Grant Scott

In this book 89 professional, award-winning photographers from around the world explain what photography means to them.

A simple question but its simplicity of language is deceptive. I have discovered that the reality of such an enquiry is that it forces the photographer to whom it has been addressed to question the very essence of their relationship with a medium that provides them with a creative outlet that is a visual representation of what they think, believe, experience, and wish to convey. It also introduces reflections concerning outcome versus intent, success versus failure and recognition versus anonymity. It is a question that goes deep.

My decision to approach photographers and ask them to answer such a question was based upon a personal desire to explore my relationship with the medium of photography and visual storytelling. The responses were generous, illuminating and honest. Often raw in their passion, considered in their introspection. Most importantly, themes began to develop, themes of approach, intention and desire. The consistency of these themes surprised me but also reassured me that my understanding of photography had synchronicities with the people whose images I admired and was interested in.

Storytelling is a constant foundation for many photographers as is the importance of collaboration. Many reveal a love/hate relationship with the medium, detailing the torment they often feel as part of their photographic process. Others felt the need to place their practice today into the context of their journey, reflecting on those photographers whose words and images informed their own understanding of the medium. Some are up-beat others more melancholic in their presentation, but all are passionate, informed and engaged. Their words force the listener to stop and take stock, they force self-questioning, reconsidering pre-conceived understanding. They make you think. -- Provided by publisher.

Those born since the digital revolution, seem to have the hardest time re-imagining the role of photography in the world today. Thinking of photography as a visual language is the way this book addresses this challenge. Instead of an approach to understanding photography defined by established education's need to grade, mark and rate both work and students throughout their learning journey, the approach taken here develops the metaphor of 'learning a language' when attempting to explain what photography can be and what it can give a student in transferable creative and life skills. This begins with challenging the student pre-conception that successful photography is defined by the successful single image or 'the good photograph'. The book emphasises instead the central role of narrative and visual storytelling through a technique of 'photosketching' which can be used to develop the building blocks of visual creativity and ultimately to craft successful bodies of photographic work. New Ways of Seeing explains how to both learn and teach photography as a visual language, appropriate for both professionals and students working today.

This essential reference for photography students explains how to become part of the professional community. By defining professional photography today, and exploring what is expected of professional photographers, the book demystifies this often-misunderstood and misjudged career track. The easily accessible text provides readers with valuable information, inspiration, and education on topics including developing your photographic voice, finding your area of specialization, exploring the moving image, building a website, and understanding self-presentation, promotion, legal aspects, and marketing. It also features inspirational projects for students to embark on their education in photography.

An exhibition of photography and Zines including work from Crash Happy: A Night at The Bangers by Grant Scott.

Bill Jay was a photographer, writer on and advocate of photography, curator, magazine and picture editor, lecturer, public speaker and mentor. He was the first editor of the immensely influential magazine Creative Camera and the founder and editor of the equally influential Album magazine. He opened the first ever photography gallery in England. He is the author of more than 20 books on the history and criticism of photography, approximately 400 essays, lectures and articles and of the Lens Work magazine column EndNotes. His own photographs have been widely published, including a solo exhibition at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Oriel Colwyn Gallery, Wales and 2018 Brighton Photo Fringe. A book of his portraits of iconic photographers was published by Cafe Royal Books www.caferoyalbooks.com/shop/bill-jay-british-photographers-photographed?rq=Bill%20Jay  Bill died in Costa Rica in 2009.

The United Nations of Photography is an independent platform that encourages informed lens based media conversation and debate, edited, curated and written by Grant Scott.