Photography students from Bracknell and Wokingham College learnt new skills and techniques by taking part in workshops on Tuesday 14 January.
Students studying the Creative Practice Photography: Art, Design and Communication Level 3 Extended Diploma at the Church Road campus took part in Kids in Focus workshops by Sony.
Sony generously donated six Alpha 6100 cameras, accompanied by bags, lenses and memory cards to the course area. This invaluable contribution is set to benefit both current and future photography students, enhancing their assignments and creative exploration.
The students were split up into four groups, enabling them to all join in with the workshops, which ran at the same time and then they switched.
They joined in with a fun, interactive workshop run by Sony鈥檚 Technical Training Manager, Sam Pilling, who caught the students鈥� imaginations and opened their eyes to the world of photography.
Sam鈥檚 session focused on the use of the cameras and how students can create some amazing shots using the camera鈥檚 capabilities. Much fun was had with nerf guns and bubble machines and light wands, bringing to life all the effects that can be created with photography. The students were able to handle and play with the cameras to get a feel for them and what they can do.
The students were then treated to a fascinating presentation with multi award-winning and world-renowned commercial portrait photographer, Tom Oldham. Tom has photographed many high-profile figures in his career, as well as being an official Sony Imaging Ambassador. He spent an hour showing the students examples of his work while sharing some valuable tips, advice and many funny stories. The students were free to ask lots of questions and were thoroughly engaged!
Sony also invited the students to participate in a photographic competition, titled Preserving the Ecosystems. The winning entry, to be announced in April, not only stands to gain recognition for their talent, but will also secure a 拢250 donation from Sony to the Worldwide Fund for Nature, which supports wilderness preservation and the reduction of human impact on the environment. The winner will additionally receive a framed print of their winning image, with an extra framed print for display at the college.
Owen Birchmore, 16, from Ascot, is studying a Creative Practice Photography: Art, Design and Communication Level 3 Extended Diploma at Bracknell and Wokingham College.
He said: 鈥淚 thought it was really useful. A once in a lifetime experience!
鈥淢y favourite part was being able to experience the new mirrorless cameras, and all the settings, which was amazing.
鈥淲e learnt how to use the cameras and take our photos off them easily. There are some students in my class who don鈥檛 have access to a computer, so it was useful to know that there鈥檚 an app that we can use to get them straight off the camera.
鈥淚t was mind opening to hear from Tom Oldman and hear what it鈥檚 like on-the-job because we don鈥檛 know what it鈥檚 like so we鈥檙e shooting images how we want to, whereas Tom is shooting to a brief and has to work with clients, PR people and his team.鈥�
Nicholas Brewer, Photography Lecturer at 精东影业, said: 鈥淭he Kids in Focus workshops were absolutely brilliant! The students have been really inspired by the tales of industry and the enthusiasm that the Sony team have bought. I suspect that this will be one of the students鈥� highlights.
鈥淭he students have learnt to be proactive and grab every opportunity that comes their way.
鈥淭he cameras will enable the students to experiment using them in a safe and confident manner for their own projects for college, which makes a huge difference.鈥�
Tom Oldham, Photographer, Tom Oldham Photography, said: 鈥淗uge thanks to the community of photographers and creatives for welcoming me and the Sony team so warmly.
鈥淭o meet such motivated and engaged creatives makes our job so much easier. The inquisitive students were ready to learn. I praise the teaching staff for promoting an atmosphere of creativity and enthusiasm.
鈥淭he next generation of photography will be safe in their hands, of this I am certain!鈥�
Sam Pilling, Technical Training Manager at Sony Europe, said: 鈥淏racknell and Wokingham College is investing in the future of incredibly talented students.
鈥淲ith the enthusiasm and inventiveness I experienced at the event, I continue to see the opportunities to be part of these events, and how this talent can be nurtured with partnerships.
鈥淚t is incredibly rewarding for us. Thank you for letting us be part of that.鈥�
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