"An Unseen Oxford" Photography Project

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Peter David Grant

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"An Unseen Oxford" Photography Project

Hi Guys,

I've been working on a project for the last two years, which is still going strong, so I thought it was about time I started a thread here, where I could start sharing images that I've taken, and more that I've not yet taken.

The project spawned out of my desire to get into places I wouldn't otherwise be allowed to be in, and it continues to delight me in that regard every time I go out to photograph.

An Unseen Oxford is an ongoing a documentary photography project based in and around the City of Oxford that aims to look behind the known or seen and find people and activities which most residents and visitors wouldn’t notice or realise they were there. Its goal is to remind us of the things we so easily take for granted.

The project started with photographing a violin maker and restorer, and that is what I'll share here first:

1.
aOxford%20Violins%20%233-1.jpg


2.
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3.
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4.
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5.
aOxford%20Violins%20%231-1.jpg


6.
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7.
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http://www.peterdavidgrant.com/oxford-violins
 
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helenhill said:
Oh hey Peter
I don't see your 7 photos posted above ... ?
But peeking at the 18 photos posted on your link below
Looks Great, lovely light, moody !!

I might have arranged the photos in a different order (purely subjective)
and left the Last photo of the tea kettle out
Click to expand...

Oops - should be fixed now! I was trying to use Google Photos to host the images but doesn't appear to have worked for you! They are on dropbox now.

Thank you for having a look on the site given the lack of images here! Yeah sequencing is a hard thing. Currently with the project I've been sequencing as I've gone along, but in a few years when I hope to self-publish a book on the project (when it'll be finished) I'll be able to work on the overall sequence as well as each individual essay.

Thanks for checking them out!
 
Brilliant photos! I have a similar take on life. I enjoy changing jobs and learning about all of the behind the scenes cogs that keep business and industries going. Fascinating project.

These images tell fantastic stories. Please keep the photos coming!
 
nikonhswebmaster said:
Great Oxford Bus Company photos! Like the guy in your photo, I love buses, from Dinky toys, to real ones! :)

How did you get such intimate access to the facilities?
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Hey, yeah I loved finding him with his sign!

Getting access was one of the first things I had to work out when switching from Street to Documentary. So far I've found a very well written email gives me 50/50 chance of then getting in. I actually wrote a post on it, over on Digital Photography School a while ago, which you might find useful:

http://digital-photography-school.com/4-steps-to-help-you-start-a-documentary-photography-project/

In summary though:

1. Understand what you're interested in, and why you want to be there
2. Research as much as you can using the internet
3. Write a well written email, that shows your understanding of what they do, and your passion.

I also wrote an ebook, breaking down the process further, which you can download by going here: http://www.peterdavidgrant.com/dps-welcome

If you need any other help when trying it yourself, drop me an email: peter@peterdavidgrant.com

Peter
 
Talus said:
Brilliant photos! I have a similar take on life. I enjoy changing jobs and learning about all of the behind the scenes cogs that keep business and industries going. Fascinating project.

These images tell fantastic stories. Please keep the photos coming!
Click to expand...

Yes I can definitely relate to that! With the bus company, I had a proper induction, as if I was one of the crew! On the second day I went out with them all, as they learnt to drive buses:

L1021436.jpg
 
daveleo said:
Very nice work. Love the look and feel of your pictures and your close attention to composition.
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Hi Daveleo,

Thank you for the comment! Composition is a weird old thing - I mostly feel they are a bit lacking, but for what I can never tell! Still I'm pleased with how things are progressing! I'll be sure to post more as the project progresses.

Peter
 
charjohncarter said:
Nice project, the luthier shop is great. If luthier includes violins. I like your ideas.
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I believe it does include violins, yes! I hope to go back at some point and capture them making a violin from scratch, as most of their work is restoring very old string instruments that pro's use (violins, violas and cellos).

Below is a cast of a Stradivarius from 1710!

L1015647.jpg
 
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I love this project! Really great connection with & documentary of your subjects, and simply excellent images!

Thanks for sharing, and thanks very much for also sharing your post / e-Book. VERY inspirational for me where I am with my photography at the moment!

Looking forward to seeing how this project develops!
 
KarlG said:
I love this project! Really great connection with & documentary of your subjects, and simply excellent images!

Thanks for sharing, and thanks very much for also sharing your post / e-Book. VERY inspirational for me where I am with my photography at the moment!

Looking forward to seeing how this project develops!
Click to expand...

Hi Karl,

Super glad you found the e-book useful - I had to dig it out again for this post. Had a few people download it, so it was worth doing. Don't hesitate to email me directly if you've got any questions about access that I might be able to help with (peter@peterdavidgrant.com).

Good luck!
Peter
 
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