the photography
In 2007 up to 200 young artists contributed to a video presentation and photographic exhibition which augmented Argyll Rhapsody 07. Award winning photojournalist Colin McPherson was contracted to oversee the visual element of Argyll Rhapsody and the resulting still images reflected and illustrated what Argyll meant to these young people.
Such was the quality and diversity of the photographs CAST invited Colin back in 2009 to help pupils build a portfolio of personal images which was part of Homecoming Rhapsody 09. The first half of the evening featuring the musical element of Rhapsody was accompanied by a projected image display entitled ‘our space’ – a photographic collection from pupils across the area’s secondary schools who have worked with Colin McPherson in a series of school workshops. These school sessions included a presentation about his own work and a discussion on photography covering necessary skills and topics such as composition and editing – through to making storyboards, marketing photographs and displaying images.
Using skills learned from Colin, the pupils were then encouraged to expand and develop their chosen theme until they had a ‘portfolio’ of images. Thereafter, as a group within each school, they chose 30 photos to put forward for editing into a final video presentation which was shown live at the two Homecoming Rhapsody 09 performances.
The still images were also be displayed as an exhibition at the concerts and will subsequently tour the secondary schools.
Colin McPherson