Jake Williamson

Today on the OP we are featuring another talented photographer! Jake’s work covers many topics but they are currently venturing into the Queer Photography scene more!

Keep reading to find out more…

Q1: What is your Name, Age, and Where are you based?

A:My name is Jake Williamson, I’m 19 years old and I’m studying in London.

Q2: How did you first get into your creative practice/ work?

A: Being creative came to me during high school, I started doing photography as a GCSE
and that’s when I started my creative journey.

Q3: Are there any main or overarching themes you explore in your work?

A: My work over the last few years has always had a political point of view. From domestic
abuse, Nazism, Racism, Feminism, and Pollution. I am currently getting further into the
fetish and Queer photography scene.

Q4: How has the COVID- 19 Pandemic affected your work?

A: Covid-19 was a scooter to the ankle for us creatives that sometimes struggle with
finding motivation. My university work went through to lockdown… which was fine…
for a day… the sense of being in a working environment is something I heavily admire.
So being in a bedroom in Norfolk just wasn’t cutting it for me.

Q5: Highlight one of your biggest inspirations!

A:When it comes to inspirations, Muses, and people I heavily admire, Pete Burns would be
in my top 3. A man who put his fingers up to conforming and lived his life the way he
wanted. He spoke his mind and did everything for himself. I appreciated him before he
died and will continue to do so.

‘Dead Or Alive’- Pete Burns.

Q6: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

A:When I get asked where I see myself in 5 years, I panic. I haven’t got a bloody clue! I
have a rough idea of what I want to do. Something on the lines of styling and
photography would be lovely. As long as I’m happy!

Q7: If you could share a message with the world, what would it be?

A: If I was to have a motto that everyone would hear, it would be “Don’t be a hater dear”.
What people dress in, identify as, or who they sleep with or love, has absolutely nothing
to do with you…

You can find and support Jake at their Instagram!

-THANKYOU FOR READING-

James Greenhalgh

Seeing us into the new month of July is a fresh Artist Feature with London based photographer James Greenhalgh!

Keep Reading to find out more about his work based around Identity and Masculinity and creative inspirations…

Q1: What is your Name, Age, and Where are you based?

A: I’m James Greenhalgh, 21 and I’m based in London.

Q2: How did you first get into your creative practice/ work?

A: I first got into photography by total mistake. I had never studied anything creative at school and I thought I was going to be a computer scientist. I had to pick my A-Levels and one of the subjects I selected (Anthropology) was removed from the curriculum because not enough people picked the subject so I was pulled into my head of year’s office to quickly pick another random subject. I selected photography as I thought it might be a cool skill to learn but I thought I was going to focus on my more academic subjects. My teachers then introduced me to artists such as Wolfgang Tillmans and Nan Goldin; suddenly I saw how photography was able to communicate emotions, stories, and people’s experiences in a way that words can’t achieve. From there I started working on how I could use photography to capture my own identity and the people around me.

Q3: Are there any main or overarching themes you explore in your work?

A: My work explores my identity, in particular, how the way men challenge and express their masculinity has changed as we grow up in a generation where identity expression is more fluid and the traditional archetype of ‘Man’ is developing.

Q4: How has the COVID- 19 Pandemic affected your work?

A: COVID-19 has resulted in my graduation show being massively altered, final major university project being rushed to completion, and job prospects being put on hold indefinitely or canceled. I’ve taken this time to look back over my archive and reflect on what I’ve been creating, I’ve done a couple shoots over video call but for the most part, I just can’t wait to get back into the studio and creating work again.

Q5: Highlight one of your biggest inspirations!

A: David Armstrong: I was introduced to David’s work really late in my university degree and I only wish I found his work earlier. His portraits of people he encountered in his life (friends, lovers, and even acquaintances who left an impact on him) are so simplistic but through them, you start to see the life of David come through the images. He was also Nan Goldin’s flatmate for a long time (who’s work really inspired me when I was younger) and it was super interesting to research how they collaborated on different projects as their photographs tell similar stories of identity expression through other people.

Q6: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

A: In 5 years time, I hope to be working with amazing designers, stylists, artists and models for magazines and fashion campaigns. I’m currently working for other photographers and hope to follow in their footsteps.

Q7: If you could share a message with the world, what would it be?

A: Please listen to your Black friends when they share their experiences of racism, don’t argue, just listen. If you need a place to start your research into racial inequality, read “Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge or “White Fragility” by Robin DiAngelo or if you need a short book to get you started, read “Dark Days” by James Baldwin. Black Lives Matter.

To see more of James’ amazing photography work visit his website… james-greenhalgh.com

Or Instagram ! Where there is also a link to his BA Degree show!

Thankyou So Much For Reading, see you again soon…

Francesca Thornton

!!IT’S THE WEEKEND!!

Lets have another Artist Feauture shall we! This week we are in conversation with Music Photographer Francesca, talking about Gigs, artwork, and how the Pandemic is effecting her along with many other creatives!…

Q1: What is your name, age, and where are you based?

A: Francesca, 22 and I’m based in Brighton.

Q2: What is your creative practice/ Artwork?

A: I’m a music, live events and portraiture photographer, but I also pursue illustration on the side as a hobby.

Q3: Are there any main/ overarching themes you explore in your work?

A: I’ve always loved music growing up, and have always attended live gigs. I attended my first festival when I was 6 years old (It was Pop Beach in 2004 and the only memory I have of it is dancing to Girls Aloud – safe to say my taste has progressed since then!) and so from that experience music and live performance has become my main theme to my work; you’ll find me either working in the security pit at a festival, or sneaking my camera into the crowd at a gig. I love capturing the energy at gigs and live events, be it the artists on stage or the crowds attending. I love photographing people because you never run out of stories to tell in that one frame!

Q4: How has the COVID- 19 Pandemic affected your work?

A: COVID has drastically affected my work. My photography depends upon interacting with people in packed venues and live music – which are all canceled currently. What I wouldn’t give to be back at a gig or festival right now taking photos! I’ve also had to leave Brighton and return to my family home in Norfolk, so I no longer have the same connection to a city of vibrant people currently. However, it has led me to explore new avenues of work. I’ve taken to photographing the small, sleepy life of my little village, and it’s challenging in a new way, which I really enjoy. Who knew trying to get a clear, clean-cut photograph of a bee on a flower would be so hard? My photography at home however doesn’t have the same money demand as it did back in Brighton, and so I am missing out in terms of financial gains of my photography work – but it is helping me to boost my portfolio in new areas.

Lockdown has also led me to have more spare time, and I’ve been exploring illustration again. I had set up an online shop a while back and then hadn’t updated it in years. I’ve just now started sprucing it up with my new work, which is quite refreshing. I like being to have another creative avenue to explore when one is so people, high energy focused, and the other dependent upon time, patience and isolation. I guess photography and illustration reflect both my extrovert and introvert qualities – so I guess I could say it has been therapeutic… but I will be jumping at the first chance to photograph a gig!

Q5: Highlight one of your biggest inspiration!

A: In terms of portraiture photography I love Brandon Woelfel – he has such creative ways of capturing people and making his images look like you’ve just stepped into a dream scene.

Outside of photography, my general artistic inspiration is Vincent Van Gogh. Anyone who knows me knows I love Vincent! His work is so vibrant, imaginative, and the way he has converted all his pains and fears into such startlingly vivid works of art is astounding.

Q6: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

A: There are SO many different places I see myself. Ultimately I’d love to be signed to a band as their personal gig photographer and exploring the world with them on their tour. But then I also enjoy studying the arts, and there is a MA course in Museum Curation & Art History that has really piqued my interest, so I may end up working in a museum. Or I may become an English and Media teacher! I’m really open – as long as I’m doing something creative, I’ll be happy.

Q7: If you could share a message with the world, what would it be?

A: Do what makes you happy, and if it puts a little good into the world, then that is even better.

Check out more of Francescas work on Instagram @ francesca.thornton

-Or go to her Website – https://www.instagram.com/francesca.thornton/?hl=en

Thanks for Reading!!

Tilly Edgley

This week’s second post is a mini artist feature- from 19year old Photographer Tilly Edgley!

We couldn’t be more excited about Tilly’s work and to see where her talent takes her in the future!…

Q1: What is your Name, Age, and Where are you based?

A: My name is Tilly Edgley, I’m 19 years old and am based in Stoke Ferry, Norfolk.

Q2: What is your creative practice/ Artwork?

A: I’m currently studying a Level 3 Photography degree!

Q3: Are there any main themes you explore in your work?

A: Prior to photography I studied art and design, and have always been obsessed with Portraiture! From the very beginning, I ruled out anything landscape, still life etc… And knew that I wanted my work to be surrounding people. I have a lot of appreciation for things that have been well put together and the smallest of details have been considered. I think music is a good example of this and I’ve always found inspiration from album art, music videos and lyrics. They make for good prompts.

Q4: Highlight one of your biggest inspirations!

A: I actively address themes that other people tend not to. For example, I love images that make you feel uncomfortable, exposed but also intrigued. I like to pay attention to what people love to see and what they choose to avoid and make something that challenges that. One Artist who I take inspiration from is Tomas Xio Oliveras I love the style of their drawings, and always wondered how they would look as photos.

Q5: Where can you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

A: In 5 years time I would’ve finished uni, so hopefully I’ll be getting a job! As it stands right now I’d love to create images for magazines, go down a more editorial route. But I’m really open, my motives may change. I may want to create something more meaningful depending what takes my interests and what I feel needs addressing. Overall I just hope I’ll just be happy and enjoying whatever I’ve chosen to do!

If you want to see more of Tillys work and Support her, follow at @ tillytookthese

Thanks for Reading!!

LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2020!

Although many Pride events, marches+ meetings have been canceled this summer due to the current climate, Pride Month is still in full swing!

Here at the OP we fully support the LGBTQIA+ Community, so wanted to share some of our images from Norfolk Pride month in 2019, including KLWN Pride and Norwich Pride!

-HAPPY PRIDE-