The Top Floor Flat

Were you in Shoreditch yesterday? You may have unwittingly have been a model for me as I trolled the area looking for victi… er, subjects during my Shoot Experience Documentary Photography workshop. From Old Street to Brick Lane, my camera confused, creeped out and occasionally complimented various tourists and locals as I attempted to get the perfect shot.

Saturday was day one of the two day workshop and we began bright and early, the seven of us around a table in a sunny Shoreditch loft to talk about what makes appealing photographs. Soon, however, it was time to put the theoretical to the test and we each embarked on an individual field trip to practice approaching individuals in the street and asking to take their photo. Now imagine for a moment that you’re walking down the street, minding your own business, and someone stops you to ask if they can take your photo. What are the immediate thoughts that run through your mind? Stalker, pervert and sub-par blogger are all possibilities. Fortunately Shoreditch is a particularly trendy area of London so I imagine most people’s reaction was closer too “ooh I look pretty today” but it was hard to shake what would have been my initial reaction and reconcile that with what I was out doing. Of course, the idea of the workshop was to practice the skills needed to become an better photojournalist and by the end of the exercise I was feeling slightly more confident (or feeling the pressure of running out of time without getting my shots). Here are some of the individuals I met that day:

After looking at each other’s photos, lunch and a discussion about the types of shots that make up a photographic documentary piece, we then left as a group to explore Brick Lane and view the famous area as if we were shooting for a food photo documentary piece. Out in the field, we discussed examples of opening shots, details, portraits and more while getting very, very hungry. Here are some of my favourite snaps from the afternoon.

Delicious Brick Lane: Man Carving Cured Meat

Deicious Brick Lane: Open Wide for the Paella

Deicious Brick Lane: Gluten Free Goodness

Of course what academic pursuit would be complete without some homework? Our assignment before the next class in two weeks is to decide on our own subject for a photo documentary and capture shots that can then be edited by the others in the group when we return. While awaiting inspiration, I’ll be increasingly snap happy as I travel through London to get the most out of the second half of the workshop.

Shoot Experience has a number of workshops for photographers as well as photo scavenger hunts for locals or tourists. Check out all of their upcoming events at the Shoot Experience website.