We have started a new phase in Donaghey. (It’s great to be typing this.) The class combines some P5 who worked with me last time and a new group from P4. We first met last Thursday -Mrs Wilson has already battled some gremlins and we reconvened for our first proper day today. Instant camera portraiture and more formal photographic portraits with the SLR combined with self portraits and writing to get the conversation going.

Above: some familiar faces getting back to grips with the instant camera.

They photographed me and thought about composition, background, where I should be looking.

The instant camera work was a preparation for the more formal, composed portraits with an uncluttered background (they chose the whiteboard as a background).

The class also used words and/or drawings to make a self-portrait. It was a great way for them to introduce themselves – they were queuing up to talk about their work. There were a lot of stories about pets and families. This linked with the word for this phase: DWELL -more about that later. The next part of the session was about locating ourselves in the landscape using the school as a landmark.

Some people decided to have no words on their drawing -others used a lot of signage. I liked the contrasting thought processes. After this the children decided that they could divide into groups and work together to get a better result. They used big sheets of card and worked intently. There was lots of co-operation. Some people worked on the whiteboard. It was tricky to start with but then they got going. Mrs Wilson is right back in her stride again. Lots of great concentration from everyone and really promising beginnings. Looking forward to next time.