Artsfest Photography Yr1 Gallery 2026Artsfest Photography Yr1 Gallery 2026

TY’NAYA ALLEN-EDWARDS | NELSON DIMBA | LIKWAN DUNCAN | AMBER FIELDER | KYE GARVEY | VICTORIA GIBSON | HARRY GOSELEY | LILLY GOUGH | TOBY GOVER | ZARA HOMER | REECE HURLSTONE | HARRY JONES | SOPHIE JONES | MARISA JORDAN | WINNIE MBUJIBUNI | JESSICA PARKES | MELISSA POXON | IMOGEN ROSE | ABBIE SHAW | JACOB STOKES | CHRISTIAN SUTHERAN | KAIYSHA TALBOT | DAUNTAE WHITTLE | LILLIE WILLIAMS | NATHANIEL WRIGHT | KYRA YORK

Ty’Naya Allen-Edwards

The name of my project is “Echoes in the Dark” the reason I chose to do my project on and around the alternative music scene, is because it represents me as a person and as an artist. The alternative music scene is little known as whole, as its depicted as atypical and unconventional, when this isn’t the case. I chose this to shine a light (my lens) and bring attention to the scene; educating people on this, hopefully grabbing their attention and piquing their interest in this music genre. 

 I like to take action shots in black and white as this shows a more dramatic image which depicts the truthfulness of this music genre.  

I have influences from several artists including: Annie Leibowitz – Rolling Stones. I feel her work allies the dramatic aspects of photography that aligns with my own work. 

What I hope to achieve with this work is to bring this scene to the mainstream or at least dispel some of the misconceptions of this music scene, hence the name: “Echoes in the Dark”.  

Nelson Dimba

My project is about Zimbabwean culture and how we celebrate Zimbabwe Independence Day from April 15th to the official date on April 18th. This is where you will find people (including myself) grooving to music for Zimbabwean independence.

I have created six images that embody Zimbabwean culture and the spirit of Independence Day. The style of the images showcases the vibrant energy of Amapiano and Zimdancehall.

Independence Day allows family and friends to gather and share in the good times with plenty of food and drinks. I thought it was important to showcase my culture within British society.

Celebrating this day allows me to feel like I am right back there in Harare, Zimbabwe—eating my aunties’ food, representing our flag, and listening to DJs play my country’s music. This project allows me to share this feeling with others and showcase Zim culture to those who may not have been exposed to it before.

Likwan Duncan

My project, “Astro Painting,” is about painting with light using the night sky. Following the recent Artemis mission to the moon, I was inspired to combine my work in astrophotography with light painting—a technique I discovered by accidentally moving my camera while using a cable release.

Watching the take-off live and following the journey to the moon made me realize there is so much more to outer space than we know. I have also always been interested in painting with light, so I wanted to mix these two concepts together.

This project is important to me because my goal is to capture the night sky to show the influence of the stars. I want to use these pictures to paint a message for people and provide them with a source of motivation in life.

My images overlay an abstract illustration—a UFO, if you will—against the backdrop of an authentic night sky. I used a tripod, a cable release, and a long exposure, utilising the bulb setting at ISO 100.

Amber Fielder

My project, “Nature,” explores flowers and the beauty of the natural world through my own lens. I created this series because of my deep love for flowers and the unique shape of every single bloom. I want to share this perspective to help others recognise their quiet beauty.

Nature is all around us, changing with every season, yet so few people truly appreciate it—many would easily walk right over a flower without noticing. My background in nature photography dates back to my work experience in secondary school, and ever since, I always photograph flowers or scenes that inspire me when I am out. Being in nature makes me feel relaxed, and I believe that sense of peace is highly reflected in my art.

A major inspiration for this project is Hyunjin, a South Korean idol from the eight-member boy group Stray Kids. When he first debuted, he didn’t know how to dance and had to train relentlessly while managing the stress of attending dance school. His persistence paid off, and after two years, he became an incredible dancer. Beyond music, he draws, paints, and does photography while touring the world. He faces a lot of undue criticism, but he never lets it stop him from doing what he loves. His resilience and the sheer variety of his artwork completely inspire me, which is why I have included examples of his pieces in my project.

Ultimately, I hope “Nature” inspires viewers to be more open-minded. Not enough people nowadays care for our environment, and I want to show them the beauty of the world so they might treat it with more respect. By sharing both my own photography and Hyunjin’s unique artistic vision, I hope to remind people that everyone sees the world differently, and there is immense beauty to be found when we look through someone else’s eyes.

Kye Garvey

My work is inspired by the growing concern surrounding mental health, particularly among younger generations, where feelings of anxiety, disconnection and identity confusion are becoming increasingly common.

I was interested in exploring how these struggles are often invisible yet deeply affect the way individuals experience themselves and the world around them. The idea of distortion and static showcases how overwhelming thoughts and emotions reflect upon the title “Signal Lost”, suggesting a breakdown in communication. A breakdown not only with others, but also with oneself.

I was also influenced by the impact of social media, particularly in relation to body dysmorphia and unrealistic beauty standards. The constant exposure to edited and idealised images can distort how individuals see themselves, creating a disconnect between reality and perception. This idea is visually represented through the static that is covering parts of the face, symbolising how identity and self-image can become fragmented or unclear.

In addition, I explored the role of music as a coping mechanism during difficult times. Music can act as both an escape and as a form of expression when emotions are hard to articulate. The inclusion of handwritten lyrics represents this personal connection, providing a voice to thoughts that might otherwise remain unspoken.

Overall, my work aims to capture the complexity of mental health struggles in a way that feels both relatable and thought-provoking, encouraging the viewer to reflect on the hidden nature of these experiences and the importance of understanding them.

Victoria Gibson

My project, “Animals on the Street,” is about documenting different types of animals and showcasing their various states of ownership. I created this because I wanted to make people aware that not every animal has a home, and they shouldn’t be treated any differently because of this.

It was important to me because, ever since I was young, I have loved pets and animals, whether they were mine or not. My motivation comes from always wondering if they have a safe place to stay and if they are treated the right way; my empathetic viewpoint is reflected in my images.

I was inspired by Giacomo Brunelli, as he captures a deep connection with the natural world through his lens, showing us the emotions and feelings of different animals. I hope people who view my work feel a deeper connection and understanding of how important animal lives are and how they should be taken care of in the correct way.

Overall, I enjoyed making this project because I could show my viewers the reality of how animals are treated through their posture and emotions.

Harry Goseley

My project is about the history of Dudley. I created this because I feel like our local heritage is a key part of our lives, yet people don’t know as much about it as they used to. It was important to me to document the past and show people of all ages the importance of our history.

I was motivated by my own intrigue and eagerness to learn about the past, but also by a desire to boost Dudley’s image in the process. Combining these two goals motivates me to capture the best photos I possibly can.

I was inspired by Francis Frith, a photographer who took historical photos of famous landscapes and buildings across Dudley and the Black Country. I hope people who view my work understand that Dudley isn’t as bad as its reputation suggests, and that my photos convince others to share our history with people across the UK.

Overall, I want to highlight that Dudley actually has a very interesting past. The town takes a lot of criticism, so doing this will hopefully boost Dudley’s popularity and change people’s minds.

Lilly Gough

The name of my project is ‘Variance to Society’. I have created this project to show the differences between people around the world, and to show that people can be ‘their own’ with no guidance. It also aims to showcase and celebrate difference and individuality.

I was inspired by Jo Spence, as she created images of herself showing her body before surgery and depicting different stages of life. I was also inspired by Ray Spence (unrelated), as he raises awareness of body image.

I believe this is important, as my project demonstrates that people are often bullied and mocked due to perceived differences.

Some of the themes my images have explored include coloured hair, race, piercings, glasses, clothing styles, and tattoos.

Toby Gover

‘Beyond the Track’ explores the themes of emotion, personality and individuality defined by motorsport. Inspired by the works of Oscar Lumley, my project aims to capture the stories behind motorsport through the cars out on the track.

Through these images, I aim to display the beauty of racing, hoping to inspire my audience to see the sport as both uplifting and educational.

Ultimately, my hope is that ‘Beyond the Track’ encourages others to understand the emotional highs and lows of racing—whether winning or losing—and to recognise the dedication and hard work put into track days.

Zara Homer

Although the fashion industry receives negative press in terms of the environment and sustainability, my projects fit into the positive image fashion genre. I have collaborated with fashion students and stylists to create dynamic images to promote the garments. 

To achieve these photos, I used harsh lighting (especially on the black backdrop) to add lighting and depth to the model and garments. I also switched between a white and black background to experiment.

One thing I tried to do was a movement-type silhouette shot which I thought was interesting and turned out better than I expected for my first time.   

Reece Hurlstone

My project explores digital infrared photography and other unconventional practices in photography. My chosen six images are from a set I have entitled “Scenes from a Memory”. These images were created with a full-spectrum camera and a variable infrared filter, at a pass wavelength of around 680nm.

My interest in infrared photography was originally inspired when I discovered the work of Richard Mosse, an Irish artist and photographer who famously used Aerochrome film to document the Congolese Civil War. Unfortunately, however, this film has long since been discontinued, and remaining stock is extremely scarce. The alternative is digital photography.

To start exploring this process, I began with a 22-year-old Nikon D70, which I found online for £40, and modified it myself by removing the hot mirror filter (which blocks out infrared and ultraviolet light) from the camera sensor. This camera is admittedly an ancient relic compared to modern equipment. Despite this, the 6-megapixel CCD sensor it possesses is still capable of producing brilliant images, and because it is quite simple, it was relatively easy to convert.

At first, I wanted to produce results that replicated the look of Aerochrome film. I pursued this for a while at the beginning of my project, creating a handful of outcomes I was happy with. As the project progressed, however, my direction changed, and I began to pursue a different infrared look: one with bright white foliage and deep blue skies. I quite like the more muted tones these images have and the almost otherworldly feel they give off. I wanted my images to feel as if they were fragments of dreams or memories, and I feel that this style of infrared works well to bring that out.

The editing process, like the photos themselves, is also quite atypical. I set the white balance using grass and trees as neutrals (which, typically, would ruin a visible-light image) and swapped colour channels to achieve my outcomes. All my editing was done using free, open-source software (Darktable, which is an alternative to Lightroom) on my own computer.

My hope is that viewers of my work will be inspired to experiment with new mediums and unconventional means of creating art however they choose to do so—whether that is through photography, design, painting, sketching, or more. My message to them is that you really do not need the most technically advanced or expensive equipment to create art. In my opinion, limitation is crucial to creativity. With that being said, I hope that you enjoy the work I’m presenting, and I hope it makes you feel something.

Harry Jones

I am fascinated by cars and motor racing. My work attempts to express the energy, danger, teamwork and chaos of this sport.

My images have been retouched to give them higher contrast and deeper colour saturation in order to accentuate this. I am aiming to show how fun, exciting and enjoyable the sport can be.

I want my work to inspire others to take this up as a hobby too.

Sophie Jones

My project is called “The Recreation”; it showcases the recreation of different album covers.

I created this project because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and attempt something that I have not seen often before. I found my final project idea was difficult at first because it was simply time-consuming in all regards, including the thought and preparation put into it. However, once I had a plan, all the necessary props, and people to help me, it was easier than I had originally thought.

I was encouraged to pursue this by a former student called Cassidy Woodrow. I was inspired by her work when she was a visiting speaker for my class at the start of the year, and she had told us that for her project she also recreated her favourite album covers. I heard this idea and decided to do it for my final major project.

I learnt a lot while completing this project. I learnt how to use different tools on Photoshop, which is one of the things I’m most happy about. Before my final major project, I wasn’t all that confident when using Photoshop, but now I have had the opportunity to improve my skills and get a wonderful project out of it.

Marisa Jordan

My project, “Monster Personalities”, is about combining the Monster Energy brand with human characteristics. My aim is to promote Monster Energy using traditional product photography, whilst additionally presenting the different flavours through a person’s appearance. My target audience is people who already enjoy energy drinks, as well as those who might be persuaded to try them for the first time.

These photos were taken in the studio with hard lighting on the model and soft lighting on the cans. The hard light gave the model a sharper look and helped them stand out from the black background, while the soft lighting prevented harsh reflections on the metal cans.

I believe using this kind of lighting and setting is the best way to present the brand. Monster has an inherently dark, edgy name but uses incredibly bold colours. Placing the subjects against a blank black background is exactly what is needed to make those colours look vibrant and truly stand out.

Winnie Mbujibuni

My personal project focuses on my culture, deeply examining my African roots and heritage. To explore this, I will be photographing local shops, traditional foods, cultural artefacts, the people closest to me, alongside a self-portrait.

I believe it is incredibly important to celebrate and honour culture and diversity, as it fosters a true sense of belonging and inclusivity rather than exclusivity. When different languages, perspectives, and traditions are recognised, it helps people feel seen, respected, and valued for exactly who they are.

Furthermore, diversity brings creativity and fresh ideas; when people from varied backgrounds collaborate, they frequently discover better solutions by approaching challenges in different ways. Exposure to different cultures also allows us to learn from one another, actively challenging stereotypes, reducing prejudice, and building mutual understanding.

Ultimately, celebrating culture and diversity makes communities more accepting and less divided. It strengthens society as a whole by encouraging the equality, fairness, and respect that are vital for peaceful and successful communities.

Jessica Parkes

For my personal project, I have decided to go with the theme of graffiti and the exploration of the story behind it. I wanted to make it stand out. I also decided to shoot this project on a Polaroid Gen 2, as I thought it would fit perfectly with a retro art form like graffiti. My project contains six Polaroids, showcasing different types of graffiti—from tagging to murals—created by numerous artists in different locations.

My project was heavily inspired by photographers such as Henry Chalfant and Martha Cooper, as their images caught my attention due to the details and vibrancy they manage to capture in urban life.

Overall, this project is really important to me. I feel like graffiti artists have often been silenced and overlooked, which makes me feel a responsibility to honour their work and bravery in the face of discrimination. I also hope that people who view my work feel a sense of confidence and pride in the arts, specifically graffiti, as it has so often been viewed negatively or as morally wrong.

Melissa Poxon

My project, “Music”, is about the fortitude to perform and people expressing themselves through their music. I have created this project because I want to show the confidence people must have to get up on stage and perform in front of an audience. This project is important to me because I find that I have a deep connection to music; I am always listening to it in the background to keep my mind occupied and busy. It keeps me distracted instead of letting my thoughts take over.

My motivation was the fact that I photographed a few music gigs for my documentary project, and I found an interest in photographing live music. As a result, I grew passionate about the experience. I also have family members who are in a band, and I got ideas from their photographers and so on. The artists I was inspired by are Lisa Billingham and Sandis Luttropp, who have both worked with the band Stone Broken, and I really admire their work and style.

I hope that my work will encourage performers to be more confident in what they are passionate about, whilst also doing what they want and enjoy the most. In conclusion, I want to show how performers must compose themselves to perform live on stage, because that is a lot of pressure to put onto a person. Self-doubt may creep in, causing them to wonder if they are going to play correctly or if they will forget their part. Therefore, I want to make it known just how courageous these artists are to stand up and play for people.

Imogen Rose

My project, “Blooming Pages”, is about flowers, books, and showing how it feels to read as entire worlds emerge from the pages. I created this because many people nowadays don’t enjoy reading, and I felt that a visual representation of these stories could make them more appealing to
non-readers—especially as fantasy books are becoming increasingly popular.

This project is important to me because reading has always been an escape from the real world, providing a sanctuary when most people would rather doomscroll on social media or play video games.

I was inspired by Alan Shapiro, a photographer based in New York; his flower photography is quite unusual, as he uses extremely bright blooms and contrasting colours. My aim was to incorporate this aesthetic with fantasy books.

I hope people who view my work feel like they are looking into a different world, just as many books have done for me. In conclusion, I hope my project convinces more people to read.

Abbie Shaw

My images are inspired by Minor White. I am exploring the themes of texture, tone, shape, form and contrast by experimenting with macro photography. I am exploring this through both animate and inanimate objects, such as fossils, skulls, rocks and shells.

I used a macro telephoto lens to focus on key details, paying particular attention to the lighting, skimming it across the subjects to emphasise their intricate features and textures.

Jacob Stokes

My project explores documentary street photography. I have attempted to convey a sense of isolation in some of the images, and relationships in others. I used a telephoto zoom lens to capture a genuine understanding of my subjects.

There is an authentic, grabbed style to my work, attempting to show the different stories of each subject in my images. To document these types of shots, I used a fast shutter speed and a low ISO to try and get the best results possible.

The artist who has inspired me the most is Henri Cartier-Bresson, as, much like in my own work, he favoured a grabbed shot and capturing things in the moment. I hope people who view my work will feel a sense of connection to the images that show isolation, as many people in this generation feel isolated from society.

My project aimed to capture the comparison between isolated individuals and those in partnership with one another, providing an insight into the diversity of our society through my lens.

Christian Sutheran

My project, “Angles of the Railways”, is about photographing different aspects of the railways that everyday commuters may never take notice of. I created it because I have an immense passion for the railways, and now, with a camera in my hands, I can’t wait to prove my skills whilst sharing my interests with others.

It was important to me as I was able to share my liking for trains and the railway in general, whilst also working to create the best pictures possible. Throughout the project, I used my Canon 800D, which proved to be a reliable piece of equipment. I went on to take well over 500 pictures for inspiration, for my overall project, and for my final six images.

My motivations were the photographers I researched during the project, with my main inspiration being Andrew Shenton. Whilst browsing through his library, I was amazed by the different portfolios he had organised his photographs into, along with his wide variety of pictures. The composition of his photos was inspiring to such an extent that I incorporated similar settings into my own pictures.

I hope people who view my work take inspiration from it in the same way I did. I’ve found this final personal project enjoyable as it has broadened my freedom to go out, record, and document a day on the railway as an ordinary commuter myself.

Kaiysha Talbot

I am fascinated by the aesthetic beauty of cars as objects of aspiration and desire. My approach has been as a roving photographer, scouring the streets for intriguing juxtapositions.

For this, my goal was to capture the beauty of street cars in city centres, but specifically cars with unique details; this interests me because I don’t enjoy seeing the same cars everywhere, as it has become boring and bland. I am specifically interested in JDM cars and motorsport; that is what I want to focus on for next year’s final project.

I was very inspired by Oscar Lumley for the motorsport and panning details in his photography, and also inspired by Adam VL for his creativity. I wanted to portray that in my motorbike and car photography. I love how car photography with panning represents the speed and action of the cars; this is something I’d like to develop in my own work.

Dauntae Whittle

My project is location-based. I am really interested in architecture and art, and the combination of the two.

I am particularly fascinated by art on buildings, such as graffiti art. I am inspired by Steve McCurry’s loitering, grabbed techniques.

We all need art in our lives. Public art is essential for our cultural wellbeing and showcases our impact on the area in which we live.

I am using a fast shutter speed to reduce camera shake and capture quicker-moving objects. I will be doing this because I believe that legal, licensed public art is essential for our cultural wellbeing, as it provides diverse and unique surroundings within our modern world.

Lillie Williams

For my project, I have chosen to portray nature in a colourful, realistic way that draws the attention of my viewers. I want my audience to imagine the sounds and smells just by looking at my photos. I want all my images to have a deep, special meaning behind them, which I think will really keep me inspired and motivated. This will also help viewers build a connection to my photography, as they can relate to it by using their imagination.

I want to document the beauty of the world, preserving moments of various species and landscapes. Images can also raise awareness about environmental issues, the importance of our planet’s health, and animal behaviour. My project is art-based, and my main goal is to portray the beauty of nature from an imaginative perspective to draw the attention of my viewers and create the illusion that they are within the photo.

My work is inspired by Colin Prior, as he has a clear passion for the landscape and its nature. He has photographed some amazing locations that he has shared with us. I personally love his colourful photos because they stand out and are unique. They are incredibly striking and give a sense of peace. I think his photos really come to life and make you feel like you’re there. I appreciate photographers who have a deep passion for their craft and show that they are truly interested in nature, as it inspires me to find something that I am passionate about.

In conclusion, I want my work to stand out and for my viewers to see my strong passion for what I do. I want them to deeply connect with my photos and see what I see when I look back at them.

Nathaniel Wright

My project explores the vital role the gym plays in maintaining both our physical and mental health. I have photographed a diverse range of activities, equipment, and individuals working out.

To accentuate the dynamic energy of the space, I have utilised low angles, alongside leading lines to add depth and perspective.

Ultimately, I hope my images inspire others to engage with fitness facilities and stay active for their general wellbeing.

Kyra York

My project involves developing my set-building, lighting and branding skills. I have photographed a range of commercial products, utilising soft lighting, tiles, composition and product positioning.

My plan is to promote the products in an advertising context in the hope of persuading viewers to purchase them. My biggest inspiration for this project was Edd Fury and his dynamic, stylised advertising shots of all kinds of products.

I wanted to challenge myself, and I felt that this style would be a big challenge for me personally, as I find working with stationary objects rather than a moving target a lot more difficult. Through this project, I learnt a lot about new techniques and gained many new skills which I hope will aid me in my future photography work and, hopefully, my career.

Photography BTEC National Diploma Level 3 2025Photography BTEC National Diploma Level 3 2025

YR1 PHOTOGRAPHY

YR 2 PHOTOGRAPHY

STUDIO EVENING CLASS

LOCATION EVENING CLASS

Next year is the 200th anniversary of the first photograph. Despite its recent convergence with the world of ‘high tech’, photography is still essentially about communicating creative ideas eloquently through the capture of light and time. However, with 200 years of photographic history behind us, it becomes increasingly difficult for photographers to surprise us with ‘effective novelty’, as creativity is sometimes defined as.

This year’s large second year cohort has had its share of ups and downs. Last year they had a trip to Ilam in Derbyshire where we climbed Thorpe Cloud and Bunster Hill, as well completing a 10-mile hike to Thor’s Cave. Many also travelled with me to Poland, where we visited Krakow, the Salt Mine and Auschwitz.

Two students represented the college in the Lessons from Auschwitz program, presenting their findings to 400 people at this year’s Dudley Holocaust Memorial event, marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.

In March, we managed to exhibit our positive-image portraits of Dudley’s Refugees in The Upper Waiting Hall of The House of Commons. We were pleased to have exhibited at such a prestigious venue, to reach an influential, wider audience and shine a positive light on the plight of all Refugees. We feel this project is more important than ever now, in order to promote a sense of hope, unity and togetherness.

In addition, current second year students have made a yearbook and a book exploring and conveying positivity and acceptance within themes of diversity, individualism and togetherness, focusing on areas such as age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, race, hair colour, disability, etc.  Again, first years have had their zoo project exhibited at Dudley Zoo. We are grateful also to Dudley Rotary Club for generously funding our ‘Wonderful Water Competition.’

We have been fortunate to work with local art photographer – Anand Chhabra again, on an ‘Exploring the High Street’ project for Historic England. With Anand’s help we have developed the Dudley Photographers Network this year, involving talks by world class professionals such as Andy Kruczek and Rob Hornstra from as far afield as Holland.

We have continued to build close relationships with local universities too, many of whom we visited for workshops, or they visited us. Thanks to Hereford College of Arts for awarding this year’s ‘One to Watch’ awards. Over half of our young people are heading for university, many locally but some as far as Falmouth, with one even studying marine photography there!

We were proud to welcome back Megan Jeffries of the class of 2021, a graduate of Falmouth University, who has worked closely with us in her transition from student to lecturer. In the end, the class of 2025 have solved problems and come together to showcase their creative talents here. Thanks to our wonderful technician – Chris Davies for making this online exhibition possible! 

Phil Brooks, course leader, photography

Photography Class of 2025 Highlights

DUDLEY REFUGEE EXHIBITION IN PARLIAMENT

ZOO PROJECT AT
DUDLEY ZOO

Artsfest Photography Yr1 Gallery 2025Artsfest Photography Yr1 Gallery 2025

ISSEY ADDENBROOKE | LEXI ASTON | EBONY BELNAVIS | RUBY CARTWRIGHT | HENRY DREWERY | NATASHA EDWARDS | JESSICA FLETCHER | POPPY HANEY | LILY HIGGS | TRINITY-MAI POWELL | MOLLY ROSS | KAYSIE RUSSELL | WERONIKA SZYMALA | ATIF TASEEN | OLIVER THACKWRAY | LYDIA WHORTON-WILLIAMS | CHARLIE WILKINSON

Issey Addenbrooke

My personal project is about advertisement photography. I chose this as it’s different to the rest and I found that you can be very creative once the pictures have been taken, and then to use photoshop or other editing apps. I was inspired by Phil Brooks my tutor to choose this theme, because he helped give me ideas to choose the theme and go forward with it. Such as, taking photos of perfume bottles with the light equipment in the studio. Also, changing angles with the bottles to show different lightings such as diffused soft lighting from above, a light tent (soft lighting), black edge and white edge.

I then searched photographers that photograph advertisement products, and I really liked the way they edited their photos after to make the products look appealing and buyable. I created my work by bringing in items from home to photograph and then editing them after. I arranged the items I brought in, in different ways so all my best 6 photos were different. My work is unique because others chose to do outdoor themes such as continuing their landscape project as their personal project. However, I chose completely different and decided to use the studio for my project.

This was so I could use the studio lighting instead of the natural outdoor lighting. As no one else was using the studio I was able to have the space all to myself which let me have lots of time to try different ideas and see if they were successful or unsuccessful. I want viewers to think that I have been creative with my work and tried all sorts of different combinations to see if they worked or not even if they didn’t, they will still be included on my express page as experiments.

Photographs must evoke something more in our imagination than what we just ‘see’ in the photograph. It must take us beyond ‘what we see’ and trigger ‘what we feel.’ Such as interests, curiosity, thoughts, feelings, energy. I would want my viewers to feel this way about my work. My work fits within current trends right now because, advertisement is always on tv, and it will always be trendy as it’s everywhere you go. For example, billboards, lots of social media platforms and on television.

The obstacles I faced when taking my photos was just the placing of my items, I wanted to make sure that my items looked perfectly placed, so nothing looked odd. It took me a while, but I just made some adjustments. Also, I had struggles with taking a photo of a perfume bottle whilst being sprayed. I wanted to make sure it was held perfectly, and I had to capture it being sprayed into the photograph. After a lot of attempts it did finally come out as a successful photograph.

Lexi Aston

With my project, it is about advertising modified vehicles, including motorbikes and cars. I have chosen to do this topic because it is something I am interested in. I have recently started to do it as a main topic with my photographs.

I’ve always had a peak interest in motorbikes and supercars/modified cars. As soon as I stared going to car shows in my own time, I started photographing them for people and my own pleasure. And as I continued to do it more and from having feedback from the car owners and other car photographers, it made me more inspired and made me want to continue my journey of car photography.

I used lightroom to edit my images, blemishing any details that need to be neatened up or removed. I added different colour tints and shades to pop our certain parts on the car. I went around the car in different angles, taking multiple shots of each angle and area, and seeing which lighting and area fitted best with the theme. With each different vehicle, I did daytime and night-time, wet and dry to create a contrast between the two, showing different stories and sides to how people might view the vehicle itself, adding lighting moods to set the final finish.

I think this makes it unique because not many people do projects on vehicles. I want viewers to feel encouragement and excitement whilst looking at my photographs. This is because this is mainly aimed towards bike and car enjoyers, car/bike photographers or people who modify cars for themselves or as a job. I want them to feel proud of their vehicle, whether it is modified or not.

Ebony Belnavis

For my project I will be using the theme of child photography some of my photo shoots will be planned and others will be candid images of them playing outside, this way I get to capture nice throughout images and some of them just being kids. I try to capture them in the outdoors where they can run wild whilst also being their truest self.

For this project my nephews and some other child photographers inspired me to create this work as it’s something I would like to do in the future as a career or a side hobby. In my own work I think its unique as I capture both sides of childhood for example planned photoshoots and candid. During this project I struggled to take photos that I like and would proudly use to display. 

Ruby Cartwright

My final project, titled Growth, focuses on the concept of growth in spring, which was inspired to me by the macro photographers Phaethon photography and Julie.  I aimed to capture different representations of growth in as many different types of plants frequently using zoom lenses and bright/strong color palettes.

I hoped to convey the idea that everything is always changing to get to where they need to be. Despite bad weather days stopping me from going out to take photos, it resulted in the freshness of new plant life being grown for me to photograph.

Henry Drewery

My final project explores and shows off the life of a local hardcore band called “eviscerated”. I aimed to capture their best moments as a band together causing chaos in the crowd, getting everyone hyped and making sure everyone is getting violent since that is what hardcore is about. I had to overcome the challenge of taking photos in a crowd of people who were going crazy for them, but I managed to effectively get shots which didn’t seem like I had any trouble at all.

I think that my images really convey the energy that the band has as well as their passion for creating heavy music overall. Whether that be in a practice room or on stage in front of an audience. They are always in their element. This is the main purpose of my project, I want to show people that there is a lot of passion and effort that goes into heavy music.

Natasha Edwards

My personal project is nature and macro photography. Inspired by my love of nature and how the small details are often overlooked, I aimed to capture the smaller details within nature and some common wildlife that is found, using the macro setting and a stutter speed of 1/125 and my ISO at 200. My photographs give a sense of serenity and peace.

Throughout this project I hope to create a sense of peace while also showcasing the finer details of nature that are sometimes overlooked. I faced the challenges of finding time to go outside during my day-to-day busy life, yet I overcome this by waking up earlier and heading for a slow peaceful walk before work. Overall, I loved how my images turned out despite the chaos and challenges I faced.

Jessica Fletcher

My final project is based off the 80’s and the appearance of the aesthetics through fashion, way of life and music. My work is propelled by Richard Corman as his pictures bring out the topic of the 80’s through his utilize of polaroids and his consideration to detail by including popular embellishments inside his pictures to permit them to include more objects linking to this period, he moreover takes pictures of cars and settings which appear how life was displayed inside the 80’s.

I aimed to match my images to be in the same form of style he creates his images as they are raw and unedited and that portrays the reality of life within the 80’s as it was more pure and natural in contrasts to today’s life where images are more edited to suit a certain standard. Whilst having viewers on my work, I would like to create a huge sense of nostalgia due to its unique cultural elements and the way they are perceived by people across generations.

Music, fashion, movies, and television shows of the 80s continue to evoke strong feelings of longing and fondness, often associated with simpler times and carefree youth. 

Poppy Haney

My theme of my project is about macro nature photography, to be able to show the different flowers created in nature. The inspiration of my work is from the photographer Jacky Parker as I really like her work. The techniques used for my photographs was a low aperture to be able to blur my background and I also did close up macro photography to be able to get the images I wanted. My photographs show a sense of stillness and a peaceful atmosphere. Despite the challenges that came with doing macro photography, overall, I think that I was able to capture the different flowers in nature and to be able to create pictures that link to Jacky Parker’s work.

Lily Higgs

Trinity-Mai Powell

My theme was to focus on capturing the natural bond between dogs and their environment, emphasizing their adventurous spirit and connection to nature. My inspiration for this work came from my love of animals and Tim Jones who is a pet photographer I met to add to my professional development for this project.  I used the natural lighting to showcase the earthy tones of the woodland and the textures of the dogs’ fur.

I wanted my photographs to capture candid moments with the use of my telephoto lens which also allowed me to get genuine shots of their movements and expressions.  I tried to make my photographs feel timeless and to showcase the dogs not only as pets but as adventurers and companions. Through my images I want viewers to feel a sense of freedom, joy, and connection to nature.

Pet photography is a growing genre within lifestyle and portraiture. I tried to get my work to correlate with current trends that celebrate animals in authentic, natural settings, moving away from studio setups to embrace environments that highlight individuality and personality. A challenge I encountered was getting the dogs to stay focused in a setting full of distractions, such as scents and other animals. To overcome this, I used treats and toys to guide their attention.

Molly Ross

My work is to represent and empower women and their rights. over many years women have had to protest and fight for basic human right’s and we won but the modern day seems to be taking away what we worked so hard for so I wanted to create something that showed women are still heard. I made signs and imitated a protest to present this and used modern day culture to show what women are both fighting for and going against. I used my phone camera to make it more normal as the people who protest don’t need fancy cameras just themselves and a sense of morality.

Kaysie Russell

My project is about different types of water and how it can change throughout time and in different places. The people that influence me that I have researched is Nigel Waters who took photos of different waterfalls and areas of water like the beach and still water with reflections that shows how water can be different depending on where you are.

I used a mixture of techniques using long exposure to blur the water moving and freeze the surrounding by using slow shutter speeds, a fast shutter speed to freeze the water movement to show how a photo can change the way that something looks and how unique each area of water is. I like this type of photography because I like how not one photo is going to look the exact same. I also like how it can show how something can go from being still and calming to look at and how other areas of water is fast moving and chaotic.

When taking my long exposure photos, I used a tripod so that there is only movement in the water and how the rock in the surrounding is still and vibrant and used a timer so that the camera doesn’t shake when I press the button. The significance of my project is to show how water is never the same and it can change all the time setting the mood of the places you’re visiting or the photo.

Weronika Szymala

My personal project is about Sports Photography. I chose this as my project because I’m interested in sports. I was inspired by Neil Leife as he has taken photos of different sports in portraiture but also in groups. He has used different angles to take them from, and he captured the movements of the players as well as the movements of the ball. I have interacted with a sports coach and asked if I could photograph their sports matches.

Once I took my images, I edited them and uploaded then. Once I done that, I have looked more onto to the different sports photographers to get more inspiration on how to take the images as best as possible. My work is unique as I captured in my image’s movements of the players in action from different angles. I have also taken them inside in the sports hall but also outside on the football pitch. I have taken my images of different types of sports which show my understanding of how to take photos in different angles, but also how to capture the people playing sports in different actions.

I want to inspire my younger generation to look at my work and see if that’s something they would want to do in the future career path. I want them to feel confident in what they are doing or want to do regarding photography, but also for them to see if they are interested particular on sports photography or even doing sports for their course as my images show that there are more than one sport that they could do even if it’s a hobby.

My work fits well within movements as sports photography is more of capturing action within the game. You can capture players while they are running, jumping etc. One challenge I faced was having people sitting in front of me as it was harder for me to capture what was going on in the game. I overcome that challenge by moving around in different places to find the best spot to take images but also tried different angles to get my images to be the best quality as possible.

Atif Taseen

I chose the theme “A Day in the Life” for my final photography project as I wanted to explore the beauty, rhythm, and authenticity of day-to-day moments. We live in a time when we often miss the details of our everyday lives. This theme gave me a chance to pause, watch, and appreciate the tiny stories taking place in plain sight.

Following one day, I documented moments throughout the day, capturing the relationship between the ordinary, the routine, and moments of spontaneity. Each photo depicts an openness to real emotions, quiet moments of pausing, and interaction in the context of a daily experience. I wanted to show that even when we feel like we are living through the most mundane aspects of life, through the lens, those moments are full of meaning, light, and emotions.

I selected this concept because I find it intriguing how taking a picture can elevate an insignificant moment. This project encouraged me to be present and to use my camera, in a protect way, to facilitate connection back into my life and the world surrounding it.

Oliver Thackwray

Lydia Whorton-Williams

“Most humans say they have a dog companion, but does that go for every dog?”

My work is about dogs, and the outcome of the dog’s feelings is in different environments. I did dog’s that have homes verses dog’s that are currently in the shelter. I first needed a contrast to the sadness to make sure they’re understood. So, I specifically used colour for the dogs with homes than in the dogs in the shelter. I used monochrome to show that clear difference and to etherise it. The first image I took; he was just so happy, and the sun light made it so nicely coloured which created this feeling of freedom.

For the other two I used specifically my dog when she was playing ball, so it shows those activities the dogs get to do. However, as in the dogs in the shelter they were all inside. They were sat down, and the last one was next to bars and an empty bowl which etherises the sadness that the puppy should be playing outside with a family but instead it was given up by someone and was ended up in the shelter. I wanted to make the viewers feel sorry and sympathise with the dogs.

I faced challenges with the dogs in kennels because I felt guilty for taking photos of them. In addition, I felt rushed because the worker I asked was unsure of me taking photos but still said yes. In the end, I’m very pleased with my final six and think it went all to plan.

Charlie Wilkinson

Some of my work below is to show off poverty in a passive way by showing off someone who is very well dressed and putting them in an environment that is very unappealing and maybe shows destruction, this can be very effective on the thoughts on people because the contrast between the foreground and background might make people feel differently.

Some of the other images are there to show power and disadvantage to the model which can have a very pleading and powerful effect of the viewer.

I created this personal topic to try and combat poverty by making it more known and clearer through my images.

I was inspired to start this theme from the extensive amount of poverty, homelessness and damage that everyone lives around and hoping that the images can bring light to it and cause it to be more aware and helped.

Artsfest Photography Yr1 Gallery 2024Artsfest Photography Yr1 Gallery 2024

THOMAS ASHFIELD | AMBER ASTON | INDERDEEP BASRA | ELOISE BEARD | LUI BRAHIMAJ | DANNI JADE CRUICKSHANKS | TOBI DEGG | MARIA LATEU DALTON | BONNI JAY DUDLEY | CONNOR GRIFFITHS | ANGEL REYNOLDS-HAILING | LILLIE HARRIS | JORDAN HINTON | ALEX HUMPAGE | MADISON HOLLERON | CONNOR JAY LAWRENCE | WANESSA LOBODZINSKA | SYDNEY MICKLEWRIGHT | SHANNON MOLOUGHNEY | BETH MOGG | MADISON MOUNTFORD | JULIA MULEWSKA | LIBBY LEE MYRING | MASON WILD | EMILY WILLIAMS | LUCY WILLIS

Thomas Ashfield

Amber Aston

Inderdeep Basra

Eloise Beard

Lui Brahimaj

Danni Jade Cruickshanks

Tobi Degg

Maria Lateu Dalton

Bonni Jay Dudley

Connor Griffiths

Angel Reynolds-Hailing

Lillie Harris

Jordan Hinton

Alex Humpage

Madison Holleron

Connor-Jay Lawrence

Wanessa Lobodzinska

Sydney Micklewright

Shannon Moloughney

Beth Mogg

Madison Mountford

Julia Mulewska

Libby Lee Myring

Mason Wild

Emily Williams

Lucy Willis

Photography BTEC National Diploma Level 3 2024Photography BTEC National Diploma Level 3 2024

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

EVENING CLASS

Here in Dudley, our students’ journey towards professional image-making has seen them seeking to find their own creative voice, whilst building meaning into their photography, growing in confidence, becoming a supportive community, learning to articulate their work as well as dealing with responses to their work, all whilst maintaining enthusiasm, inspiration, and motivation. 

We have sought to promote kindness, community, and diversity. We have continued to strengthen our close relationship with Dudley Zoo, Dudley’s Gentleman’s Songsters and Dudley Remembers and Dudley Holocaust Memorial Day. One of our students is now Diversity and Inclusion rep for the whole college.

As well as exhibiting our diversity project at Dudley Town Hall last October, we have recently had the pleasure of working with local refugees from all round the world, who have made Dudley their home. It has become a local yet international collaboration. This has been our biggest, most important project to date – The Dudley Refugee Project – It was a year in the making – commissioned by Lord Ian Austin – featuring many of our ESOL students and other refugees, including a number from Ukraine.

Our recent exhibition at The Dudley Archives was attended The Mayor of Dudley. This work exposure involved students working alongside art photographer Anand Chhabra, who won the Mayor’s Civic Award for art last year, for his work with us, which involved a collaboration with Historic England, celebrating High Street Heroes, for our national touring exhibition, featured in the Guardian newspaper.   

This year, two students worked in their own time, photographing with Dudley Caribbean and Friends Association, helping them with their own photography and raising awareness of the social welfare needs of the elderly African Caribbean community in Dudley.  

During the course, we have raised money for The Royal British Legion, Children in Need and most notably for Ronnie and Friends, for whom we helped raise over £22,000 towards building a baby bereavement room at Russel’s Hall Hospital in Dudley, by abseiling off the college and climbing the highest mountain in England, in winter.  

Frequently these students demonstrate their drive and aspiration by staying late and are often still working when the evening class arrive and sometime even help teach them. From our shared induction in the sports hall, on day one, onwards, we try to break barriers between curriculum areas and levels. We have visiting speakers most weeks, often old students coming in, to give back and inspire.         

We aim to enable a supportive, intrinsically motivated community. My students don’t need commendations or stickers; they work through their lunch or volunteer to photograph college events at weekends. They feel they are working, not just for their own skill-development, personal experience or portfolio-building but often for the greater good.  

Phil Brooks, course leader, photography

Photography Class of 2024 Highlights

SCAFELL PIKE CLIMB FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

DUDLEY REFUGEE PROJECT

DUDLEY ZOO CARNIVORES COMPETITION

Photography BTEC National Diploma Level 3 2023Photography BTEC National Diploma Level 3 2023

BTEC NAT DIPLOMA IN PHOTOGRAPHY YR1 | BTEC NAT DIPLOMA IN PHOTOGRAPHY YR2 | STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY EVENING CLASS

This creative cohort endured testing times through the COVID-era, at school, but have now built their confidence, cohesiveness and created a collaborative, supportive ethos. In terms of inter-department collaboration, they have photographed most college dance, musical theatre and drama events since the summer. All 2nd years are currently making promotional images for music students. Only one of our students considered going to university at the start of the course. Now 7 or 8 out of 11 are going to university and not only local ones. This year we have organised many talks, including from Gloucester University, Staffordshire University and Coventry University. We have travelled for workshops to The University of Wolverhampton and Hereford College of Arts. Also, previous students from Falmouth University, BCU, etc, have come back to work with us and inspire us.

Since Christmas, we took part in a special cross-curricular upgrade fashion shoot, inspired by Andy Kruczek’s talk and mentoring, later exhibited at the YMCA shop. Recently, we exhibited across 3 campuses for the college’s Equality and Diversity Day, as well as having a Conservation Photography exhibition at The Dudley Archives. Last year’s student Zoo Book raised hundreds of pounds for the orangutans of Indonesia. Following our work with Anand Chhabra, for Historic England, 3 students have been selected to exhibit their High St Heroes work across England, including London and Derby’s Festival of Photography.

This creative cohort endured testing times through the COVID-era, at school, but have now built their confidence, cohesiveness and created a collaborative, supportive ethos. In terms of inter-department collaboration, they have photographed most college dance, musical theatre and drama events since the summer. All 2nd years are currently making promotional images for music students. Only one of our students considered going to university at the start of the course. Now 7 or 8 out of 11 are going to university and not only local ones. This year we have organised many talks, including from Gloucester University, Staffordshire University and Coventry University. We have travelled for workshops to The University of Wolverhampton and Hereford College of Arts. Also, previous students from Falmouth University, BCU, etc, have come back to work with us and inspire us.

We are currently working with staff and students at the IOT, pioneering an educational app for students with communication difficulties, to be used across Dudley Schools. This year, one student won Dudley Young Photographer of the Year and another won a top 10 UK student award, for an image, later exhibited at the national Photography Show. In addition, one student has had a very fruitful work experience engagement with Thomas Dudley. We are currently making a ‘Ronnie and Friends’ Baby Loss Awareness book as well as this excellent yearbook. Following our work with The Holocaust Education Trust and the Dudley Holocaust Memorial, we recently had a meeting with Lord Austin, who together with the Mayor of Dudley, is commissioning us to photograph local refugees to celebrate their contribution to the community, for a forthcoming exhibition. In so many ways, this group have exceeded expectations and we wish them continued success in the future. We’re proud of you! Keep in touch – Class of 23!

Phil Brooks, course leader, photography

Artsfest Photography Yr1 Gallery 2023Artsfest Photography Yr1 Gallery 2023

LEXIE BAKER | MIAH BRYAN | HOLLIE CARRINGTON | COREY CHALLENGER |
JACK HAMILTON | JOSHUA HARPER | BENJAMIN HEALING | BETHANY HEWITT |
JESSE JEWKES | GRACE JONES | MEGAN NOCK | SARAH RALPH | LOUIS SIMCOX |
CHARLIE SOUTHWELL | MADDISON WELLSBURY | ELLIOT WILLIAMS |
MEGAN WOOD | CALLUM WOODALL | VALENTINA ZIVANOVIC

Lexie Baker

Miah Bryan

Hollie Carrington

Corey Challenger

HCA One to Watch Award – 2nd place

Jack Hamilton

Joshua Harper

Benjamin Healing

Bethany Hewitt

Jesse Jewkes

Grace Jones

Megan Nock

Sarah Ralph

Louis Simcox

Charlie Southwell

Maddison Wellsbury

Elliot Williams

Megan Wood

HCA One to Watch Award – 1st place

Callum Woodall

Valentina Zivanovic

BTEC L3 Ext Diploma Yr 1 Best Six Images 2022BTEC L3 Ext Diploma Yr 1 Best Six Images 2022

BTEC L3 EXT DIPLOMA YR1 BEST SIX IMAGES

Aisha Anam

CLICK HERE TO SEE AISHA’S GALLERY

Kayde Bills

CLICK HERE TO SEE KAYDE’S GALLERY

Aaron Buck

CLICK HERE TO SEE AARON’S GALLERY

Mamadu Camara Ceesay

CLICK HERE TO SEE MAMADU’S GALLERY

Harriet Drewery

CLICK HERE TO SEE HARRIET’S GALLERY

Jessica Gillard

CLICK HERE TO SEE JESSICA’S GALLERY

Georgia Gould

CLICK HERE TO SEE GEORGIA’S GALLERY

Asia Graves

CLICK HERE TO SEE ASIA’S GALLERY

Thomas Hendrie

CLICK HERE TO SEE THOMAS’ GALLERY

Chloe Lowther

CLICK HERE TO SEE CHLOE’S GALLERY

Caitlin Morton

CLICK HERE TO SEE CAITLIN’S GALLERY

Marni Parkes

CLICK HERE TO SEE MARNI’S GALLERY

Olivia Rhoden

CLICK HERE TO SEE OLIVIA’S GALLERY

Jordy Webb

CLICK HERE TO SEE JORDY’S GALLERY

Cassidy Woodrow

CLICK HERE TO SEE CASSIDY’S GALLERY