TODAY IS THE DAY!!!

Today's the day for all the entries to be in. You have until 12pm tonight so get them sent over to ypc@hca.ac.uk! We have had some amazing entries over the weekend and are still getting lots today so send yours in and you could be in a with a chance of winning one of the AMAZING prizes non offer!

Only 2 more days to go!!!

I have been getting so many AMAZING photos sent in over the last few days I just can't keep up! Keep them coming as we still have 2 more days until the deadline!!

Lovely photo from 9 year old Louise Cathryn Church

Lovely bit of light coming through on 14 year old Jay William's entry.

6 days to go until the deadline! Get your entries in!!

A lovely bit of photoshopping from Rhys Phillips

Amazing entry from budding photographer Abii Birkett! 

She's only 15 but she has a fantastic collection of cameras and photo equipment. I feel very jealous!

Banks on Photo Finish

 













An interview with Megan Banks

Megan Banks advances her career by taking on a BA (Hons) Photography Course at Hereford College of Arts. Read our interview with Megan and check out her awesome blog at 'It's like Meg' here

Previous High School: Earl Mortimer College, Leominster

Why did you choose to come to HCA:

It gave me a chance to do something I love and I wanted to find where my art could take me and what careers it could lead to.

What have been the highlights for you over the past 2 years:

In the 2^nd year you really start to understand the importance of all the experimenting and finding out about a whole range of art & design subjects you do in the first year, because you are constantly learning.  Whatever you do here influences how you think and you take that all with you in the second, specialist year. It means you have a greater level of confidence to work on self -initiated projects.

Anything you have been particularly proud about whilst on the course

I’ve had quite a few opportunities to exhibit my work – it’s a good feeling to know people are looking at my work, and hopefully like it.  I’m pretty proud of my final portfolio too.

How would you describe the culture and atmosphere at the College:

Everyone is gets along.  They are really open to individual ideas and opinions and you never feel like you are being judged. 

What you would you say to someone thinking about doing the course:

If you want to try out new way of learning and new experiences – this course delivers!

What advice would you give someone in Year 10 or 11:

You have to have an interest in art & design to start with but because of all the different pathways and the support you get from tutors a whole range of possibilities open up for you.

What do you plan to do when you leave the course:

I’ve been offered a place at HCA to study BA (Hons) Photography

And long-term plans:

To have a really successful photography business and develop a unique style of photography.

Some delightful new photos from the talented Ryan Upperton!

Some more lovely entries...

 A beautifully delicate photo from 15 year old Drew Harrison

 

A wonderful close up from 18 year old Megan Crapper!

An Interview with Winner of Student Street Photographer of the Year - Jake Burge

An Interview with Jake Burge

Q: So you’re the winner of Student Street Photographer of the Year 2012, how does it feel to have won such a prestigious award?

A: To be in the final 6 was a great surprise, but to win was an even bigger surprise as the other photographers in the final were all very good. The same can be said for the other award I was picked for (Flash Forward Emerging Artist 2012) this one may even be more of an achievement for me as it was not a student award and meant I was picked alongside more experienced up and coming photographers.

Q: Did you always want to become a photographer?

A: No not really, I only took a keen interest after travelling to Japan. When I returned I took a risk and decided to quit my job in Manchester and study photography back home in Hereford. 

Q: What influences you?

A: hmm hard to pin point that, anything that catches my eye from shapes and colours to old records covers kitsch design,  architecture, mundane objects, life.

Q: How would you describe your photographic style?

A: The opposite to instagram, although this could change.

Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven't already?

A: My dream would be to photograph the actor Bill Murry for the day. If he is busy, going to space with a roll of film would be good.

Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you use it within your work?

A: Personally I think there is nothing wrong with it if you are creative, I’m more interested in the finished work rather than technicalities of how it was made. For my photo work I don’t use manipulation apart from tweaking in the light room . Although I have used Photoshop to layer some photos if that counts.

Q: How technical is your photography?

A: I don’t see my photos as being so technical; I like the fact that anyone with a camera could shoot the same thing as me. It’s just a matter of what you chose and why you chose to photograph something rather than how technical an image was to make.

Q: How do you promote yourself?

A: This is something I need to do work on…I currently have a website www.snap-dash.co.uk and a little tumblr blog.

Most of my promotion at the moment is by making sure my name and website is shown when my photos are used. 

Q: What advice would you give to young people interested in pursuing a career within Photography?

A: Don’t be shy to show your photos or send them into a competition, even if you don’t win your name and photos are being seen by professionals…I have entered a fair few so don’t be put off if you don’t hear anything back. And don’t forget to take the lens cap off.


Here's a few more Photographs from Jake Burge below, but also check out his website www.snap-dash.co.uk 

50 Most 'Outstanding Photographers’ Portfolios For Inspiration

If your thinking about entering the Young Photographer of the Year Competition 2013. Take a look at this website, it showcases 50 of the most talented photographers out there. This is bound to inspire you all!

http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/inspiration/photographers-portfolio/ 

BLUE CITY BY STEVE McCURRY

I was blown away by this series of photos from Steve McCurry entitled Blue City. It captures the magic of a city on the edge of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. These photos look almost dreamlike. You can't believe there is such a colourful  place in the world. Why aren't all cities so bright?

 

Happy Tuesday everyone!

 

 

We have two fantastic exhibitions on at HCA this weekend. One is FORGED a celebration of 20 years of Blacksmiths at Hereford College of Arts. You can see 6-foot iron flowers and a metal peacock next to some beautiful jewellery and a swirly sculpture. As well as that we also have a student showcase that shows off the best of our students who left last year. Here's some photos to give you a sneaky peek....

The college will be open from 11am to 5pm so come along and say hello!

 

Some wonderfully magical and mysterious photos sent in from Honey McKenna, keep them coming guys!

If you turn a photo of bats hanging from a ceiling upside down then it looks like they are having a crazy dance-off. Brilliant! This has cheered up my Friday afternoon sooooo much!

Lovely photo from the very talented Hannah Thimm. This reminds me of my cat Poppy and her love for ham!

Beautiful image sent in from 15 year old Harry Jones. What a fantastic moment to capture!

Got this amazing photo from 14 year old William Green this morning and I have to say, William you have absolutely smashed it! I love this one, it has brightened up my day!!

 

Portraiture is always a popular technique with the Young Photographer competition and this year is no exception. We have had some beautiful images sent in from many young people and here is a sneak preview of just a few of them. (Above: Photo by Aimee Goldsmith)

 

 

Kerensa Morris

 

 Chloe Jones

 Joanna Ruth Payton

ENTRIES ARE FLOODING IN NOW!

In the last few days we have had some amazing photos flood in for this years competition. Thought I would give you a sneaky peek of some of the ones I had today....

 Fantastic photo from the very talented Isobel Farkas taken from a recent holiday to Budapest.

Absolutely love this close up from Tierney Hill, the detail in it is amazing.

 

Another wonderful bubble-tastic image from 12 year old Cerys Lacy.