Third Diary Entry and Polaroids

My Third Diary Entry

Polaroids From The Day

Uncle Mark

A family photograph - Reece, Me, My Dad, Uncle Mark,

Uncle Kevin, Auntie Suzie and My Mum

Auntie Suzie, Uncle Mark and Uncle Kevin

A quick snapshot of My Mum, Reece, Me

and My Dad's arm

Half of My Mum, Reece, Me and My Dad

Second Diary Entry and Polaroids

My Second Diary Entry

Polaroids From The Day

My Dad and Uncle Mark

A staff members top

Cardboard cut out of Daniel O'Donnell

His chair, pillow and microphone

His posters

Paul - a member of staff

A member of staff in the living room

Another member of staff in the living room

My car

A member of staff's car

Another member of staff's car

A brick wall and a tree

Maria - a member of staff

Shane - a member of staff

Photo collage in the dining room

The bathroom

Uncle Mark

A member of staff

My Dad

Shane and My Dad

Second Photoshoot Contact Sheet

This was my second shoot for the project. This time I brought my Instax Mini 8 polaroid camera with me so that I could teach my uncle how to take photographs. I set the camera up onto the house setting and inserted the film so that it was ready for him to take photos. I asked staff member Maria to accompany me around the site and she was very excited to be apart of this project and was more than happy to assist my uncle with taking the photographs. Feeling inspired by David Moore's maquettes of his photographs I decided to come up with my own way of showing the presence of the photographer by photographing my uncle as he took his pictures.

First Diary Entry

My First Diary Entry

First Photoshoot Contact Sheet

This is my first photoshoot for this project. I wanted to take photographs of my uncle using my DSLR to show the kind activities that performs on an everyday basis whether it's making himself a cup of lemon tea or practicing his singing. I also wanted to use this time for him to get used to being photographed in his home as well as explaining to him the idea for the collaborative project that we would be working on together. It was also a chance for me to meet some of the staff including his key worker and I also explained the project to them. The only rule that they had was that neither my uncle Mark or myself could photograph any of the other service users (residents) because of data protection which was fine for me as I wanted the project to be solely about my uncle, my family and me.

My Starting Point

Before I started this project I didn't really have any knowledge about what Down Syndrome was. Growing up I always knew that my uncle Mark was different and my sister and I never got sheltered away from him which is lovely thinking about it as years ago people with Down Syndrome would have been hidden away from literally everyone. 

The main aim for my work is to develop a close relationship with my uncle through a collaborative photography project, my other aim is to gain a better understanding of Down Syndrome and how it is portrayed and talked about in todays society. My nan (my uncle Mark's mum) died when I was 10 years old so I never really got the chance to ask her about my uncle Mark's disability. My uncle was someone that she loved and cared for since day 1 and he definitely had a special place in her heart, because of that they was extremely close so I feel that by producing this collaborative project with him, that is my way of reconnecting with her.

I will be teaching my uncle how to use my Instax Mini 8 Polaroid Camera as I feel that my DSLR might be too complicated for him and it may also be too heavy. There will be a more positive outcome by letting him take photographs using a polaroid camera, not only does he get an instant result but he will be able to watch as it develops and he will be able to see his photographs appearing which I think he will find more enjoyable.

I wrote small diary entries of thoughts and feelings for each time that I went to visit so I will insert photographs of each diary entry throughout the project.

Project Proposal Form and Timetable