THE RESPONSE TO a series of events designed to introduce young people in Moray to photography and filming skills has been described as ‘phenomenal’.
The Elgin Youth Café is currently in the middle of workshops which began in the middle of last month.
Running under the banner ‘Tribute to Perception of Light’, the workshops were inspired by local photographer Eilidh Thomson who passed away in July 2014 aged just 29. A sale of Eilidh’s work organised by Moray College UHI last year raised £3000 – and that has been used to pay for the series of ‘taster sessions’ at the Youth Café.
Kate Armitage, who is the senior youth worker at the Café, said: “We did have an indication that the photography and filming project was going to be popular due to the number of phone enquiries we have had over the last couple of weeks – however, we were astounded by the sign up to all the taster sessions.
“The uptake has been so amazing from young people throughout Moray that we have had to put on extra and change the format of the sessions. This will mean that we are able to cater for the demand of the taster sessions as well as still having the flexibility for young people to drop in on the night.”
The taster sessions kicked off on March 24 with a Pin-hole camera session led by Chris Bird
Chris said: “I have worked with the young people at the Elgin Youth Café before introducing the process of Pinhole Photography and when I was asked to be involved with this project which pays tribute to Eilidh Thomson and her worked I couldn’t say no!”
“At the taster session we showed how using the simplest Camera Obscura is a great way of understanding the history and science of photography, but can also be a very creative and fun.”
People can still be involved in the sessions for which more information can be found by contacting the Elgin Youth Café on 01343 548300 or visiting them at www.elginyouthcafe.org.
insideMoray is taking part in the sessions through delivering an insight into the growth of community journalism, demonstrating how young people can progress using photography, video and writing into a professional career. That session is being held on Thursday, April 14 and places can be booked by using the contacts above.