Pupils work on ‘A Place in History’

Pupils at Hampshire Collegiate School (HCS) have been working on an exciting project commissioned by the Florence Nightingale Museum in London.

Sixth form pupils spent two days working with nationally acclaimed photographer Simon Warner. 
Simon is working with two schools, HCS, based at Embley Park and Anthony Gall School in Derbyshire, producing photographs of the two houses and estates that were home to the Nightingale family and important in Florence Nightingale's life.

Results from the twin projects entitled ‘A Place in History’ will form an exhibit in a temporary display space in the refurbished Florence Nightingale Museum from spring 2010, the centenary year of Florence Nightingale’s death.

Simon explained the technique he used: “In a spirit of historical enquiry, we are creating photographs in a large camera tent that yields images 4ft x 3ft in size. This camera imposes unusual demands that (to an extent) replicate the logistic problems experienced by Roger Fenton, pioneer war photographer, who photographed the Crimean War from his 'Photographic Van' in 1855 at the same time Florence Nightingale was running her hospital at Scutari. These two figures never met, but are both heroic Victorian figures who triumphed over adversity in the same international conflict.”

Photograph: Pupils from HCS photographing the school house and grounds at Embley Park, Romsey with photographer Simon Warner.

Further information about Simon Warner can be found on his website: http://www.simonwarner.co.uk