In July, two, three day workshops were conducted on digital photography and computer editing of these images with Adobe Photoshop. The workshops were held in the ‘computer train’ at the Bourke Primary School and were facilitated by Melbourne based photographer, Rachel Taylor. The workshops were designed to increase the participants knowledge of photography, digital photography and computer editing techniques as well as provide a new format for addressing stormwater awareness and education.

After a steep learning curve on the cameras, the computers and the software, the participants were given a map of Bourke indicating the stormwater discharge pipes and the drainage system of the town. They were then split into small groups of two and three and sent out to make a ‘photo documentary’. Essentially this meant starting as far from the discharge pipes as possible and following and photographing the drainage system back to the river. They were encouraged to be ‘non lineal’ in their approach and not follow obvious topography, but rather let their eye and interest lead them. They were asked to consult their educational pamphlets to tick off the checklist of stormwater components as they went. This essentially gave each student a ‘bank’ of images they could then work with and manipulate in order to tell the story they wanted to.

I found the workshops to be an excellent tool for education as well as a great resource for awareness and promotion. All the participants were forced to ‘see’ our drainage system, pollutants and our river and to try and relate these images to others. The images all have a lasting power and can be presented in a variety of interesting ways as well as exhibition and the internet.

Click on the thumbnails below to see large version of all pieces