MAiLOUT PHOTOWORKS -INCLUDE Just Do It

INCLUDE Just Do It At Watershed was a series of experimental photography workshops, which took place at Watershed Media Centre, Bristol, where participants were encouraged to make images using only torches and masking tape in total darkness.

Year 10 and 11 students on INCLUDE, the alternative education organisation for young people excluded from mainstream education worked with Watershed education staff, a former artist in residence and a team of intrepid volunteers.

The technique used for the project was developed by artist Ralph Colmar during his residency at Watershed the previous summer, and he led the workshops.

Sketches made around the building were translated onto a large black sheet using masking tape, to act as a guide for the light from assorted bicycle lights and torches to follow once the lights were out. With a camera on a tripod, its shutter held open for as long as each drawing with light took to make, this was a time and patience consuming process.

Despite some challenging behaviour, most of the young people responded well to this unusual method of image making and there were some imaginative and high quality images produced. This represented a steep learning curve in terms of creativity, teamwork, communication, and social skills.

Following processes of evaluation, editing and sequencing, the young people were rewarded for their efforts by being able to view their own slide show of projected images in the cinema, running with a sound track of their choice.

Later in the year, a 'graduate' group was formed of INCLUDE young people who had participated in one workshop and wanted to develop work further. A series of digital workshops and drop-in sessions introduced the young people to Photoshop and web authoring, and together with tutor Rowena Dugdale, a new INCLUDE web site was created to publish selected images online. Young people found this part of the project absorbing and enjoyable, often working in total silence with their computers, stopping only for sugar and nicotine breaks.
Certificates were given to all participants of the project as a record of achievement.
The web site can be viewed at www.watershed.co.uk/include