time keepers
Timekeepers invited students to explore how our perception of hours, days, and years has been unsettled in recent years. By treating “time as currency,” the project asks them to confront rising “time anxiety”—that nagging feeling we’re not squeezing enough meaning from the minutes we’re given—and to look at the creative strategies today’s “time keepers” use to reclaim flexibility and purpose.
Against this backdrop, students were challenged to conceive and produce a single, exhibition‑ready photograph that encapsulates their personal relationship with time. From early research and concept sketches to behind‑the‑scenes experiments and final edits, they were expected to weave a coherent visual narrative that demonstrates both technical craft and artistic growth—ultimately presenting a body of work that tells a compelling, time‑infused story.
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Time as Personal Currency: Recognising how the events like the pandemic reframed our sense of time, sparking “time anxiety” and prompting reflection on whether we’re spending our hours meaningfully.
Photography as Memory‑Keeper: Understanding the camera’s power to freeze moments, preserve stories, and visualise abstract feelings about the passage of time.
Creative Process Matters: Seeing value not just in the final image but in the research, experimentation, and reflection that shape an artwork’s narrative.
Art’s Societal Role: Appreciating how contemporary photographers use visual storytelling to comment on cultural shifts and encourage audiences to rethink their own relationship with time.
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Concept Development: Translating a personal idea about time into a clear, compelling photographic concept.
Technical Photography Techniques: Mastering camera settings, composition, and lighting to capture a professional, exhibition‑ready image.
Image Editing & Refinement: Using editing software to enhance mood, correct colour and exposure, and polish the final photograph.
Process Documentation: Compiling a process book that records research, behind‑the‑scenes work, and iterative critiques, demonstrating reflective practice.
Exhibition Presentation: Preparing a cohesive body of work, along with contextual writing, suitable for gallery display or portfolio inclusion.
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Rob Bowman (Artist & Photographer): Rob is an artist working with the photographic medium. He is also a Senior Technician at Northumbria University.
Issy Everton (Fine Art Student): Issy is an artist who works with photography, video and textiles. Fashion has heavily influenced her artistic practice and she now creates larger-than-life garments which disform and disfigure the human form and create absurdly outrageous looks that she then photographs.
Lorna Mackay (Freelance Photographer): Lorna is a photographer interested in connections between people and the environments we inhabit, her work is driven by a desire to deeper understand human stories of place and the ways in which these are narrated through culture and history. Recognised by British Journal of Photography and Feature Shoot and supported by Arts Council England, she has exhibited internationally and was shortlisted for the National Trust's inaugural North East Emerging Artist Award in 2022.
“it’s a very good experience and really helped me to bond with my new friends. even though TICE can be hard at times, i believe if you try as hard as possible, it is very rewarding and completely worth it!”
— Student, Durham School
Student, Parkside Academy
“I now understand the process in developing a final image and research which will be useful in my GCSE photography.”
Student, Durham School
“I have changed as a person and broadened my horizons in terms of knowing what my future holds.”
outcomes
A Moment of Serenity
- Martha Manning, Parkside Academy
“My chosen photograph which I have named ‘A Moment of Serenity’ blossoms around the theme of magical realism. The image freezes the moment in time of tranquillity and a break from modern society which is often short lived. It holds onto the importance of reflecting on how far you have come, showing the importance of appreciating what isn’t always seen. The blurred effect on the subject represents the constant speed of which life moves in and learning to move with it.
By having the subject centred looking out towards a stream shows a clear contrast of humanity to nature showing how easy it is to forget what you're naturally a part of and learning to find comfort in it.”
washing away the past
- Krayvan Robinson, Parkside Academy
“My final piece titled, 'Washing Away the Past' showcases the motion of my face against the water, breaking the surface and resubmerging, the motion blur present around me to show me moving like in my sketch two (below). With pale lips and face, sharp eyes, my piece has this powdery, sky-blue tint with a minimal color palate. Simple but beautiful. I chose ‘Washing Away the Past’ as it’s almost linked with washing yourself, ridding yourself of the day and its events, it's like a new beginning. The photograph feels fresh and almost personal, this close-up self-portrait with eye contact, yet it almost has this sense of vulnerability, shown by the raw facial expression With inspiration of colour from the eartheater album 'Trinity'.”
- Daniel Garside, Durham School
“This is the final image after the editing process. The whole image is about decisions. I tried to use my own perspective on the angel and devil influencing you and that’s how I show the decision. It shows time because so many decisions are made every single day (usually unconsciously) but the chaos in the image shows all the chaos around the decision and how it can impact so much. For example, every single step or movement has the opportunity to shape time and it shows how all these simple decisions can shape time even though probably thousands are made every day.”
emotion frozen in time
- Peyton Reidy, Parkside Academy
“For my final piece, I chose the photo of my grandparent’s wedding photo, surrounded by the angel and flowers. I wanted to show how the world has moved through time and emotions, but the people in the picture remain frozen in their time. I also had some inspiration on a mood board that I will show [below].
I first made a new layer of the photo frame and then made that black and white, then by inverting the colour onto the actual photo, I could make it show in colour. Then I played around with the brightness and contrast to make it look more vibrant.”
timeless
- Eleanor Sedgewick-Black, Durham School
“For my chosen photo which I have entitled ‘Timeless’, it is a surrealist and minimalist look at the concept of time. I wanted the image to show that the concept of time is irrelevant, no matter what you do, time passes and we can’t stop it. Time doesn’t change but our perspective of it does. So, it doesn’t matter what the clock says as long as you're doing what you want to do, don’t base your life on what an object says, base it on what makes you smile.”
Credits
schools
Durham School
Parkside Academy
industry
Rob Bowman
Issy Everton
Lorna Mackay
Jennifer Barrett
Meg Savage
Jennine Wilson
Northumbria University
tice stars
Daniel Garside
Eleanor Sedgewick-Black
Krayvan Robinson
Peyton Reidy
Martha Manning