PRISMA Issue 3

by:AlexandraGodfrey

INSIDE THIS ISSUE OF PRISMA

PhotographyEditor: Lucile Belorgey

Doug Pensinger Fund: Gain an insight into the fast-paced nature of sports photography and the rewarding opportunities that the Doug Pensinger Photography Fund offers upcoming photographers.

Kingsbarns Scenic Locations: Only 8 miles from St Andrews, Kingsbarns beach is an accessible location for idyllic shoots. Its landscape offers chances to experiment in working with a universal backdrop.

Norwegian Winter Escape: A Scandinavian winter adventure retold in compositions and techniques

Explore how to best capture the Northern Lights or reindeers on the move in Norwegian city Tromsø.

ChineseNewYear:A reflection on the relationship between subject and photographer in the setting of the Chinese New Years Gala, highlighting the difference which expressions can make to the story of a photo

Sustainable Fashion: Leading up to the Charity Gala on March 9th, sustainable fashion has given many chances to explore promotional photography and the interaction between subject and surroundings

On the Team of Senders FC: Photography can open doors you never knew existed, and lead to many new friendships along the way. This journey to covering the Sunday League Football is a telling example

Editor-in-Chief-LouiseAnderbjörk

DeputyEditor-in-Chief-EleanorReid

PhotographyEditor-LucileBelorgey

EditorialEditor-AlexandraGodfrey

PhotographyEditor-CharlotteDavies

CopyEditor-RosieLeeson

MediaManager-MaggieZhu

editor@prismamagazine.co.uk

Photo:GeorgeCherry

Photo:AmandaMacEachen

Photo:YongpingDeng

Photo:AlexandraGodfrey

Photo:TristanSharman

Photo:AnniePritchett-Brown

Photo: George Cherry

CULTURAL PHOTOGRAPHY

EditorialEditor:Alexandra Godfrey

ALEXANDRA GODFREY

Hi everyone! For this month's editorial I will be speaking a bit about various sectors in photography, focusing on cultural photography. Cultural photography refers to an artist’s telling of a story through photos, specifically relating to various people and cultures It can capture social relationships or illustrate every-day life in various places Cultural photography is largely used in the media to reveal crises and encourage communication on difficult subjects. Much similar to cave paintings which narrated the livelihoods of many who came before us, photos offer insight into historical events as a primary source. However, this form of photography is not only a narration, but an art form Capturing these specific moments in time and focusing on certain subject matters can create emphasis on different social issues and people Isolating certain elements can transform a viewer’s understanding of the scenario. This is a powerful thing in a world that seemingly prefers physical, visual evidence over literature. Photographs can provide context and help create a ‘sense of the totality’ of an aspect of a scene Circling back to past expression of narratives, cave paintings were used to illustrate moments through a form of preservationwritten history Oral histories are often considered unreliable without significant proof or backing, whereas carvings, oftentimes, can be dated through radiocarbonation. Cultural photography, much like these paintings or carvings, can be considered a modern-day replacement for the ancient application of cave paintings This may be a broad comparison which could be categorized as radical, but the connection between visual imagery and recording histories is clear Many students in St Andrews are largely involved in photography, whether that be for local papers, events, or through focusing on landscape photography. Some students may have an interest in learning cultural photography at university, looking forward to potential future job opportunities in news reporting or otherwise

An example of a possibility to expand your portfolio in cultural photography or practice in this sector may be as simple as bringing your camera on an upcoming holiday. Focus on the people around you, the differences from your own culture and utilize your skills to depict the lifestyle you are experiencing while visiting said place Think about the people’s everyday routines, think about the nation’s politics, where they may be struggling with certain social reforms or in economic standstills Tell a story with your camera, or phone, without focusing on just getting a lovely landscape photo. Though there is great talent in nature photography,

if it is your main focus, exploring cultural photography may offer you the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone Even the UCU strikes offer the chance to capture various emotions of staff and students. Marches, parades, and other forms of public protest can be found more locally and are a great option for advancing skills in news photography, which often goes hand-in-hand with the cultural sector On a more educational note, there are many programs which offer engaging closer in cultural photography. Culture Shifts is a program which works with various photographers worldwide to create a sequence of images and implement them as photo stories These booklets offer an example of photography as more of a social practice, one which encourages change-making and highlighting communities. GRAIN is another training program which attempts to re-frame the norms associated with different cultures This organization offers a six week program for various professionals in museums or galleries to intensely consider the impact of photography which is more socially engaging, whether it be more blunt or in an artistic manner These are two prominent examples which represent the importance of cultural photography and the newfound recognition of its significant influence photography has on it’s viewers, especially when associated with an event or crisis.

Photo:AlexandraGodfrey

Photo: Alexandra Godfrey

PHOTO STORIES

DOUG PENSINGER SPORTS FUND

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

GEORGE CHERRY

When I came to St Andrews in 2018, I had no idea photography would be such a large part of my time here. I was part of the rugby team, but after gaining an injury and having to spend my days supporting the team on the sidelines, I decided to pick up my old Canon camera that had previously been used only for sunset or flower photos. I instantly fell in love with the fast-paced nature of sports photography. There is something so exhilarating about trying to pre-empt the next tackle, or the trajectory of the ball in the air, and through sifting through thousands of blurry, terrible pictures to find the one that is *just perfect* As the first lockdown hit, I had just begun preparations for buying my first professionallevel camera and lenses Unfortunately, that money ended up being needed elsewhere, and so I looked for alternative opportunities that might be able to help me out, which is where I came across the Doug Pensinger Photography Fund. This programme supports young emerging sports photographers with seven grants worth $5000 dollars each, plus a mentorship programme The application is a group of 20 photos, which should be linked by a theme Each photo requires a description and a title, and a photography essay describing the overall portfolio must also be included. It pushed me to be more creative in my approach to portraying sports, and what aspects I wanted to document. Although I didn’t receive any grants in the end, I would highly recommend any budding sports photographers to apply, as the skills I learnt through this process were invaluable to how my work has progressed since!

Photo:GeorgeCherry

Photo:GeorgeCherry

Photo:GeorgeCherry

StAndrewsvs DundeeRugby

Photo: George Cherry

PHOTO STORIES

KINGSBARNS SCENIC LOCATIONS

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

AMANDA MACEACHEN

Located 8 miles outside of St. Andrews, Kingsbarns beach lies on the far east coast of Fife near the town of Crail. The golden beach stretches over 2 miles and is the perfect location for lovers of scenery and photographic backdrops Being a photographer in a small town like St Andrews, it’s sometimes an onerous task to differ in photogenic scenery, (as beautiful as it is, there’s only so many times you can shoot at the pier). Every so often I find the urge to pack up my gear and drive to a completely arbitrary location. My wonderful friend Alice, who at this point was a full-time model, pointed me in the direction of Kingsbarns beach, which I had never been to or heard of before It was a very last-minute shoot idea (which are arguably the best ones) and it was the perfect location linked with the perfect day. I’ve done my fair share of beach shoots over the years, but this scenery was one like no other I had seen before. The beach had beautiful clear waters, scenic rocky outcrops, mini caves, and grassy dunes backed by the wonderful golf course Alice and I went into the shoot with no planning, just a camera, a model, and the scenery We started with the grassy dunes, before moving to some shots on the sand, even moving into the glistening water (RIP to Alice’s Doc Martens). We ended the day very pleased and accomplished with the photos, showing that you can make anything out of a camera and some free time! I would overall highly recommend visiting this beach, it is such an ideal area to take in the beautiful coastal views and appreciate the beauty of the Fife coast!

Photo:AmandaMacEachen

Photo:AmandaMacEachen

Photo:AmandaMacEachen

Kingsbarnsbeach, FifeCoast

Photo: Amanda MacEachen

PHOTO STORIES

NORWEGIAN WINTER ESCAPE

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

ANNIE PRITCHETT-BROWN

The allure of Norway has tempted me for years and last December, I finally booked my flights to visit Tromsø. One of my personal reasons for wanting to visit Tromsø was the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights We were incredibly lucky to see them on our first evening, making our full day’s travel to get there entirely worthwhile. The blue/green lights glimmered through the sky, surrounded by snowy mountain peaks and the rippling sea below. In truth, the Northern Lights can be fleeting and faint to the naked eye, and I was glad to have my phone to hand, set to long exposure and held steady against a car bonnet! If you have time, set your camera to long exposure, high ISO and definitely use a tripod to avoid blur For the best views of the Northern Lights, take a trip up the Fjellheisen Cable Car. Here, there is less light pollution, with only the twinkling city lights far below. The next most significant thing on our to do-list was the reindeer feeding and sledding experience. It is not often you are able to feed wild reindeer, have a Santa-esque sledding experience through the most beautiful snowy landscape, and then finish the day with a traditional Sami cultural experience including reindeer stew. I have to admit, it is not easy to feed a reindeer with antlers longer than your arms, never mind whilst trying to photograph them at the same time! I would recommend using a prime lens with a good depth of field, set at a fast shutter speed to capture these beautiful animals as they move around, sometimes fighting over food and other times simply standing majestically

Photo:AnniePritchett-Brown

Photo:AnniePritchett-Brown

Photo:AnniePritchett-Brown

Winter escape in Tromsø, Norway

Photo: Annie Pritchett-Brown

PHOTO STORIES

Issue 3 - 28

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN PHOTOS

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

YONGPING DENG

The Chinese New Year Gala is a very special occasion for every Chinese person, as well as anyone interested in Chinese culture. St. Andrews’ 2023 Gala took place on February 5th, the day of the Lantern Festival Alongside many students and scholars, I was immersed in the vision of the Year of the Rabbit, and the mercy, elegance and beauty it symbolizes. I took some photos to record the event, through which I have been inspired to do more portrait photography in the future. When I tried to leave my comfort zone and start exploring portrait photography, I began to realize the difficulty of capturing the precise emotion of models in one moment Often, this is because models become uncomfortable when first facing the camera, and must learn how to behave naturally in front of its gaze. It is also a skill on the photographers side, the to create a relaxed environment where the camera almost goes unnoticed by the subject. In Sartre's Being and Nothingness, there is a section called On Gaze, which is about the experience of being watched by a subject They discuss the fear that can arise from being watched, and how it creates a sense of objectification This was not an issue I had to contend with during the Gala, however. Here, standing on the sidelines as the performers focused on their show and immersed themselves in their routines, I was able to take photos which captured genuine emotion. The subjects are comfortable in their surroundings, and their joy and energy come through in every shot These photos therefore capture the true spontaneity of the event

Photo:YongpingDeng

Photo:YongpingDeng

Photo:YongpingDeng

Photo: Yongping Deng

PHOTO STORIES

SUSTAINABLE FASHION GALA

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

AVA KILLBOURN

For St Andrews locals and students alike, small-town living can make it hard to find fashion that is highquality and modish. We at Sustainable Style have taken on this mission in our little corner of the world. In providing people with the resources to consume more consciously and sustainably, we hope to support the growing tide of pressure for change in the fashion industry. To us, fashion is personal and the impetus for change comes not only from the consciousness of the consumer, but the cultivation of individual style that is resistant to seasonal trends. Sustainable Style will be holding our first ever Charity Gala at Falside Mill on March 9th, showcasing and auctioning a selection of handmade pieces by student designers Sustainable Style has offered the opportunity for student photographers to become involved through committee headshots, designer’s projects photoshoots, and more. Recently, designers, models, photographers, and committee members have collaborated to style various outfits sporting student-crafted designs for social media releases Not only has this provided a creative and stylistic approach to a sustainability-focused organization on-campus, but it has encouraged student art to be displayed at a high-class event. The photos attached with this article represent some of the photoshoots St Andrews’ students have been involved in over the past couple weeks. As the gala gets closer, keep your eyes peeled for photoshoot opportunities on Sustainable Style’s social media accounts!

Photo:AlexandraGodfrey

Photo:AlexandraGodfrey

Photo:AlexandraGodfrey

Photo: Alexandra Godfrey

PHOTO STORIES

ON THE TEAM OF SENDERS FC

PhotographyEditor:Charlotte Davies

TRISTAN SHARMAN

Back in September 2021, when I was first invited along to watch Senders FC play a match of Sunday League Football, I would not have labelled myself as much of a sports fan I also held the belief that I was more deserving of the title of ‘friend with a camera’ than I was of ‘photographer’ Nevertheless, I saw a low-stakes chance to get back into photography, my hobby that had fallen to the wayside since coming to university. So, I agreed to come along, and to my surprise really enjoyed myself. Sure, Senders FC endured a crippling 4-9 defeat against Bayern Bru, but I admired the team for remaining undeterred and keeping a strong sense of comradery and fun Beckett, who was the Senders FC left-back, social media manager and friend who had invited me, loved the photos I had taken. He proudly shared them with the team, who were grateful and eager for more. So, it came to be that the following Sunday I returned to take more. Then as best as I could arrange, I would take Senders FC photos again, and again, and again! At present, I have covered almost a dozen matches, and can confidently claim that I’ve taken the most shots of anybody on the team! I’m proud and grateful that with each match I have been able to improve my photography, whilst also feeling increasingly like one of the team. Has this given me the urge to drop the camera and lace up some football boots? No, not yet. That said, Senders FC has taught me that opportunities to practise skills and feel part of a community can come from unlikely sources, and that those opportunities are always worth a shot!

Photo:TristanSharman

Photo:TristanSharman

Photo:TristanSharman

SendersFC

SundayLeague Football2021

Photo: Tristan Sharman

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

PRISMA PHOTO COMPETITION

It is our pleasure to congratulate the winner of PRISMA's January Photo Competition: JenniferDouce

"St Ives in the winter is magical. Once the summer swathes leave the tourist town and the cold, wet winter days set in one can walk aroundinblissfulsolitude.TheChristmaslightsgivetheharbouragloriousglowthatisbestappreciatedontheharbourwall."

To enter for your chance to be featured in our upcoming issue, submit a photo through the link on our social media!

Photo: Louise Anderbjörk