| Description | Interview with Graham Diprose, alumnus and lecturer at London College of Communications.
The interview can be accessed in QuickTime Movie and Waveform Audio formats.
Interview description:
Audio 1 [00:00] Graham Diprose; student at London College of Printing 1989(69?)-1972; started part-time teaching in 1972 between photography and design department; became full time in design department, worked there until 2011; authored text book in photography; currently co-chair of EVA London. [01:37] Interest and background in photography; grandfather bought him a Nikon camera; photographing school events and selling pictures; studying for A levels and application to Higher National Diploma courses. [04:43] Discussion of photography courses in London at the time. [05:22] Impressions of London College of Printing, modern new buildings; photography and film schools being at top of tower block; learning printing techniques, not appreciating this. [07:00] LCP one of the biggest rock venues at the time. [08:23] Women on the photography course, gender expectations in the sector; descriptions of lecturers and work. [12:37] Headhunted into job before leaving college; working assistant job and completing third year of course at the same time; final exhibition was disappointing, but passed; photography industry in London at the time; assured a job after graduating; discussion of how HND worked. [15:41] Courses becoming more academic, setting up separate commercial photography courses. [18:20] Collaborating with students on other courses; lasting friendships and connections with peers; social aspects of attending LCP; being on college academic board, disagreements. [21:53] Elephant and Castle at time of studying, buildings and local area; photography projects with local community or shots at local sites; relations between students and locals. [25:06] Plans to merge with London Southbank; relationships with other colleges that now make up UAL; getting an assistant job. [28:28] Teaching at other institutions; visiting lecturers at LCP; wanting to give something back to the college. [31:30] Teaching first course at LCP and getting into lecturing. [37:44] Resistance to print union regulations and unionisation, SOGAT; LCP involvement in the Wapping dispute, training staff and receiving new equipment and sponsorship. [42.20] Became full-time lecturer in 1982 with ability to carry on working commercially; attending teacher training, did not achieve a teaching certificate. [46:26] Work with the Samaritans, student-teacher confidentiality; networking with other colleges in the London Institute; degree awarding powers. [50:29] Growing student numbers; difficulties for graduates, payment and fees; participation in higher education, support for apprenticeships etc. [58:13] Involvement in ‘London’s Changing Riverscape’ project; archiving and preserving photography, digital and physical. [01:06:04] Involvement in textbook and working with young photographers. [01:08:24] |