Visit to the Cardiff Museum / No Such Thing as Society - Photography Exhibition

From spending time in the exhibition I noticed a variety of social class in the photographs. The middle class and the working poor class particularly came across quite clearly. The differences in the social class in some photographs are strongly conveyed between the working poor, middle class and the capitalist class. One photograph which stood out for me, representing the capitalist class, was ‘Ascot’ 1973 by John Benton Harris. They show typical characteristics of top level executives and politicians. However, Paul Graham’s ‘Crouched man, DHSS Waiting Room, Bristol 1984, shows characteristics of the underclass.

From looking at the photographs in colour and then comparing and contrasting them with those in black and white, I do notice a different impact. Many of those in colour appear to be more uplifting, the times seem less harsh and the social class seems to be in a very fortunate position. It emphasises a more joyous view on life.

I would say that the main difference is that with the photographs that contain people we immediately see how they are mentally and physically represented in that social class. We then immediately assume that they may be middle class, for example. With the photos that didn’t contain people they created an impact that the situations of the social class, such as working class, were very difficult, harsh and unnecessary.

I feel that the photo that resonates with me the most is the ‘Portrait of a village’ 1977 by Jurgan Schadeburg. I found this photograph quite haunting to look at in the way that each face was separated from the other by darkness. This helped to encourage the emotions on each face so that I would just see each person at a time. I found it particularly interesting because I feel social class is more often judged by how people look and how they are contrasted from everyone else in society. As I come from a small village it is interesting because there is a variety of social class within the village and each person is different from the other.

Another photograph that I did find quite disturbing to look at was Chris Killip's, Youth on Wall, Jarrow, Tyneside, 1976. It was beautifully framed and shows a young skinhead boy in the very district, that 40 years before had come to symbolise Depression-era England, with the 1936 Jarrow March against poverty and unemployment.

Going into Cardiff High Street, it was certain that I could read what type of social certain class some people were in, though some were harder then others. Those selling magazines and those who sat in the doorways of shops were easier to read. The people in the photographs were all in situations which they are accustomed too, so I found it easier to read the social class of the photographs compared with the people on the street.

Cardiff Bay!

Cardiff Bay is Europes Largest Waterfront Development!

The Wales Millennium Centre (Canolfan Mileniwn Cymru) is venue to one large theatre and two smaller halls, which also includes restaurants, shops and bars. It opened at the end of November 2004, although the second phase of the building did not open until the New Year. The centre has hosted performances of opera, ballet, dance, comedy and musicals.

Films of 2009/2010

Avatar - from the Director of Titanic

-

Valentine's Day - set in Los Angeles, with an all star cast, including Kathy Bates, Jamie Foxx and Ashton Kutcher. The film tells a story of couples and singletons coping with the pressure and expectations of Valentines Day.

Alice in Wonderland -  Tim Burtons interpretation of the Lewis Carroll novel, with a stunning cast, consisting of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Michael Sheen, Stephen Fry and Matt Lucas.

Toy Story 3

Coming to University in Cardiff and starting the degree!

I have to say  the week before I was going to start university, I was beginning to feel a little nervous. The fact that I was goin to be moving out and be living with 5 new people for the next year was daunting. I would try to resist emptying my room out and putting everything into bags and boxes. However, I did feel that it was time to come much more independant.

I really didn't think I would make so many friends in such a short space of time, but the fact that I have now been here for over a month, and the amount of great people I have met is truly amazing.

My course Media Studies with Visual Cultures is going well, I was expecting to be in a large theatre with about a hundred people in the room, but the fact that my course is a in a classroom of about twenty people is great. Overall, the course is a little difficult at times, but I do find it very interesting.

Hopes and Aspirations

After undertaking my week of experience at the local newspaper, I felt sure that this was the sort of career that I wanted to pursue. I really enjoyed being in that sort of working environment as I found it exciting and I do have a really keen interest in the media.

For a while though I have always wanted to work for a big magazine, where my main focus would be on writing. I do have a keen interest in the fashion industry and to work in London for Elle, Glamour or Vogue would literally be the icing on the cake. Though of course that sort of profession to be in, is constantly filled wth pressure, but I feel it is something that has always interested me.

Holiday 07!

CRUISE


Monte Carlo

Another hope that I have, would be to travel, back in 2007 I went on a cruise with my family and it really opened my eyes to the rest of the world. I saw landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum in Rome. It was really an amazing experience, it is definitley on my to-do lists to travel the world.

When in Rome!

The Vatican

Pisa

Curriculum Vitae

Sarah Catherine Lane
Date of birth: 02/02/91

About Me:

My secondary school was Queen Elizabeth High School in Carmarthen, where I was a pupil from 2002 to 2009. During these years I engaged in many school activities. This included being a part of the netball and hockey team where I competed against many schools in the county. I was also a part of  the Celtic Enterprise team two years running. This was a great learning experience and I picked up many skills, such as working in a team, using I.T, public speaking. Building on these skills as enabled me to be the person I am today. Another activity was working with 'The Young Americans'. They came to my school during the summer of 2003 and was a three day programme of singing, dancing and acting. This was a huge confidence build at the time and especially helped during the awkward stages of secondary school. http://www.youngamericans.org/

Skills:

A good listener,
Working well with others,
Hardworking,
Honest,
Reliable,

Education:

UWIC (Media Studies with Visual Cultures) - September 2009 - 2012
Queen Elizabeth High School - September 2002 - 2009
Johnstown C.P School 1995 - 2002

Qualifications:

A Levels


English Language/Literature - C
Art - C
Law - C

Ten GCSE's all A - C grade

Driving Test!

I passed my driving test at the start of October, 2008. Although it has been a year, it does sometimes feel like I'm learning everytime I get in the car.

Employment:

Mansion House Pantyathro (2006 - 2009)
Farmers Arms Pub  (2005 - 2006)
Sticks Hotel (2005 - 2006)
Innisfree Holidays (2005 - 2006)

My most recent job is waitressing at a hotel and restaurant. Where I would work most weekends during the year serving at functions such as weddings, anniversarys and birthdays (even christmas day on one occasion) in the main rooms of the hotel.

I started having a part-time job from about the age of fourteen, where I would waitress in the local pub and mostly help out in the kitchen. From this I then went onto work at a villa complex on the sea front of my local beach, where I worked as a cleaner. However, I found the work quite exhausting and the pay was not exactly brilliant. I have had some odd jobs, like working at a burger van which was situated on the building site of the new Tesco Extra in Carmarthen.

Work Experience:

September 2008 - Carmarthen Journal
June 2006           - Llansteffan Primary School
2005/06              - Trading Standards

The most recent work experience I have had was with my local newspaper, The Carmarthen Journal. This gave me a really good insight into what is involved. I even had the chance to write articles, which would then be featured in the paper for the following week. From this I learnt how much pressure is involved in publishing a weekely newspaper. It even showed me how important a concise and accurate style is required for journalistic writing. I really enjoyed working in that sort of environment, though sometimes I did feel a little under pressure.

In 2006, I attended Llansteffan Primary School as part of my year ten work experience. I felt that undertaking this would help to decide it was was a career I wanted to pursue.

Aside from part-time jobs, I have worked voluntarily for Carmarthenshire County Council, which I took part in during 2005 and 2006. As I would take part in 'sting operations' by purchasing alcohol from shops for Trading Standards as a young volunteer.