Picture This - A Friendly Place to Improve Your Photography

The TV participants represent some of the UK’s most exciting new digital photography talent, chosen for their postings to this website in late 2007.

They’ll go head to head during the series, stretching their creative and technical abilities in challenging photography assignments assessed by a panel of famous industry judges.

And the most talented of the bunch will go on to win the title of Britain’s best new digital photographer, getting their work published in an exclusive book and showcased in a dedicated exhibition.

You’ll get the chance to view and comment on TV participants photos in detail on this site in the New Year and they may even drop by to comment on yours in return

Read more about the TV contestants below.

Carolyn Mendelsohn

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Biography

I was born in London and now live in Shipley, West Yorkshire and have a degree in Creative and Performing Arts. In the past I have worked in theatre, and as an artist and film-maker. I have a wonderful partner and 3 children– ages 7, 3 and 1, this has meant that my working life has had to fundamentally change. I started taking photographs a year ago, and fit it around my family life.

www.carolynmendelsohn.com

Why did I fall in love with photography?

As a child I used to go to my grandfather’s house, and stand for hours gazing at an old framed photograph. It was quite a simple photo taken in the 1930’s by my great, great uncle. Trees in Mist. There was something magical about this image, something that drew me in, and held me there, and fuelled my imagination.

I admired “Proper” Photographers but didn’t imagine I could have that kind of skill, so I didn’t try. A year ago I picked up a camera and started to take pictures, something happened for me, it was like an epiphany and from then on I was obsessed with taking photographs and learning to become a better at it.

What who influences you?

So many different things influence me; film, art, music/sound, but in particular artists like Vermeer. I love the quality of light in his beautiful paintings. I think all these influence the work I aspire to create. Photographs that have the quality of a story, or a cinematic feel or are a stilled moment in time.

I also love work by photographers such as Wee gee, Diane Arbus, Sally Mann and Gary Isaacs – there is a darkness to their work. They portray a different side to life. They all encourage one to go beyond the surface of the picture.

What is your favorite photograph that you've captured and why?

My favorite photo changes everyday. One of them is ‘Iconic feet’ I took the photograph of a friend with her new baby. I wanted to create an image that had an iconic feel. (Like a detail from an old painting) something that had a duality to it. So not only do we get the traditional image of hands cradling the new feet, but also another picture appears, something that makes you look closer at the image, there is dirt and grubbiness, as if this picture was discarded somewhere, then picked up. A lost and found treasure.

What would your ideal photo shoot look like?

I would love to shoot more in a studio situation and get the opportunity to play with light.
A great location - Ideally I would love to find an old building with character, possibly very dilapidated , and find characterful, ordinary/extraordinary people to create images within the building, to invent stories and create tableauxs.
When I was a child I used to dream of going to Africa climbing trees and taking photographs of Lions – I’d still love to.

What is more important, creativity or technique?

Creativity definitely but with a background of good technique. Personally I have the creativity but I am sometimes held back by my lack of technical knowledge. Something that I am constantly working on.

What skills do you definitely need as a photographer?

It depends what kind of photographer you want to be. There are so many areas and genres of photography. On a basic level it helps to have a good eye, an interest in the world around you, curiosity, and a grasp on the technicalities behind taking a good picture. Oh yes -Always carry a camera!

Are good pictures more the result of good planning or spontaneity?

I would say good planning is needed to make the most of a photographic assignment. Of course some amazing photographs result from spontaneity, being in the right place at the right time, and being prepared.

Which experiences did you gain during the TV show?

I was put into situations I had never experienced before. It was hugely challenging. I left my family (3 small children) to come down. I was petrified at first, but it was also such a wonderful opportunity to spend time doing what I love doing - taking photographs. Meeting the other photographers was great too. We are all so different and have come into photography in very different ways. It was inspiring. Being on Picture This was a total photographic immersion, an experience I would never have had the opportunity to have in my normal life. I have learnt a lot from it.

Episode 1

View Carolyn's profile

Carolyn Mendelsohn's Projects

Self-Portrait

Half way up the stairs

Uploaded on 11/12/2007

21 comments

1 Versions

Documentary

Sunday Football

Uploaded on 10/01/2008

8 comments

2 Versions

Liquids

Spray - Slow down

Uploaded on 26/02/2008

2 comments

1 Versions

My Passion: A Personal Project

Oscar

Uploaded on 07/03/2008

9 comments

2 Versions

Communication: say something without words

Mother Daughter

Uploaded on 09/02/2008

4 comments

1 Versions

Contrast

Ghosts

Uploaded on 19/02/2008

0 comments

1 Versions

The Colour Red

Here's looking at you!

Uploaded on 01/03/2008

1 comments

1 Versions

Landscape

Barn Dark

Uploaded on 13/03/2008

1 comments

1 Versions

Duos

Finding Myself

Uploaded on 09/04/2008

3 comments

1 Versions

I Love Music

Darkness

Uploaded on 09/04/2008

2 comments

1 Versions

Beauty in the Banal

Snowstorm Shrine

Uploaded on 16/05/2008

0 comments

1 Versions

Outdoor Portraiture

Reservoir Cat

Uploaded on 20/05/2008

1 comments

1 Versions

Going for a Walk

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Uploaded on 04/06/2008

4 comments

1 Versions

Motion

Leap

Uploaded on 17/06/2008

4 comments

1 Versions

Love

Kiss Goodbye

Uploaded on 26/07/2008

3 comments

1 Versions

Street Photography

Street 3

Uploaded on 27/08/2008

0 comments

1 Versions

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Please leave a helpful comment here. When you give feedback make sure you let people know exactly what is great about their photo as well what does not work for you, always include useful suggestions on how the photo could be improved.

fotoflippr said...

Great complimentary tones on this - it looks like a very interesting location. I love the way the colours on the wall and your clothing match, everything blends together very well.

Posted on 09/01/2008 22:27

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Paulm0bsw said...

I don't think they should have got rid of anyone the first week, you have not been given a chance to get settled in, thought the judges were very dismissive, please don't give up.

Posted on 11/01/2008 20:44

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babycatface said...

I agree with Paul... I thought you did really well and for me, your portrait of Germaine was by far the best...I felt it reflected her personality and the lighting was beautiful...like an artwork. I was disapointed that no-one without a formal photography qualification got through to the next stage...what kind of message does this send out to those of us lesser mortals who would like to put our stamp on the world but just can't seem to find a babysitter... I wonder what Germaine has to say about this :)

Posted on 12/01/2008 00:27

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rovingricey said...

Again, I agree with the comments above. I thought your portrait of Germaine was by far the best; it looked honest, interesting and actually seemed to have some relevance to the woman herself and her work. I wish you all the best with your new career in photography.

Posted on 13/01/2008 18:48

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imagegrabber said...

its a great pity you got put out the first week, I loved your portrait of Germaine, I felt it had an honest quality about it, getting a picture that shows the person inside is difficult in the surroundings you were in under that kind of presure...I think you couldve and will give them all a run for their money

Posted on 15/01/2008 13:14

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Tarlyn said...

Wow, Thank you all so much for your positive comments. I am endeavoring to learn more and improve my photography on a daily basis. I loved having the opportunity to photograph Germaine, (It was actually our third assignment) it was very scary (never having done any studio work), but fantastic. I based my portrait on the iconic Christine Keeler photograph (DIana was also photographed in the same way - Germaine being a huge critic of hers.), and I felt it would be really interesting (and apt) to see Germaine own that chair too.

Posted on 16/01/2008 02:02

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