthaggi, Bronwyn Pratt’s Jewellery shop in San Remo and regular visits, in combination with BCAL’s art groups, to ArtSpace and The Goods Shed for private viewings of the ever changing exhibitions and workshops.
“My photography has taken off in leaps and bounds. I've had paid gigs such as Open, Edible Gardens, Rotary's 'Hand to Heart' and Josh's Diversability Breakfast. Thank you to everyone who believed in me.” |
Digital photography (and graffiti) are the most democratic forms of art and we encourage people to use their phones and camera to tell their stories and show people what matters to them. Used properly, social media is a great way to amplify our voices.
To build on our weekly adventures, this year we will show off the class’s best photographs in our annual art and photography exhibition on December 3 (national day for celebration of people living with disability) and print a big little book for Christmas to share our work with a wider audience.
We’ll be back in class on Wednesday. After the acknowledgement, we’ll do an “around the room” report about how each of us feels, what we did during the break and then share and discuss the photos we have taken over the break. Then we’ll head out for our next adventure.
To build on our weekly adventures, this year we will show off the class’s best photographs in our annual art and photography exhibition on December 3 (national day for celebration of people living with disability) and print a big little book for Christmas to share our work with a wider audience.
We’ll be back in class on Wednesday. After the acknowledgement, we’ll do an “around the room” report about how each of us feels, what we did during the break and then share and discuss the photos we have taken over the break. Then we’ll head out for our next adventure.