For another task, we were required to produce work for the EIZO Student Awards Photography and Film Brief. Upon completing our work, we were encouraged to enter our work into the competition.
EIZO is a company which designs and creates colour accurate digital monitors. EIZO’s monitors are of industry standard and are used vastly across the creative practices for purposes such as post-production, film and design.
The brief set by EIZO involves focusing on the idea that colour is a crucial part of life. Participants are required to do this through also selecting one of a number of themes to produce work for. The themes set to choose from included space, custom, criminal, masculinity, fake, trade, tragedy and unity. This could be done through a singular piece of work or a series of up to 10 images. The brief encourages participants to interpret their chosen theme either literally or in an abstract way, and there are no restrictions on where or how the work is produced.
For one of my other university modules we have been asked to produce work for our own photobook, surrounding a social issue present in 2020. As the photos I have captured are some of my most recent work, I automatically thought about the ones I have produced surrounding deprivation in the North of England. To do so I visited a number of places statistically classed as some of the most deprived places in the country, and one of these places included Blackpool.
Over the past few decades, Blackpool has seen a devastating decrease in tourism due to cheap air travel to other more appealing holiday destinations. As a result of this, local businesses have been struggling for a considerable amount of time, and this was particularly evident when I walked around Blackpool and noticed the amount of closed down small businesses. Unemployment and crime in Blackpool is also high, meaning that inhabitants struggle to maintain their homes, and this was also very apparent on my visit.
The struggles which Blackpool’s residents and workers face can be considered a tragedy. The once thriving holiday destination producing fond childhood memories for many, now consists of a population facing hardships such as unemployment, poor housing conditions, crime, and substance abuse issues.
Through my imagery I have attempted to show the tragedy which exists in Blackpool through its clearly neglected landscape, consisting of failed businesses and poor living conditions. A number of my images are also saturated in colour, and the colour scheme of my imagery is significant for reflecting the bleak atmosphere felt when visiting Blackpool.
Unfortunately, through missing the feedback session due to illness, I am yet to receive feedback on my work. However I am keen to receive commentary from others, and plan to update this post once I have received it.
aimeegleavesphotoppp1 