The end.

The images are now off the walls and frames, wrapped in bubble wrap ready for sorting...

The project, reviewed...

Alexander Norton is a Basingstoke based photographer who has just graduated from Newport.  Apart from making rather interesting work himself (watch out, he is a bit of a trail blazer in certain regards), he is also developing a reputation as a reviewer.  Luckily for me, I know him a bit and fabulously for me, he came and had a look at the show.  Click here to read his review.

Other mini reviews have come from the comments in the little black book left in the gallery.  Obviously, I do particularly like the positive ones,

 but I have to admit that the following one is rather a favourite:

It's all subjective, isn't it and for this visitor, my portraits really didn't hit any kind of positive spot.  I do appreciate the fact that they took the time to write their feedback though.  Thanks, Anonymous One.


To see some of Alexander Norton's work, check out his website: and read more of his reviews at The Daily Mention.  Enjoy.

Finally: The Show!

Thank you to everyone who made it to The Willis Museum yesterday for the opening: it was great to see you all!

I loved some of the comments in the visitors' book - including the one below by Caroline.  Our shoot had to be postponed three times due to the weather, and we finally made it on the 4th.  So happy that she and her dad, John, were happy to keep trying.  Thank you!

Final words from a five year old critic:

 Bless.

Hanging the Show. Day I

The best plans of mice and men...  Because of the Mayoral reception, the show that should have come down on Tuesday, only was removed from the walls at 3 p.m. yesterday.  The knock on effect of this is that holes had not been filled in and walls had not been painted.  Did this phase us?  No, of course not.  Thanks to Marian at The Willis for her sanding and to my friend Malika and step-dad Richard for the painting, we managed to get the walls ready for the images to start going up this afternoon.

Three up.  25 singles, two triptychs and one info board to go...

I get to all the best parties

Yesterday, July 11th, the Olympic torch relay came through Basingstoke.  The crowds were 5 deep, the flags were waving and the sun even made an appearance.  Amazing.  Although I had 'broken through the cordon' to get to a spot in the market square, I couldn't actually see what was happening,  Oh to be over 6ft, or own a pair of stilts...

But, my lack of physical stature really didn't matter as I had a Basingstoke golden ticket, an invite to the Mayor's reception at the Willis which meant that after cupcakes and speeches, I got my hands on the real torch.  Yes, the real torch.  In fact, torches - one from 1948 (which a certain leisure centre manager cruelly described as looking more like a toilet brush and holder) and one from 2012!  Thank you, Matthew, fresh from the relay, for letting us all get our sticky fingers on it.

The reason all of these wonders were opened up to me?  My exhibition!  Awesome.

Thank you to all of these clubs

Everyone photographed for the exhibition volunteered their time.  I would like to thank them, and the clubs of which they are members (for without contacting the clubs direct, I would not have been able to make this work.)

- Golden Ring Boxing Club - http://www.goldenringabc.co.uk/

- Southampton Epee Club - http://www.southampton-epee.co.uk/

- Scorpion Judo Club - http://scorpionjudoclub.com/

- Southampton Diving Academy - http://www.southamptondiving.co.uk/

- Basingstoke Hockey Club - http://www.basingstoke-hockey.com/

- Rushmoor Synchronised Swimming Club - http://www.rssc.org.uk/

- Canoe England - http://www.canoe-england.org.uk/

- North Hampshire Road Club (cycling) - http://www.nhrc.co.uk/Welcome.html

- Basingstoke Gymnastics Club - http://www.basingstokegym.co.uk/

- Havant Rifle and Pistol Club - http://www.havant-rpc.org.uk/

- Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club - http://www.bmhac.co.uk/

- Phoenix Badminton Club - http://www.phoenixbadminton.hampshire.org.uk/

- Hampshire Hornets Wheelchair Basketball Club - http://www.hampshirehornets.co.uk/

- BTC Rowing Club - http://www.btcrowingclub.co.uk/

- Basingstoke Volleyball Club - http://www.basingstokevc.org.uk/bvc/

- Overton and Basingstoke Taekwondo - http://www.obtkd.org.uk/

- Basingstoke Bluefins Water Polo - http://www.bluefinspolo.co.uk/

- Bluefins Swimming Club - http://www.swimbluefins.org/

- Totally Tennis Basingstoke - http://www.totallytennis.co.uk/

- Old Basing Archers - http://www.oldbasingarchers.co.uk/

- Modern Pentathlon Southern Region - http://www.srmpa.co.uk/

- English Table Tennis Association - http://etta.co.uk/

- Basingstoke Volleyball Club - http://www.basingstokevc.org.uk/bvc/

- Marchwood Yacht Club - http://www.marchwoodyc.org.uk/mycpublic/

- Weighlifting portrait shot at - http://www.sportscentre.org.uk/

- Handball portrait shot at - http://www.qmc.ac.uk/sports-centre
- Badminton portrait shot at - Everest Community College 

- Football portrait shot at the War Memorial Park, Basingstoke 

Sadly, I was not able to find a wrestler, beach volleyball player, or softball player to photograph for the show....  If any reader has a photograph of themselves doing any of these sports, perhaps you could let me have a copy for the exhibition and I will find a way to include it...  Contact me on denise.docphot@sportingchance.gmail.com if you do!

Tying up loose ends...

With just under a week to go until I start getting the images on the wall, it's time to get a little bit excited.  I've got some rather fine people making things happen in the background - Simon Regan is doing the printing and Peter Taylor is constructing the handmade frames and getting the prints safe inside.  On standby to help get the work on the wall are my step-dad, Richard, my partner, Lyn and my good friend, Malika who is coming from France!  Being roped in to serve drinks on the day (although she doesn't know it yet) will be another special friend, so thanks in advance, Karen!

Oh - and my business cards have arrived.

Almost there...

The hunt for professional printers and framers is over!  Based on recommendations by ex-students and current staff at Newport, I have decided to go with Simon Regan and Peter Taylor to transform my digital files into work that will hang on the Willis walls.  I had thought about getting the work framed in Hampshire, as the project is geographically focused, but then it clicked: Newport had been kind enough to give me a bursary towards the show, and I should use Welsh talent and craftsmen.  I am very happy with my decision!

I've also been shooting a bit more, photographing a hand-ball player and a wheelchair basketball athlete over the past couple of days.  On Thursday, I will photograph a gymnast from Basingstoke Gymnastics Club and I shall almost be done...

To find out more about Basingstoke Gymnastics Club, click here

Discover The Hampshire Hornets here

The Poster

It's amazing to think that the show will actually open in just under one month!

The poster has been designed though and I am very happy with it (apart from the fact that I forgot to say that the show is in 2012!)  So, many thanks to Christie Powers who transformed the brief into the real thing.  Christie is a fellow student at Newport who, like me is heading into her final year!

WRESTLING: Does it happen in Hants?

Like most people with siblings, I am sure that I did my own fair share of wrestling as a child.  In fact, one of my fondest memories is of my ex-soldier and double amputee grandfather, propelling himself from an orange armchair to tackle my three year old brother and tickle-wrestle him into submission.  In fact, when I stop to reflect on my growing up, wrestling was a major part.  My Nana Morton was a big fan.  Fag in one hand, cup of tea in the other, she spent many hours yelling encouragement at Big Daddy (and others) as they regularly appeared on the television in the corner.

So, what I want to ask is - where has wrestling gone?  It's obviously still  happening - it's an Olympic sport for goodness sake - but it no longer seems to play an important role in the national psyche.  Actually, was it ever really a national passion, or was it one enjoyed by the working classes more than any other?  I wonder, did the pleasure in wrestling disappear as we all became more upwardly mobile?

I'm called to ponder these questions because I am having no luck finding a Hampshire wrestler...  There is a club in Slough, and one in Bristol and some in London.  But Hampshire?  And what am I going to do if I can't track one down?  I can't even call in my brother as he lives in Berkshire!

It's obvious from the image of Leon, that wrestling now is for athletes and not just performers...  So, if you are out there, somewhere in the county... Please come forward and let A Sporting Chance help to celebrate your sport.

Image of British Olympic hopeful, Leon Rattigan, taken from http://www.sportspeopleaspeople.com
shot by Sam Bowles and David Middleton

To find out more about GB Wrestling, click here

History, Exams and Hampshire Life

Today has been great.  Firstly, I got to meet Tony and learn a little about early 19th century warfare and the history of Southampton and then I photographed two sportsmen who 'should' have been at home revising for their GCSEs and AS levels respectively...  So, thanks for taking a break to come and be photographed: I very much appreciated it.

It also looks as though I might have been able to get a little interest in the project from Hampshire Life magazine...  So, here's hoping that the July edition will include a mini piece about the exhibition...

It's off to London for a photo event for me tomorrow, and then back to Newport to work on my university project for my hand-in.  I shall be back in Hampshire at the weekend and really hope I have managed to track down willing volunteers for the following portraits by then:

table tennis, wrestling, weight-lifting, beach-volleyball, diving, basketball and archery...

Less than two months to go until the show.  How exciting!

The Willis Museum Website and Football

It was really great to hear that the exhibition is now being advertised on the Willis Museum and Art Gallery website.  It's only a little page, but is a massively important milestone for me...  You can see the page in all its glory by clicking, here.

I was also really interested to see that the exhibition that is on at the same time (but in a much bigger room!) is by an artist, illustrator, photographer and graphic designer who has worked for international musicians and even on a couple of Harry Potter movies: how cool is that?  Dave McKean's work can be seen in advance on his website.

Anyway, I've been out a couple of times already today.  Once to photograph Alex, who is representing football in the exhibition, and Bob the badminton player.  I'd like to say a big thank you to Alex's mum and dad for bringing him to the Memorial Park and send a huge good luck message to Alex for his Taekwondo grading this afternoon.  Thanks too to Bob and to John, the Community Manager at Everest Community Academy for letting us use the space for the shoot.

If you want to see what sort of things go on at Everest, click, here.  When we arrived, the Punch and Judy man was packing away and John and his team were setting up for a Dance-a-thon tomorrow: it's a busy and vibrant place.

A busy few days ahead...

I am now back in Basingstoke for a few days and am really happy to have the opportunity to make some more portraits.  By the time I go back to Wales on Tuesday, I will have ticked off eight more events!

I continue to meet some lovely people and want to say again, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who is giving up their time to take part in the project: I really am very grateful.

Here's another 'out-take'; this time it's from my shoot with Dusty, the Bluefins water polo player:

I'm still on the hunt for someone to represent the following sports...  

Archery

Baseball

Basketball

Fencing

Gymnastics

Judo

Sailing

Diving

Softball

Table Tennis

Weightlifting

Wrestling

So, if you have any suggestions, please do send me an email:  denise.sportingchance@gmail.com

A lovely day to be out on one's bike

Thank you, Barry!

Sunshine on the sea wall

Thank you to Caroline for a great shoot down in Lymington.  How pretty it is in the sunshine!

Good luck and all best wishes goes out to Caroline and everyone else running in the Lymington Lifeboat 10K today.  May the wind be in the right direction!

p.s. I must say that I am enjoying capturing these candid, 'What is happening behind me?' shots and I think they might just have to find a place in the exhibition.  Perhaps in a grid?  We shall see...

Anyone for tennis?

Delighted, delighted, delighted!  Firstly, the sun is shining today, which means that shoots will not have to be cancelled due to the wettest April/possibly dampest earliest May on record.  Secondly, I had a really lovely time this morning with two fabulous young tennis players and their super mum.  Thank you for turning out at 9.00 am on a lie-in weekend day, and thank you for being so easy to photograph.

Later on, I am heading down to Lymington to catch up again with triathlete, Caroline.  I am taking TWO cameras, just in case...

If you want to see the real shots of these guys, don't forget...  July 14th to August 11th at the Willis Museum!

And if you feel like a game...  I can recommend Totally Tennis in Basingstoke.  Lovely staff, great facilities and happy tennis players: what more can you ask for?

http://www.totallytennis.co.uk/basingstoke/home

Fun and raindrops on the sea wall...

Two fabulous things about doing this project: I get to meet some really interesting people and I visit new places.  Today, I met Barry and his bicycle at Black Dam Ponds, Basingstoke and Caroline on the sea wall near Lymington.

After postponing various shoots because of the weather, it was a really challenging experience to make pictures in the rain today.  Various questions whizzed through my brain:  What would be the effect of rain on the lens?  How wet can a Nikon D700 get before it starts to go funny?  How quickly will hypothermia set in when the subject is wearing a pretty dress and a nice pair of shoes on the sea wall?

One thing I did discover - is that it is actually really difficult to work in adverse conditions, especially when shooting with unfamiliar kit (I should have stuck to my lesser D-200.)  As a result of trying to rush and get the pictures before things got very unpleasant for my fantastic athletic volunteers, I didn't do a good job at all...  So, Barry and Caroline...  Can we meet up again, please?

p.s. Thank you to Lyn Caswell for holding the umbrella and driving me around.

p.p.s. If you have never been to Lymington: Go!  Maybe you could even take a walk, or a run along the sea wall?

Back in Hampshire - but just for a little while!

Following my within-the-speed-limit 'mad dash' back up the M4 today, I finally was able to photograph one of my young athletes - so thank you to Caroline and her dad, John for the shoot!  (Not only did it stop raining - the sun actually came out!)

When making pictures in public places, there is always a bit of waiting to be done...  I think a couple of boys were running around the track at this point.  Or were we waiting for cars to clear the top road?

Although there is very little to report (I've been working on my university project for a couple of weeks) I am very excited to say that The Daily Basingstoke and Farnham Knights have all helped in my search for a weightlifter: I MAY JUST HAVE FOUND ONE!  Thank you, chaps.

This weekend, I am hoping to photograph a cyclist, triathlete and wheelchair basketball player at least.  Please keep fingers (and toes) crossed for me.  And if you know anyone who rides a horse for fun...  Well, I am still looking.

April Showers Cause Photographic Havoc!

This week, I have mostly been looking at the BBC Weather site and trying to work out if the window of opportunity between showers would be big enough to allow a portrait session...  Amazingly enough, even though I have made three attempts to photograph a particular pair of athletes (thank you to their dad for ferrying them back and forth - I do appreciate it!) I still didn't manage to get the shoot...  I am sure that it will be great when we manage it...

Luckily, I did get down to Havant to photograph Larry and his rather impressive rifle and the Hamble (after getting lost) to photograph Emily and her canoeist's paddle.  Thanks also to Emily's mum for coming to find me and leading me to the right place.  One thing that this project is confirming: I am geographically challenged.

Larry's .22 rifle

Weather permitting, tomorrow I should have made portraits of a cyclist and a hockey player.  Hurrah!  Although, I am still no closer to finding someone who fences, sails, or rides...

Where are the sailors, equestrians and fencers? And - have a look at a shot!

Not wishing to insult anyone at all...  But I am starting to wonder if some areas of sport are still elitist.  What I can't quite work out is why none of my emails to riding, sailing or fencing clubs/organisations have been answered.  Is there a special 'spam' warning for mails from documentary photography students?

The exception to this elitism question is obviously my lovely modern pentathlete.  She rides and fences.

Come on you people who wear jodhpurs, life-jackets and facial protection...  I only need one athlete from each discipline - you shouldn't be too hard to find, should you?

On a more positive note - I have finally found the time to look at the shots from last week.  I thought I would post one here, so you can see the sort of thing I am up to.

Hannah - Modern Pentathlon

Sprinters and Synchro

I am very happy to report that yesterday's portrait sessions went very well.  It was a real delight to meet three young athletes who are stars in their age groups and could well go on to be Olympians of the future.  So, thank you to Modern Pentathlete, Hannah and sprinters, Myles and Owen.

I was also delighted to get an email from the coach of The Portsmouth Victoria Synchronised Swimming Club - I can't wait to come down and photograph some of your members!

On the subject of sychronised swimming, if anyone didn't see this week's Saturday telegraph, you missed a treat of a story about the British syncro team - and the cover photograph by Ivor Prickett really is amazing.  You can check it out for yourself here:  CLICK FOR PIC!

The next series of portraits are lined up for next week...  Exciting!

p.s. Ivor Prickett just happens to be a graduate of Newport...  But that's not why I am featuring him: honest!

First shoot - tomorrow

Well, I am very excited...  Tomorrow, I have my first three portrait sessions.  I shall be making pictures of a modern pentathlete and two young sprinters (including the 2011, U15 British number 1 at 200m and 60m and the U13 British number 3 at 200m).  Talent indeed.  Isn't it fabulous - these guys all live in Hampshire!

I have also arranged a session to photograph a canoeist - sorry for getting the terminology wrong - (I referred to her oar, instead of her paddle!)  This is going to be a lovely shoot as my subject is taking GCSE photography at school: we are going to have lots to talk about!

And, thank you to the North Hampshire Road Club who have also just agreed to take part in the project.  So, if you are interested in finding out more about cycling in Hampshire, you can find their website at:  http://www.nhrc.co.uk/Welcome.html

Interest is growing - but still need to find wrestlers!

STOP PRESS!

I may just be about to arrange to photograph a Paralympian who won gold at Beijing...  Watch this space for details (I'm just waiting for his permission to post a link to his profile!)

I'm also delighted to report that I've got two young athletes from BMHC ready and raring to be photographed.  So, that's 4 athletes under the age of 16 at the moment.  What I need now is a few from the other end of the age scale...  If anyone knows any sportsmen or women over the age of 70 who are still training, playing for fun or even competing: please get in touch!

I am also still waiting to hear back from representatives of baseball, boxing, canoe/kayak, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, gymnastics, hockey, judo, sailing, swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, table tennis, triathlon, beach volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling...  

The fabulous updated list of participating clubs and societies:

- Havant Rifle and Pistol Club - http://www.havant-rpc.org.uk/

- Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club - http://www.bmhac.co.uk/

- Phoenix Badminton Club - http://www.phoenixbadminton.hampshire.org.uk/

- Hampshire Hornets Wheelchair Basketball Club - http://www.hampshirehornets.co.uk/

- BTC Rowing Club - http://www.btcrowingclub.co.uk/

- Southampton University Rifle Club - http://www.soton-rifle.org.uk/

- Basingstoke Volleyball Club - http://www.basingstokevc.org.uk/bvc/

- Overton and Basingstoke Taekwondo - http://www.obtkd.org.uk/

- Basingstoke Bluefins Water Polo - http://www.bluefinspolo.co.uk/

- Totally Tennis Basingstoke - http://www.totallytennis.co.uk/

- Old Basing Archers - http://www.oldbasingarchers.co.uk/

- Modern Pentathlon Southern Region - http://www.srmpa.co.uk/

- Solent Softball League - http://solentsoftballleague.webs.com/

- Wessex Basketball Association - http://www.wessexbasketball.co.uk/

The list grows

Thank you to Basingstoke and Bluefins and to Phoenix Basketball for letting me gate-crash their practice sessions this week.  I was really glad to get to chat with some of you and hope to photograph you soon!

And I'd like to give a very special 'shout out' to Hampshire Hornets who are off to Sheffield this weekend for the national finals of the Junior 8 Feet competition!  Have a great time.

And now, a little update - Members from the following clubs and organisations have now 'signed up' to be part of the project:

- Hampshire Hornets Wheelchair Basketball Club - http://www.hampshirehornets.co.uk/
- BTC Rowing Club - http://www.btcrowingclub.co.uk/
- Southampton University Rifle Club - http://www.soton-rifle.org.uk/
- Basingstoke Volleyball Club - http://www.basingstokevc.org.uk/bvc/

- Overton and Basingstoke Taekwondo - http://www.obtkd.org.uk/

- Basingstoke Bluefins Water Polo - http://www.bluefinspolo.co.uk/

- Totally Tennis Basingstoke - http://www.totallytennis.co.uk/

- Old Basing Archers - http://www.oldbasingarchers.co.uk/

- Modern Pentathlon Southern Region - http://www.srmpa.co.uk/

- Solent Softball League - http://solentsoftballleague.webs.com/

- Wessex Basketball Association - http://www.wessexbasketball.co.uk/

HURRAH!

How exciting!

So, the hunt for athletes to participate in the project has finally taken off.  I've been 'penning' emails and pinging them off to clubs and organisations all around Hampshire and am pleased to report that the following folk are definitely interested in getting involved in 'A Sporting Chance':

- Overton and Basingstoke Taekwondo - http://www.obtkd.org.uk/
- Basingstoke Bluefins Water Polo - http://www.bluefinspolo.co.uk/
- Totally Tennis Basingstoke - http://www.totallytennis.co.uk/
- Old Basing Archers - http://www.oldbasingarchers.co.uk/
- Modern Pentathlon Southern Region - http://www.srmpa.co.uk/
- Solent Softball League - http://solentsoftballleague.webs.com/
- Wessex Basketball Association - http://www.wessexbasketball.co.uk/

A big thank you everyone who has responded positively so far: I can't wait to start making some pictures!

p.s.  Good luck to all the members of Overton and Basingstoke Taekwondo who are competing this weekend!

A Sporting Chance 2012

Between 14th July and 11th of August, 2012, The Willis Museum in Basingstoke will be the venue for the photographic exhibition, 'A Sporting Chance'.  The exhibition will featuring portraits of Hampshire based amateur sports men, women and young people, and is my first solo show.


To find out more, or to have your portrait made for the show, please contact me at the following email address:  denise.sportingchance@gmail.com


I shall be making the portraits at locations in and around the Basingstoke area during April and May.


The exhibition is being part-funded by a grant from University of Wales, Newport where I am currently in the 2nd year of a Documentary Photography degree.  I am incredibly grateful for their financial help and am also very appreciative of the support of Jenny from The Willis Museum who has given me the opportunity to show my work.


Although I am yet to start 'shooting' for the project, I am planning on photographing my subjects in their ordinary clothes - rather than their sports gear - but either wearing, or holding kit that is relevant to their chosen discipline.  (For example, I might have a photograph of a nurse in uniform, holding a discus!)


Below, I am posting a few images.  The first is by Brian Griffin, he was commissioned to make work to celebrate the Olympics, and although I don't really like the 'rigidity' and artificiality of the poses, I love the fact that he shows us another side of these former athletes.  The other portraits are mine.  I thought that you might like to see some of my own work.

Portrait of Denise Lewis and Jonathan Edwards, by Brian Griffin

From the series, 'Red'

'This is Strength', from a series made in the immigration camps on Malta