During the Shooting Buildings Project, students of two London schools, aged between 11 and 14 from Elthorne Park High School and West London Academy worked with photographer Olivia Hemingway to explore architecture and space through digital photography, both at the Wallace Collection and at their schools.
The students learned how to interpret architectural photographs, using what they had learned to develop their own styles of photography and to respond to the brief given to them. For some students this was an introduction to photography and for others an opportunity to build on existing technical and creative skills.
For Shoot One, the students were asked to photograph Hertford House, home of The Wallace Collection, and for Shoot Two they were asked to photograph their own school building. They were commissioned as professional photographers; the aim of which was to produce promotional material for each building. Both briefs asked that the buildings be portrayed in a positive, unique and exciting way. The participants took interior and exterior shots, wide shots, close ups and interesting angles and points of view. They also compared unfamiliar with familiar environments and how they themselves felt about each space or building. Restrictions were imposed on the students such as no use of flash, rules of working in public spaces and time restrictions; these reflect constraints that could be found in a professional environment.
Students were also involved in the editing process and this: shootingbuildings.com is the final edit.
Students said:
'The Shooting Buildings photography project had given them more confidence and enthusiasm for photography.'
'Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, I learnt a lot and had a great experience, it also gave me a kind of job experience too which is great.'
Following on from “Shooting Buildings”
In addition to photographs being showcased on the website, pictures from last year’s Shooting Buildings Project, 2007 have been used for Wallace Collection publicity, including on being used as the cover image for the Wallace Collection Key stage 4 & 5 Schools Brochure.
Following The Shooting Buildings Project, 2008 some students have entered their photographs into an Academy photography competition and all plan to include them in their GCSE coursework.
