COMMUNITY PROJECTS

PROJECT DATES: 2020 / 21

COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY & BOOK PROJECT – FINDING LIGHT / CONTINUOUS VOICES

AIM OF THE PROJECT: The Finding Light photography course and book was part of the City of Ballarat initiative Continuous Voices. A 6 week course, it was accessible to anyone with a camera – phone, point and shoot or DSLR. The course centered around learning to see light, noticing the role shadows play in celebrating light and learning rules of composition. Participants we welcomed into the course as creative people, rather than survivors, allowing them to try on a new identity. Throughout the course as participants learnt, they photographed in their own time, to themes of their own interest. The subsequent photos were collated into a book, with 50 initial copies printed. The book sold out at the book launch with all proceeds going to Loud Fence. The book has now had it’s second print run and is being continued by Loud Fence, to support their work with survivors of sexual abuse. If you’d like to support this project by purchasing a book, please contact loudfence@bigpond.com

PROJECT DATES: JULY / AUGUST 2017

COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT – WE ARE NOW PHOTOGRAPHERS

AIM OF THE PROJECT: Pinarc Disability Services wanted to create an exhibition for the Ballarat Internatioal Foto Biennale, which they called “We are now Photographers”. We ran a series of 3 workshops were Pinarc clients photographed each other and the final images were then chosen for print and display during BIFB 2017. We helped develop the idea around “how the world sees me” and “how I see myself” highlighting the creativity and individuality of each of the members of the group. We set up a mini studio on site at Pinarc and guided the group as they photographed each other. What resulted was a vibrant and engaging series of images which were on display at the Eastwood Leisure Centre.

PROJECT DATES: 2017 / 2018

COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT – IT TAKES COURAGE

AIM OF THE PROJECT: This project was initiated by Women’s Health Grampians, with the aim of upskilling multicultural women in the Ballarat area through a creative project. Our involvement includes running photography workshops, teaching light, composition, camera settings, food photography and post production. The final result of the project was a book of recipes from the women involved, along with a corresponding website and social media channels to market the book.

The group consisted of about 20 women from 15 different countries around the world, all now residents of Ballarat.

The book sold out it’s first published run and is now in it’s second edition. The group became so connected, they established “A Pot of Courage” – an incorporated organisation that supports multicultural women in Ballarat, running their own catering business and more.

PROJECT DATES: TERM 2 2017

COMMUNITY PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT – SCHOOL BASED PHOTOGRAPHY CHALLENGES WITH HEART

AIM OF THE PROJECT: Throughout Term 2 we taught weekly workshops to a select group of students at Phoenix P-12 College. The aim was not only to teach photography skills, but also to show how creativity can make a difference on a local level. The students were divided into two groups, with one paired up with Wala Animal Sanctuary and the other group paired up with the YMCA recranked bike recycle program. Students learnt photography skills, then took site visits to each of these organisations to capture the essence of the organisation. The images were then uploaded to our website and shared on social media to raise awareness. A selection of the best images were also printed and exhibited at Backspace Gallery in Ballarat, where the work was sold, with 100% of the sales going back to the organisations the students worked with.

PROJECT DATES: APRIL SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2017

COMMUNITY VIDEO PROJECT – YOUTH PHONE FILM MAKING HOLIDAY PROGRAM

AIM OF THE PROJECT: They Pyrenees Shire wanted to enable students to learn how to tell their stories via their mobile phone devices. We taught two groups – one in Beaufort and one in Avoca, over 3 days each in the April School holidays. Throughout the three days they learnt how to use their mobile phones to film, use specially designed phone film making equipment like lenses, tripods, gimbals and microphones, phone video editing software and basic story telling techniques. They then had a period of 8 weeks to go away and finish their films. Of 15 participants, 7 final films of 2-3 minutes duration were produced covering stop motion animation, horror, documentary, gaming, comedy and film noir. The films were screened at Crowlands cinema to a full house.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PARTNERING WITH US FOR A CREATIVE PROJECT?

If you have an idea… or even just a hint of an idea… get in touch!

Email Michelle at hello@withcamerainhand.com.au

If you want to know more about Michelle’s experience and photography / video work, check out our About page, or visit her website