CNS Coast Watch

JEREMY WEBB - course tutor

There are few complaints more deflating to the best intentions of a photography tutor than “I don't know what to photograph”. Thankfully, the mixed-age students of this group just got on with it; brimming with ideas, fully alive to the notion of the big wide world out there, and sensitive to the wisdom that as photographers, you simply have to be open to possibility and chance.

The group made my role very simple. After initial briefing meetings last September we’d head out towards Weybourne or Wells on those sunny autumn Saturdays and find that many of their photographic intentions were so strong that all I had to do was help to shape or guide their development according to their authors’ own artistic goals.

I needn't have worried about “hunting in packs” either - that phenomenon whereby large groups of photographers all set out as a group and all photograph the same landmarks as they remain stuck together. Far too much independent thought and way too much enthusiasm and sheer curiosity going on here for that to have happened.

Mid-week emails between us allowed the group members to show images captured during the previous weekend’s coastal visits. I provided some feedback to these, kept in touch with their ideas and intentions, and noticed a real sense of progression as each of the location Saturdays delivered better and better results.

Even though the group weren’t “officially” scheduled to meet during the winter months, its storms and icy, wind-blasted North Sea gales managed to inspire a few visits to the coast for several group members during some of the most chilling weather imaginable.

And so, almost invisibly, winter turned into spring and with images gathered, the editing and production stage began. There were always a few technical queries along the way, but artistic endeavour and the determination to achieve photographic style overcome the barriers. I feel that the work really took shape during the 4 digital image editing Saturdays which were kindly hosted by the Norwich School of Art and Design in their wonderful AppleMac suite.















Clear and strong visions have emerged - as evidenced by the range and variety of work the group have produced. It has been interesting to see the differing approaches to subject matter and style which emerge between sons and mothers, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, as they seemed to pick up something useful from each other - always one of the best functions of any group. And this group really delivered.

Jeremy Webb
For more information please contact
Thea Abbott, Community Learning Coordinator CNS, Eaton Road, Norwich, NR4 6PP
01603 274050
t.abbott@cns-school.org