Home to a collection of artworks and photography by David Billingsley
The Faces of Swansea 2018: Documentary
Although I’m currently working part time in the hospitality industry, I’m also looking to start a career in the creative sector, making full use of my degree in animation and my creative talents.
To help me in this quest, Swansea Council marketing officer Andy Pearson offered me the opportunity to gain some experience of working on a live creative project.
The mission was to create a portfolio of photographs that captured the spirit of Swansea, the local authority and its staff. In subsequent months the images may be used on council marketing materials.
A key element of the collection would be images of council officers hard at work on behalf of people across the city. We wanted to illustrate, with only a small number of images, how industrious and professional council staff must be, how - in a wide variety of ways - they care for their community and how diverse the council’s work is. We’d call this suite of staff photos Faces of Swansea Council 2018.
Andy arranged two days with Swansea freelance photographer Raul Rucarean. On those days, I documented the process in photographic form and helped as Andy continually explained what types of image he needed to Raul who expertly took the main photos. It was amazing to see how professionally Andy took control, directing everybody involved. Raul had strong people skills, something easy to overlook when considering how photographers work.
The whole experience gave me an insight into the passion the authorities’ employees have for the local community. Whether a teacher or even a bin man, everyone showed personality and dedication to their specific roles. Their openness allowed Andy, Raul and I to greatly enjoy the journey.
Here’s my diary of how the two-day photography process went. I hope it gives you an insight into how an imaginative project of this nature is pulled together, how much I benefited from it – and how council staff help local residents in so many ways!
Swansea Council
Raul's Photography Website
"The Faces of Swansea and The Local Authority" Photography portfolio can be found on The Swansea Councils main website linked below...
Raul, The Proffesional Photographer who accompanied our journeys main website is linked down below, hosting a variety of photographs...
Day Two
9am – Penlan: The Kerbside Collector
It’s winter and it’s frosty so we’re wrapped in scarves, fleeces, hats, heavy coats and gloves, well prepared for the day ahead.
It’ll be interesting to see how council staff spend much of each day combatting the elements to deliver a valuable service.
Nicky Harris is a kerbside collector – or “bin man” as many residents will refer to him. We meet him and two colleagues in Heol Hermas, Penlan. They arrive in one truck but, at our request, a colleague brings a new truck so Raul’s pictures can reflect the new-look council logo.
Nicky moves swiftly down the street, emptying dozens of food bins and pink recycling sacks into the back of the truck. He places the bins and bags back where he found them before moving on to the next house. It looks like physical, dirty, smelly work to me, something which an animator like myself finds hard to comprehend, working as I do within the confines of a warm comfortable office.
My photo shows Nicky on the left, holding a food waste whilst being photographed by Raul.
10am – Penlan: The Social Worker
At Penlan Social Club, we meet with Helen Philpott, a social worker who deals expertly with challenges faced by children and families. She’s at the club with a large number of colleagues for a team briefing. Raul already knows Helen and is full of praise for her. Small world, hey?
Whilst discussing how we’d capture the perfect shot, Andy decides that the best backdrop for the job would be nearby housing. This will represent the locations where she carries out her daily work – for photography purposes it’s a more appropriate environment than the club, however smart that establishment is! To add colour and context, we ask Helen to hold flash cards and children’s books. She chooses cards that, she feels, best show how she likes to leave young people feeling - “safe”, “proud”, “brave”.
I can only imagine how much of a kind-hearted and professional person Helen must be, helping those she meets. She’s a brilliant example of the caring natures exhibited – in my experience – and will be an inspirational figure for the people of Swansea.
My image shows Helen and Andy discussing her work whilst Raul takes some photographs.
11am – Gowerton: The Teacher
We park outside Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr and sign in at a very welcoming reception desk. Framed photos and other items in the foyer reveal a rich culture and history of the school.
Our subject, Gareth Williams, guides us to a classroom which has a projector board and Welsh vocabulary displayed on the walls. Andy wants an even stronger Welsh feel to this image so Gareth leads us to another classroom with red dragon flags, more Welsh vocab … and what looks like a farm gate! But this isn’t just any gate, it’s a life-size piece of scenery from one of the school’s theatrical interpretations of the Rebecca Riots. Now that’s what I call a piece of national history!
Gareth’s engaging manner, enthusiasm for the job and sense of humour makes me smile from ear to ear. To me, he seems like a credit to his profession.
My image shows Gareth, right, next to the Rebecca Riots theatre prop - and Raul taking photos.
Noon – Hafod: The School Refurbishment and Remodelling Team
We find ourselves on a building site next to Pentrehafod School - and we’re asked by the site manager to put on protective clothing, including hard hats and hi-viz bibs.
The council’s team here – overseeing the project to modernise the comprehensive’s buildings – are Peter Alfei, Nigel Hawkins, Sarah Rees and Sarah Weir. We follow them into the skeleton of a new building and Raul politely asks the site manager if he can remove his hat as the peak is getting in the way of his camera body; he’s told – equally politely and very firmly – that the hat stays on for safety purposes. Raul wisely takes the advice! It shows that the construction company cares about its visitors and associates and that safety is paramount.
It’s fascinating to see how this major build is taking place so close to a fully functioning school with its hundreds of teenage students. The pupils and teachers are allowed the opportunity to see what’s going on next door via planned trips – and the council team is pleased at how the school is working alongside the construction team.
My picture shows Raul focusing in on the council team.
2pm – Gorseinon: The Community Care Assistants
We drove to Gorseinon Hospital where our main aim will be to photograph hard-working care assistants Lisa Richards and James Sargeant. We decide to move off the hospital grounds and into a neighbouring residential street – this will give us a stronger sense of where Lisa and James work on a day-to-day basis.
They love their work which helps members of our local communities build confidence enabling them to live independently. I soon come to understand that they’re a brave pair too – it’s a cold day but they agree to be pictured in their regulation lightweight smocks.
Whilst Raul takes pictures of Lisa and James I pop around the street corner to consider different angles and lighting opportunities afforded by the dropping winter sun. By the time I return, our subjects are beginning to shiver with the cold. They’re pleased when Raul says, “job done” and they can put their coats back on.
My image shows Raul taking a photograph of Lisa and James infant of Gorseinon Hospital.
3pm – Civic Centre: The Contact Centre Team Leader
Hywel Lewis and his colleagues in the council’s contact centre are the first faces seen by many members of the public when they visit the Civic Centre.
They ensure that visitors receive the best possible service – and today they have a new service to offer.
Self-service payment points have just been installed in the foyer; they look like cashpoints in a bank and can be used to pay council tax, business rates, housing rents, council invoices and many more items.
Hywel wants visitors to be comfortable using the payment points so he’s hard at work explaining to people how they work.
For Raul, Hywel is happy to pose beside the machines.
My image zooms in on one of the payment point screens.
Day 1 Ends
