NMMU second and third year photography students from the Department of Applied Design were assigned to photograph the bands performing at the third annual Richmond Hill Music festival on the weekend of the 23rd of June. This was a collaborative project with the Alliance Française, the main organisers of the event. The exhibition is a selection of the best forty works produced by the students.
The students photographed the performers before the event and also worked with them during their live performances. Their aim was to highlight the vast array of musical talent and genres in our city whilst also promoting the music festival and Richmond Hill by capturing the events ambiance.
Photography student, Ross Charnock, said: “The Richmond Hill Music Festival was a prefect combination of two of my passions: music and photography. The selection of talented musicians performing was amazing and it was a privilege to be able to photograph versatile French jazz musician, Gaston Braka, and his Big Time Band live. I look forward to next year’s event”.
Many of the performers are students in the NMMU music programme. A lot of emerging musicians now have images they can go forward with in their own publicity and marketing and some have formed working partnerships with the young photographers who gained valuable real-world experience by working on a large and exciting live event.
The Richmond Hill Street Music Festival photography exhibition takes place at the Alliance Française, 17 Mackay Street, Richmond Hill form 11 to 21 September from 8:30 to 17:30.
The Stuart Reece Band. Image by Ross Charnock
