{"id":615906,"date":"2025-12-06T12:27:42","date_gmt":"2025-12-06T12:27:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/615906\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T12:27:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T12:27:42","slug":"photo-essay-kitchen-table-photo-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/615906\/","title":{"rendered":"Photo essay: Kitchen Table Photo Club"},"content":{"rendered":"

Children with analogue cameras explored the waterways of east Bristol over the summer. Here\u2019s what they captured <\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Kitchen Table Photo Club grew from the heart of home, around a fire and kitchen table in Easton, in 2018. It\u2019s now a thrice weekly club where local children muck about with old cameras, eat crumpets and learn to think like artists. Some children return as young adults and help out.<\/p>\n

In the summer of 2025, we held a raffle and street sale to fund trips along east Bristol\u2019s urban waterways. With a basket of props, some black and white film and a few prompts, we explored streams and brooks. Each trip we played hard, made images and ate snacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

We took photos around Easton, Clay Bottom, Coombe Brook, Nightingale Valley and Snuff Mills. We asked ourselves: are these streams our waters? What waters our ancestors came from?\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

This is the most beautiful water my hand has ever touched<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

When answers were unknown, we observed the waters closely\u2014counting plastics, noting insects, worms, and coins. We imagined how it would be if the waterways had feelings, thoughts and needs. We mimicked the stance of the cormorants, and told stories inspired by the streams. We birthed rivers and married trees.<\/p>\n

Keep your fingers off the lens. Find out where this river flows from. Is this the same waters the dinosaurs drank? Why is it red? Tattoo a river on your hands and arms.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Our stories became delightfully abstract and improvised. You can see elements of these tales in the photos. We look thoughtful and wild \u2013 having serious fun can be like that.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the most beautiful water my hand has ever touched,\u201d one child called out.<\/p>\n

Though the waterways were often unhealthy\u2014a reminder of how little we respect these sources of life\u2014the trips were elevating. Even when bemoaning the river\u2019s sadness, one child exclaimed, \u201cBut look at all the life around it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Kitchen Table Photo Club<\/a> began in 2018 and has since worked in St Pauls Adventure Playground, Lockleaze and the Dings. Children use analogue cameras \u2014 include 1\/2 frame, 35mm, medium and large formats \u2014 generously donated by supporters. <\/p>\n

While they explore technical skills like exposing, focusing and framing, these are often secondary to deep play, storytelling and learning to think like artists. Beyond the kitchen table, the club has produced films, books, and even a deck of Bewilderment Cards. <\/p>\n

Independent. Investigative. Indispensable.<\/p>\n

Investigative journalism strengthens democracy \u2013 it\u2019s a necessity, not a luxury.<\/p>\n

The Cable is Bristol\u2019s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members<\/b>, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what\u2019s happening in Bristol.<\/p>\n

We are on a mission to become sustainable, and to do that we need more members. <\/b>Will you help us get there?<\/b><\/p>\n


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