UCW student Joseph Kirkman is to set up a photography gallery on the Isle of Lewis when he completes his degree in Lens-based Media this summer.
Joseph’s plans have been disrupted by the coronavirus crisis, but he has family connections to the Outer Hebrides and hopes the business, which will sell his own photographs and also work by other islanders, will appeal to locals and tourists alike.
Joseph’s abstract landscapes are created using intentional camera movements and post-production techniques, and his work received an outstanding endorsement when the collection, called Seasmhach, was liked more than 1,500 times by followers of the Royal Photography Society as part of a recent UCW Instagram takeover.
He said: “I am particularly drawn to the use of colour and light in images and the emotive feeling that can be gained from an image.
“I feel the course has allowed me to build confidence in my photographic skills and develop my own style as a photographer.
“The tutors have guided me through differing genres and areas of photography, which I enjoyed, to support my creativity and direction.
“I feel particularly in this final year of the course that it has provided me with the necessary confidence, business awareness and professional understanding to begin my career as a self-employed professional photographer.
“I am excited by the future, living and working on the Isle of Lewis, and looking forward to getting started in developing my new business and gallery.”
UCW Photography in Practice degree coordinator Sam Brooks added: “Joseph has done exceedingly well in making use of the time studying to develop his practice, both in terms of his own creative output as well as in professional terms.
“His work has come on incredibly with stunning landscapes, which make use of abstract light and colours and really convey the drama of sea, sky and land.
“We can’t wait to visit the gallery!”
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The degrees in Photography in Practice and Lens-based Media at UCW are delivered in partnership with Bath Spa University.
