News / 18 Nov 2024
Creative Writing and Photography students collaborate for The Guardian
BA (Hons) Creative Writing
BA (Hons) Photography
Second year students studying BA (Hons) Photography and BA (Hons) Creative Writing were given the opportunity to collaborate on an article to be published in The Guardian.
The brief was set by Grace Halliday, BA (Hons) Creative Writing Senior Lecturer, who has been writing The Guardian’s weekly Smart Shot column since 2021. Smart Shot features an interview with photographers, both amateur and professional, about one of their best photographs taken on a smartphone.
Using this industry brief as inspiration, our Photography students were asked to take a photograph on a smartphone, and Creative Writing students tasked with compiling suitable interview questions. Our Creative Writing students would then interview the photographer and write up a 250 word article. The students received guidance from Rob Fearn, Deputy Editor and Lou Siroy, Deputy Picture Editor of The Guardian’s Saturday magazine, who shared their thoughts on what they look for when choosing an image for Smart Shot.
"I think everyone is drawn to a well composed image, but perhaps the main thing I consider is whether there might be a bit of a story behind it - involving the characters in the picture, or how it came about."
Rob Fearn, Deputy Editor, The Guardian's Saturday magazine
Grace then shared the results of the project with Rob and Lou who asked to commission the piece by Jessica Osborne, BA (Hons) Creative Writing, and Tom Baker, BA (Hons) Photography.
"We'd love to run the crow from Tom Baker and Jessica Osborne. We love the deeply rich image...with the light and fun story; the info about the dad's shed full of stupid cameras that don't work, film everywhere...his preempting the eventual reminiscence...the intention of photographing rabbits but ended up with the bird...wanting to prove his father wrong but coming around to his way...genuinely warm and funny.”
Lou Siroy, Deputy Picture Editor, The Guardian’s Saturday magazine
The two students were each paid for their work, which was published in The Guardian online and in print on 9 November 2024.
"Seeing my work published in The Guardian was a surreal and rewarding experience. This milestone has inspired me to pursue further submissions and professional opportunities. After university, I’m eager to travel, capturing diverse cultures and unique stories through street photography as I continue building my portfolio and refining my style."
Tom Baker, BA (Hons) Photography student