Student Stories: Jonathan Lamb
- OCA Student Association
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
"I'm retired, currently a Photography Student at the OCA living in the Ashdown Forest in the UK with my family."
Read about Jonathan's learning journey below.
What is your previous educational experiences and what drew you to OCA?
I became interested in photography while working as a teacher in Kenya. Retirement has given me more time to spend with my camera. I have degrees in mathematics and finance but this is my first arts degree.
Can you describe your OCA journey?
While studying for Level 3 my camera broke and took a long time to get fixed. I used the period to learn 3D printing and to 3D print my own view camera, which inspired me to represent the landscape where I was working in a new way, incorporating 3D printing into my creative process.
Can you describe the tutor/ peer support at the OCA?
My Level 3 Tutor David Wyatt has been an excellent reference point for my topic, since David's own doctorate work also looked at a protected landscape area in the UK. He has encouraged me to be both rigorous and creative in my written and practical work.
What does studying with OCA mean to you?
The piece of paper means I finished, but it has been much more about the learning journey.
What's Next?
It sounds odd but having come to the end of a photography degree, I actually want to do more photography. Level 3 involves a lot of writing and preparing for exhibition, and I am going to take the opportunity to enjoy wandering with my camera without an agenda for a while. I hope what I have learnt will be incorporated into my photographs and future projects. I am also going to continue the external engagement I started on Level 3.3, volunteering at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve running educational workshops for children.
Any advice?
Becoming part of a peer network can really help.
Where can we find you?
It was a genuine pleasure both to see your major project develop Jonathan and, as a peer in this last phase of the journey, to be be able to gain the benefits from watching you work and develop at close quarters as both a photographer and writer - all the very best for the future!
Best regards,
Allan