GET TO KNOW OFF THE RADAR
ABOUT US
Off the Radar is a group which was formed students from De Montfort University for their Tech 1002 Social Media and Technology module. They will be holding meetings to explore derelict and abandoned places in and out of Leicester but also attending different events such as Ghost Hunt The Nurses Home Towers Leicester Asylum and many more.
"Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints". Urban photography, is more than just street photography, it is everything that is urban; city, subjects, objects and all that is in between. Urban photography is also critical rather than consumable and should have deeper meaning than just something that is funny or foreign. Author of Explore Everything; Place Hacking the City, Bradley L. Garrett made a valid statement whilst having and interview with Stephen Moss for the [1] The Guardian for who's to blame for the ever growing culture or urban exploration “Exploring the city gives you a chance to understand it in a different way,” Garrett told Stephen Moss. “You are able to see the abandoned buildings, the infrastructural systems, the construction sites, all the things that comprise the city. There’s an addictive quality to it, because once you start going into these spaces and understanding the city in a different way, it’s very hard to fall back into normal rhythms.”. Cliff Davidson wrote a blog entry on TUPF describing what urban photography was about, he closed it off with a sentence that leaves an impact "The power of the visual is there so why not use it.".
WHO FORMED THE GROUP?
The urban photography group called Off the Radar was formed by three pupils on the Media Production BSc at De Montfort University, Leicester. All of them have experience with cinematography but they also like exploring and documenting the urban cities they live in. Below is some information about the four members who formed the group.
GVIDAS LIPINAS
Gvidas Lipinas came up with the idea of using his hobby of urban photography and exploration for the Tech 1002 Social Media and Technology module. He's had experience with cinematography for the last three years but only has been actively participating in urban photography for the last two years and a half years. He first came into contact with urban photography half way through his course as he was doing street photography but wanted to stand out more when presenting his work to the class and decided to turn to the internet for some inspirations and came across a man known as UrbanX as his identity is hidden for obvious reasons. UrbanX is one of the leading urban photographer with many achievements which other only could wish for. His work inspired Gvidas to pursue urban and derelict photography as its different and thrill seeking. UrbanX has published great deal of work on his website an its left an impact on the scene within the UK and beyond and is respected. When speaking to him he told Gvidas that despite the word 'photography' appearing in his website's url, UrbanX insists that he is : "an explorer, who just happens to take photographs"
ADAM MARSHALL
Adam Marshall's first foray into photography and cinematography came about when he was seventeen. Undertaking Film Studies at AS Level at the time, Adam became increasingly intrigued and eager to learn about the more technical side of Film itself. Alongside this Adam was also undertaking a Photography course at the time though quickly fell out sorts with the more artistic school of thought that applied there. At Access to Music, Adam was able to both utilise his existing skill-set and develop it via a number of video production projects and self-undertaken photography projects using film SLR photography. Today he feels largely confident in shooting candid, documentary-style, photography whilst continuing to seek to develop his cinematographic skill-set further to achieve increasingly more artistic, refined, shots. As far as Urban Exploration goes Adam is a novice, though the idea of being able to shoot and edit on a regular basis with such interesting subject material is one that is bound to keep him entertained regardless.
ELIZABETH GILL
Elizabeth Gill is also a member of the Tech1002 Social Media group, Off The Radar. Photography has been a main hobby of her’s for at least four years now. On studying photography at A level, the exam paper ‘Derelict and Decay’ meant after much research for her journal work, she came across UrbanX’s work and was truly inspired. From here, Elizabeth has wanted to get more into urban exploration and joined the group as a beginner to learn more from her peers.
ELLIS HORSMAN
Ellis James Horsman has a unique taste when it comes to Photography, favouring simple but meaningful work rather than judging an image on the complexity of it. That being said, Photography is one of Ellis' hobbies that he is extremely passionate about, so much so that he studied it for two years at A level. The use of Decay and Urban Structures in his work saw Ellis excel during his time studying Photography and he feels in a new area with new people he can further his skills and love for the art.