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Finding Focus

Finding Focus

By Christina Webber

Finding Focus is a series of informal conversations attempting to reveal the processes of contemporary photographers in Scotland today. The aim of these discussions is to go some way toward demystifying the creative industries, providing an exploration of the bits of photography that you don't often hear about in ticketed artist talks - how to talk about your work, stay motivated, meet other artists, look after yourself, build community and make money along the way. Plus plenty of tangents! Each photographer will also go into a bit of detail about a project that I ask them to introduce.
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6 | Dave Ferrie on 'The River isn't Yellow in Winter'

Finding FocusSep 04, 2020

00:00
30:16
6 | Dave Ferrie on 'The River isn't Yellow in Winter'

6 | Dave Ferrie on 'The River isn't Yellow in Winter'

In this episode (recorded in January) I talk to Dave Ferrie ahead of completing his recently self-published book: The River isn't Yellow in Winter. We discuss the tension between man-made spaces and nature, photographing China, his shift into colour photography, and pit the experience of a photo book against that of an exhibition.

You can buy the book and stalk Dave online here.

A note on audio: apologies - I'm aware of the problems with background noise during the interviews and will record future episodes in a quieter environment. Hopefully for now it can be a nice bit of pub ASMR for everyone in lockdown! For those with hearing impairments, or for anyone who wants visuals to accompany this chat, this episode is available as a subtitled video on Youtube here.

A word of warning: all episodes will more than likely contain swearing, this is part of the informal nature of these dialogues. Please take this into account if explicit language is likely to offend.

Sep 04, 202030:16
5 | Artist Spotlight: Dave Ferrie

5 | Artist Spotlight: Dave Ferrie

In this episode I talk to Dave Ferrie about a variety of things: not going to art school, his journey self-publishing photo books and zines, receiving critique for the first time and the whole point of taking pictures. You can stalk Dave online here.

* A note on audio: apologies - I'm aware of the problems with rising background noise, hopefully it can be a nice bit of pub ASMR for everyone in lockdown.

* For those with hearing impairments, or for anyone who wants visuals to accompany this chat, this episode is available as a subtitled video on YouTube here.

* A note on language: all episodes will more than likely contain swearing, this is part of the informal nature of these dialogues. Please take this into account if explicit language is likely to offend.

Stay tuned for Episode 5 to hear about Dave's book: The River Isn't Yellow in Winter.

Aug 27, 202032:54
4 | Erin Semple on: 'twenty-four'

4 | Erin Semple on: 'twenty-four'

In this episode I display absolutely terrible interviewing skills and mainly talk AT Erin Semple about her project twenty-four, with tangents on the labour of arguing with men on the internet, Peter Pan's shadow, and how a gallery with walls to fill should promptly exhibit Erin's work.

You can see the full project and stalk Erin online here.

A note on audio: apologies - I'm aware of the problems with background noise during the interviews and will record future episodes in a quieter environment. Hopefully for now it can be a nice bit of pub ASMR for everyone in lockdown! For those with hearing impairments, or for anyone who wants visuals to accompany this chat, this episode is available as a subtitled video on Youtube here.

A word of warning: all episodes will more than likely contain swearing, this is part of the informal nature of these dialogues. Please take this into account if explicit language is likely to offend.

Aug 05, 202021:46
3 | Artist Spotlight: Erin Semple

3 | Artist Spotlight: Erin Semple

In this episode I talk to Erin Semple about a variety of things: the importance of a 'support group', understanding that even 'successful' artists most likely wait tables, the New Photographers' Guild, the implications of gender on creating/justifying work, and shooting on film. You can stalk Erin online here.

* A note on audio: apologies - I'm aware of the problems with rising background noise, hopefully it can be a nice bit of pub ASMR for everyone in lockdown. 

* For those with hearing impairments, or for anyone who wants visuals to accompany this chat, this episode is available as a subtitled video on Youtube here.

* A note on language: all episodes will more than likely contain swearing, this is part of the informal nature of these dialogues. Please take this into account if explicit language is likely to offend.

Stay tuned for Episode 4 to hear about Erin's project twenty-four.

Jul 28, 202026:22
2 | Zoe Hamill on 'Control'

2 | Zoe Hamill on 'Control'

In this episode I talk to Zoe Hamill about her current work-in-progress Control, with additional tangents on dressage, horse text books as bedtime stories, the names of horse bits, kinky sex stuff, 'Uncle Phil' from Fresh Prince and the necessary question of a project's production as part of its greater meaning. 

You can stalk Zoe online here.

A note on audio: apologies - I'm aware of the problems with background noise during the interviews and will record future episodes in a quieter environment. Hopefully for now it can be a nice bit of pub ASMR for everyone in lockdown! For those with hearing impairments, or for anyone who wants visuals to accompany this chat, this episode is available as a subtitled video on Youtube here.

A word of warning: all episodes will more than likely contain swearing, this is part of the informal nature of these dialogues. Please take this into account if explicit language is likely to offend.

Stay tuned for Episode 3 to hear from Erin Semple!

Apr 26, 202026:57
1 | Artist Spotlight: Zoe Hamill

1 | Artist Spotlight: Zoe Hamill

In this episode I talk to Zoe Hamill about a variety of things: the post-graduation abyss, the size of a pine-cone, photographing collections, getting a job in a gallery and the balance of working/volunteering/making pictures. You can stalk Zoe online here.

* A note on audio: apologies - I'm aware of the problems with background noise during the interviews and will record future episodes in a quieter environment. Hopefully for now it can be a nice bit of pub ASMR for everyone in lockdown! For those with hearing impairments, or for anyone who wants visuals to accompany this chat, this episode is available as a subtitled video on Youtube here.

* A note on lnaguage: all episodes will more than likely contain swearing, this is part of the informal nature of these dialogues. Please take this into account if explicit language is likely to offend.

Stay tuned for Episode 2 to hear about Zoe's current work-in-progress: Control.

Apr 24, 202028:11