“*To photograph: it is to put on the same line of sight the head, the eye and the heart.”*
*Henri Cartier-Bresson*

On Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th of May I worked with photographer Mohamed Hassan to deliver photography workshops for the community of Carmarthenshire at Criwdem Celf in Carmarthen, a new artist-led space on King Street and The Creative Space, a multi-purpose community arts space based in North Dock, Llanelli. Since March, Mohamed has been creating new work for Oriel Myrddin through a project called Threads of Belonging, which looks at the interwoven nature of identity and belonging in contemporary Wales. The final outcomes of the project will be permanently exhibited in the new gallery when it reopens in the Autumn. Through the workshops there was a chance for Mohamed to explore these ideas in a collaborative environment, with individuals from Carmarthenshire where together we shared the learnings of storytelling in photography to deepen and connect with visual narratives.
Image: Selection of Mohamed Hassan's photographs captured by Abby Poulson

Participants gathered in the morning at The Creative Space, Llanelli | Captured by Abby Poulson

It was inspirational to see where the participants were at in their photography journeys. Some were at the beginning and were still learning to use a camera, others had engaged in photography classes before and were questioning whether to pursue it further through higher education. Some regularly attend photo-clubs, or were photography enthusiasts and others were artists who use photography alongside their main medium as a tool for documenting and recording. One participant was interested in ways photography is used in more rural settings in Wales, in contrast to their experience of photographing and growing up in Hong Kong.

For one of the workshop activities, participants were asked to pick an image from a selection of Mohamed’s photographs and then select further images to create a sequence and tell a story. For some participants, it would’ve been the first time thinking about how images can connect in a series instead of stand-alone and is a great exercise for thinking about the way images are selected and sequenced for books, or exhibitions. Being able to play with and edit another artist’s worked helped the participants to realise themes, interests and ways of working that they’re drawn to in their own practice too, and potential new avenues that they could explore.

Walking with a camera is something that photographer’s often do alone, but going on a photo walk is a more communal way of photographing, and sharing a walk with a group of photographers can be a great experience for learning and trying new things. In the morning we’d learnt about photographers, played with sequencing photographs, had group discussions, looked at photobooks, and talked about Mohamed’s project, Threads of Belonging. In the afternoon, we then went on a photo walk with the task of creating a diptych, two side-by-side images that come together to make a singular work, including a portrait image, and an image of landscape/place. This task could be challenged in any way.

Photograph of participant taken by Tim Chapman

During our Llanelli photo walk at North Dock, I was stopped by a gentleman who asked what we were doing, baring in mind we had 11 photographers near the beach moving around very mindfully, looking through their cameras. I said we were on a photo walk and had been doing a photography workshop all day at the Creative Space, and he asked why we were doing it in Llanelli, aren’t there nicer places? Why haven’t we gone to Llansteffan or the Gower? My reply was ‘Well here’s nice too.’ And Carmarthen and Llanelli did look amazing, especially with the sunshine we had, and they were alive with people enjoying the spaces. This strengthened the importance of having these kinds of workshops locally where local people could join in and engage with their place. It was recognisable that participants in the workshop did care about this, and their photography and creative practices were closely connected to their immediate surroundings, personal histories and contexts of places.

Both photography workshops were joyous. It was inspiring to hear Mohamed talk about his experience of using photography as a tool to discover, understand and connect with Wales, and see the multitude of images and book dummies he’s produced in that ongoing journey of developing photographic practice. In the activities we engaged in group crits, which are a way to learn with peers by presenting work, listening to critique and offering constructive feedback to others. We also got to see the dummy of Mohamed’s new book, Our Hidden Room which explores his father’s life, from a childhood in an Alexandrian Orphanage to his time in the Egyptian army, and how photography became a refuge in the face of mental illness. This book has now been published in Spain and is available in Spanish and English.

Thank you to Mohamed Hassan, for sharing his photographic journey so openly with us throughout the workshops, and to all the participants who joined and engaged in the activities. Thank you also to Criwdem Celf and The Creative Space for allowing us to have a creative base for the day, and to the team at Oriel Myrddin for making this happen.

Journal written by Abby Poulson.