Hands Exhibition Final

Blog Post Number Ten

This is the final selection of my photos for the Hands Exhibition, and the text from the poster that went on display as well :D I am really happy with how this exhibition and assignment has come together. It is on exhibit upstairs at the Civic Library from the 14/11/2011 until the 28/11/2011 and then at Belconnen Library from 28/11/2011 until the 12/11/2011. I would love if you are a local follower if you popped round to have a look.

Life’s Journey – Depicted through Hands

By Rachel Crampton Smith

As a student studying photography for three years, I have photographed many different things, all of which I believe have had an impact on my photographic journey. One of these things are hands, in 2010 I was set a narrative assignment, where the challenge was to take a photograph that told a story, not only to the photographer or the model, but to the viewer. This was the photograph that I took;

I feel that hands tell a story, sometimes more so than a person’s face. Hands have wrinkles, creases, cuts, scars, lumps and dents. Every different aspect and detail, there for a different reason, and every different detail meaning something different to the viewer. Some people are proud of their hands, have cared and nourished their hands their entire life, whereas others, this model for example, have certain stories and reasons to hide their hands, and do not intentionally put their hands out on show.

This sparked a fire for me, and made me begin observing life in a different light, looking at people’s hands, what they did with their hands, how they held their hands and what they held within their hands.

Earlier this year I was presented with the challenge, to create my own self-directed media assignment. This lead me to an avenue, a possibility to further broaden my interest with hands. Being a keen photographer I had worked in our school studio and in a commercial studio and had learnt about different lighting techniques.  I used these skills to create a range of different photographs. Both within the studio and on location with the aim to have the photos depicting the journey of life through hands. I compiled these images together, and then shortlisted them into my top ten. Although this is the culmination of my assignment I feel my journey has just begun.

These are the images :)