Tue 20 Sep 2011 Dulwich Picture Gallery Photos

Recently, I went and joined in a 2 day photography course; a place was offered to me through PGTB/Paxton Green Time Bank volunteering group; the course joins together 5 adults/and, 5 teenage young offenders to go and learn a subject of their own choice; in this case, the chosen subject was phot0graphy.

The young people offenders group consisted of 2 girls/and, 3 boys. 1 girl was white/the other girl was half-caste; and, there were 3 black boys/1 of which was light brown Jamaican/the other 2 were dark skinned, possibly, African. I cannot recall any of their exact names for now, unfortunately.

Our own PGTB members group consisted of 2 guys, me, and, and elderly white gentleman called, Eric, who always wears a suit; and, the rest were women, one woman was black/the others were white; again, I forgot their names; but, I remember seeing and meeting the black woman before.

I arrived at DWP/Dulwich Picture Gallery at 12:00 midday; we all stood around outside of the gallery, at first; -I recall passing the time standing up outside doing some skipping on DWP grass-; then, later on, moved inside into a classroom.

The photography tutor was a young black guy; looked to me to be around 20's/30's; and, he'd already gone and attended college/university to go and do photography studies; as well as, worked on his own. He introduced himself to us through a computer projector slideshow; where we viewed photos he'd taken on his web site.

http://www.adrian-wood.com

He had a few photographic equipments with him...

1 x long 'professional' type of really sturdy tripod with 3 telescopic thick legs.

1 x old style camera

3 x digital Cannon EOS SLR's

We were paired up into groups of around 6; and, were told to go outside and take photos. 2 groups each used one camera; with one group taking the other group members/then, vice versa.

Adrian himself used the old style camera to go take pics of us with.

Later, when we'd finished; we returned back into the classroom; and, viewed some of the pics.

Finally, at the end of the day, around 5PM; we were briefed to get ready for the final day of the course which would be in 2 days time, Thursday; the older members are to meet at DWP at 9.30 AM; when we will be transported off to the young people's school, Fairfax; to go spend the rest of the day 'editing' photos.

Frankly, I really don't know exactly what it is going to be like visiting a young offenders school; but, I'm trying my best not to think 'negative' about it; and, instead, simply, hope everything will turn out for the best...!

After all, when I was a teenager myself, I also went and dropped out of school; so, I don't feel totally out of my depth; and, can identify with these young people to some more or less degree.