Master of Photography | Gillian Allard

In November 2016, I applied for the second season of Sky Arts Master of Photography. In late December I was interviewed by the producers and then told I was one of the 12 contestants chosen for the 2017 reality TV show based in Rome. The format of the show was a weekly set task, some located in other European countries, and then an elimination process after rigorous judging. I was voted the unanimous winner in March 2017. Here is a selection of some of the images I created for set tasks.

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Erotica - Task 4

In this task we were given a catalogue of models to choose from and a villa as a location. We were asked to communicate through three images what Erotica meant to us.

Erotica - Task 4

I used the word 'touch' as the pivot for my idea.

Erotica - Task 4

Because I feet it is the bridge between imagination and reality. I was thoroughly mocked by the visiting judge that week but won the task overall.

Paralympian - Task 5

I went to Hamburg, Germany and met the ward winning high-jumper, Reinhold Bötzel.

Paralympian - Task 5

He was very open about his disability and I found him really fun and easy to talk to. I love this photograph because for me it embodies these character traits.

Paralympian - Task 5

Reinholdt is very independent and during our meeting operated without support. I decided to use this image of dressing because it is a task able bodied people take for granted but he is fastidious about.

London Fashion Week - Task 6

In this task we spent a day wondering around the streets of central London, trying to capture the essence of fashion week against the backdrop of everyday life.

London Fashion Week - Task 6

Such striking people wandered up and down The Strand. I stopped this amazing woman and asked her to pose for me. I utilised the incredible shallow DoF on the Leica 50mm lens.

London Fashion Week - Task 6

Ode to Martin Parr : ) who was the judge that week. I'm not one for imitating people but I thought I would try his style of juxtaposition. I won that week but pretty sure its not this image that did it for me or him : )

Home Sweet Home - Task 7

I came back to Suffolk for this task and was allowed to spend time with my boys. We made this image in the back garden using a smashed mirror in an attempt to discuss the changes we had gone through together.

Home Sweet Home - Task 7

Once given the task, I practiced this shot in my hotel before I left Italy. It is a single exposure made by covering half the lens and moving my head left then right to discuss feeling that at times I was living two lives as a mother and a creative person.

Home Sweet Home - Task 7

And finally at Old Felixstowe beach looking out at the North sea I made another self portrait, through a shard of the broken glass I used to make the first shot, in the triptych.

Human landscape - The Final

The four finalists were sent to different countries to spend time with people from indigenous groups. I travelled to Macedonia and spent time with a Yoruk family - particularly with the mother Murguzel who worked tirelessly running their small holding. The entire indoor accommodation was in one room.