We love working with students for work experience placements, sharing our knowledge (and learning a thing or two from them too.)
We were joined last week by Joel Hitchins-Samson, who is studying in his second year of his Photography BA at Falmouth University. Joel got to grips with all of our production areas, learning everything from mounting and framing large-scale pieces in our finishing areas through to retouching, file management and how to produce professional photographic prints in our printing department. We caught up with him after his week here to find out what he really thought of us…
Tell us about your week here at Genesis…
During my week at Genesis I have really enjoyed working in near enough every production area of the company – from printing, through to mounting and framing. I’ve even had an opportunity to get to grips with retouching – learning to use the pen rather than the track pad, which I’ve been used to editing with. It’s been a really valuable experience.
What has been your personal highlight?
The highlight has been learning to properly frame a print; it’s really rewarding to see a final piece come together to exhibition standard. It’s also been really great seeing my images (from the series ‘The Digital’) in print and it was great to physically take something away from the experience – thanks Genesis!
What have you enjoyed least?
Labeling poster tubes.
How would you describe Genesis in three words?
I would definitely say friendly’, professional’ and inspiring’.
What do you enjoy most about your course at university?
Having the freedom to photograph whatever I want. I’ve learnt a lot and the freedom has really allowed me to develop my practice. My work varies between portrait and landscape projects. Recently, I’ve been working on staged portraits.
And what do you enjoy least?
The period running up to a deadline and the stress that comes with it.
What would you say is the most valuable lesson that you’ve learnt at university?
The most important opinion is your own. You have to create work to please yourself first, before anyone else.
And what do you hope to do once you leave university?
I aspire to be a freelance photographer, preferably working for magazines.