Use The Negative to Develop

Firstly, I must apologise the lack of updates on this blog but then again who actually reads? Times have been up and down to say the least, and that has played with my mental well being, especially when it has come to my photographic practice. For many years, I have concentrated on giving 100% to my passion and this is my source of income as a professional photographer. However, the pandemic has made me stop and think about sustainability within the photographic industry and just what is it all about and for what?

There’s that photographic quote “Life is like photography, you use the negative to develop” or at least that’s what it used to be like in the good ole days of film. That’s when photography really stood out as crafted technique. Nowadays, there are millions of people around the world who now use digital tools whether it is a camera or a smart phone device and life is captured in an instance. Nothing wrong with that, it’s how photography evolves.

We are constantly creating and exposing everyday mundane aspects of our lives disseminating them second by second onto social media platforms for the world to see, thus making the photograph ubiquitous. What is interesting during this digital age of reproduction we are now open to interpretation more than ever and original works of art rare.

On the negative side, I feel consumed by the amount of images presented to me. These images are all simulating a formula of different ideologies. And not only do we live in a sea of images but over the years I have seen an influx in “photographers” and citizen journalism. What that means, is that we can now be present anywhere in the world without even being there. However, being there means you get to capture the moment that potentially gets noticed by industry professionals, even if it is considered not a work of art. But you captured something no one else did. Therefore, I question where does skill, experience and a lifelong dedication fall into place these days?

You might argue, her thoughts stem from negativity to anyone taking photographs and you would be so wrong. I am just merely pointing out observations that has caught my attention over a period of time. To support my opinion, there are many photographers who’s work is incredible and often goes un-noticed perhaps due to a weak intent, then there are those who shout from the roof top with a strong intent and rather a weak image. Where do we draw the line and see the photographic image for the art it is?

On the positive side the digital possibilities are exciting. Learning to adapt and embrace the medium, and to give clear intent as a creative photographer. I have developed the ability to tell stories and the skills to post-process my own work using the digital darkroom.

When I see similar genres featured in photographic magazines, online and in articles. It raises my awareness that the work I create needs a lot of interaction to help promote it. However, as many photographers are paying to have the chance to feature in such things as ‘open calls’ and ‘online galleries’, I wonder if money wasn’t an object would I do the same? After all, many of those featured are seen by industry professionals.

With self-promotion in mind. For those who follow my Instagram @bevvypix may have recently seen the feature in The Tenby Observer about how a “local photographer turns her skill into a fascinating story.” And featuring doesn’t stop there as the Stuck in Plastic team have been included in The Hermitage Amsterdam. Plus we ( SiP) /I have been featured on many occasions by our dear friends at The LEGO Group on there social media platforms.

To bring inanimate objects to life is an amazing skill and the LEGO Group certainly recognise this. And yet, I personally feel this skill often goes unrecognised outside of the toy photography world. Saying that, perhaps as some adults get older, they forget the importance of play and their creative imagination slowly diminishes with time.

For me, toy photography has provided me with wider opportunities to be able to showcase my work on various platforms. Honestly, you don’t have to understand my reasons for choosing this endearing subject, you just have to look at incredible photographs and ask yourself are you or could you be inspired?

Talking of paying to have a chance to be seen in by industry professionals. I entered eight images to Source Magazine from my post graduate final major show at the Falmouth University Institute of Photography. As part of my Photography Degree, I created a series of photograms and the results can be viewed at Source Graduate Photography Online 2021 . Will they ever attract global attention, who knows? And more to the point who else really cares? All I know is that I am very pleased to have the opportunity to be featured. And truth be told, they are pretty impressive printed on a larger scale.

During my degree, even thou I produced this body of work in a physical exhibition, the decision to create my own online gallery allowed the viewer to virtually walk around and enjoy the artwork. Link to the virtual gallery can be found via over at Beverley Thomas Photography website Photosynthesis

Even thou I have a variety if different bodies of work some are yet to be seen, that bothers me and I raise the issue of why they not being notice? Sometimes I think it isn’t the actual work, its about the lack of support. That lack of support as I negatively suggest, is represented by uncredited work on platforms such as Facebook, from education sectors overlooking my capabilities and financial support to enter so many contests.

On the positive side I am truly grateful to The LEGO Group, my team at Stuck in Plastic for the opportunity to grow and develop, and to my local newspaper for featuring my work on a regular basis.

A selection of my work can be discovered on https://linktr.ee/Bevvypix