Year 13 Photography students are currently working on their exam preparation based on the theme of Origins.
A trip to the Natural History and the Victoria and Albert Museums in South Kensington, London was arranged to help inspire the students and enable them to gather important research for their developing personal projects.
The students are all currently working on a range of personal ideas focusing on natural forms, plants, taxidermy, paranormal activity, witchcraft, mythology etc. At the Natural History Museum, the students headed off in their own directions to seek out objects of interest to photograph for their work. Some were focussed in the sections based on fishes, amphibians, reptiles and deep sea creatures; looking for the weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit our planet.
Others were drawn to the Victorian taxidermy rooms full of stuffed exotic birds from all continents across the world.
Not only were there rooms devoted to specimens of all types but also intricate drawings and illustrations of various animals and plant life.
There was even a chance to travel through a hammerhead shark's nostril through a 3d scan in virtual reality.
In the Darwin Centre, there was an opportunity to see rare and wonderful specimens suspended in fluid in glass containers.
After a brief lunch, we headed on to the Victoria and Albert Museum where the students wanted to view the sculpture cast rooms and incredible Renaissance statues such as David, by Michelangelo and the superb Trajan's Column. The students were interested in the origins of culture and religions.
Finally, we saw the Photography Rooms and had a chance to see examples of more traditional approaches to photography alongside some very contemporary and innovative examples of what photography can be.