Nottingham

Jackie Topham

Jackie Topham, studio setup, Trent Polytechnic early 1980s.

One of my fellow “last Diploma in Photography” students at Trent Polytechnic taken in approx 1980/81. After our year group the course changed to a degree level one as the Polytechnic moved towards becoming a University.

For some reason root vegetables were over represented in still life work, not sure why.

Jackie is using a Weston Euromaster light meter to work out exposure, an essential tool in fully manual photography. We were incredibly fortunate to learn all manual photography from the ground up.

Dancing class

 

 

Image taken in the main hall of the Nottingham YMCA during a dancing class. Im drawn to this image as it is so “quiet”.

This was part of a second year photo documentary project at Trent Polytechnic. Taken in either 1981 or 1982.

In retrospect photographing the raw energy and chaos of the younger classes and the more refined formal dancing of the older classes gave me a spectrum of images reflective of life’s progression. 


The learning process
giving space to enjoyment

 

Saturday night

The Palais in Nottingham in 1982 or 83. Part of my nightlife project as a photography student at Trent Polytechnic. Hand held photography at night using film was not overly easy.

Kiev 4A camera, 50mm lens. Likely shot wide open (f2.8) 1/25th of a second,  HP5 film plus extended development

Euan Duff

Euan Duff. Photography course leader
I found Euan to be an inspirational teacher. You can see some of his work here.
Trent Polytechnic. Nottingham.

I have only recently found out that Euan studied photography at the London College of Printing in the same year alongside Tony Stone.

Tony was a strong influence on me also after I joined his photolibrary as a duper in the darkrooms, it was however my decision to take my photography in a more commercial direction. As always, something gained and something lost.

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