Bizarre day

As I completed Assignment 3 - A Photographic Commission, my tutor advised me to think about Assignment 5 whilst we were still in the summer period as there was more chance of completing the photographic side of the assignment 'Covering an Event'.  I checked out the late summer timetable using the two main websites http://www.lymeregis.org/whats_on/events/ and www.whatsoninlyme.co.uk.  I was looking for an event which would take place on one day rather than a week long festival or like the ArtsFest which lingered over 10 days.

The town discovered that whilst there was a record in other countries for the largest number of people playing guitars together there wasn't one in the UK.  It was agreed that the best place for an attempt on the world record would be the town beach as this had the most space.  The organisers contacted the Guinness World Record people and a date was set for Saturday, September 7th at 5.00 pm.  This specific timing meant that the tide would be at its lowest point for several months and would give more room on a limited space beach.

This all sounded like a doable event for me and I sat down to think through what I would need to prepare and how to go about getting organised for it.  The town organisers had set up a website. http://www.guitarsonthebeach.co.uk/ and the music they chose to play was Rave on by Buddy Holly as it only needed players to learn 3 chords.

The family who live next door to me (the Fords) are very musical and I asked them if they would be taking part in the record attempt?  I was informed that both the husband and son would take part so I asked if I could follow them in their preparations and they agreed.

Silence for 3-4 weeks as they were away on holiday part of the time.  I approached Glen at the end of last week (31st August), very aware that as a primary school teacher he would be up to his neck in preparation for the new school term which started this week, to see when it would be possible to take some pictures of his preparation soon.  I asked about his son, Miles, and learnt that, in fact, Miles was unlikely to take part.  Glen did mention that friends of his, who had never played a guitar before, were very keen to take part in the record attempt, and they had asked him to teach them the chords and music before Saturday, the 7th.  Would I like to include them?

I had to leave it with Glen to get in touch as to when I could take some photos and I began to worry that it wasn't going to happen.  I started to think about alternative people I could approach as many people in the town are keen to take part and are frantically learning the 3 guitar cords.

My fears were unfounded as I received a message that I would be welcome to take pictures of the 3 adults on Tuesday evening and the photo session would take place in one of the oldest buildings in Lyme, a real feast to the eyes.  When I went to confirm the time that evening, Glen also agreed for me to take some pictures of him practicing in his garden that afternoon.  This was about 3.00 pm and I would have preferred to take them at least an hour later as the sun would be less strong and warmer, but he had plans for later so it was now or never.

Whilst it was a challenge to get balanced lighting in the shots, I think I managed some good images.

Glen practising in his garden

Glen, showing Danny how to finger the correct chords

All in all, a very satisfactory afternoon and evening.