So, let's start from the beginning. I found out about the course from the Polish Library in Barnsley. One day, I came to the library and saw a leaflet about the course on the table, which was also in Polish. I checked the dates of the meetings on the leaflet and most of them fit in with my daily schedule. I thought, why not give it a try? I wanted to break out of my routine, meet new people, and this course happened to be at a time that suited me. On the first day, I arrived by bike, my head full of doubts, curiosity, and perhaps fear, because I didn't really know what to expect.
On the first day, thoughts raced through my head: “What am I doing here? I'm the only Polish person. Me, with my poor English.”
I started thinking of a good excuse to leave the meeting as soon as possible, but despite everything, I stayed. I don't remember all the details of the entire course, but I will never forget the first day. We are all sitting at the table. Each participant says their name and that they want to become a photographer or have previous experience with photography, and I, being myself, decided to tell the truth, because why not: “I'm bored, I have too much free time, I want to get out of my routine, I don't want to be a photographer,” and that made everyone laugh—I just said what I honestly thought.
During the first and second meetings, I hardly said anything, and I didn't understand everything the instructor said, but I understood the general context. During subsequent meetings, I gradually began to open up and answer the instructor's questions, despite my poor English. Thanks to the friendly atmosphere and positive attitude of the other participants and the instructor, I began to get more involved in the meetings. Over time, I looked forward to the next meetings and fully engaged in the homework assignments from the instructor. During the course, I tried to show myself through my photos; what I feel, a side of my personality that I don't show very often, my little hobbies. I am very happy with the course and thank you for the opportunity to participate in it, because it allowed me to show a small part of myself, my point of view of the world, without fear of judgment and criticism, and for a person like me, who is quite introverted, it means a lot.
Finally, I would like to add that for the first time in my life, or at least for a very long time, I felt that someone wanted to listen to me through my photos, which is reflected in the exhibition of our photos that is still ongoing at the local gallery (come and see us all!). I am 100% sure of that. For the first time in my life, someone wanted to listen to me, to me as an artistic soul who is still searching for her means of expression. When I saw my photos in the gallery, in a place where many people can see them, I felt such incredible pride in myself, which I hadn't felt in a very long time. Some may think it's just a regular course, one of many, offering practically no specific skills or qualifications. I would be happy to respond: “That's nonsense!”
If there is even one person on such a course who is like me, quite introverted, misunderstood by others, too “twisted and difficult” for others to understand, perhaps too serious, and you give them a chance to speak through photos and listen to them, then it is worth organizing such courses, even if only for that one person who will shine, even if only for a brief moment. I think that I am not the only one who feels this way and that there are other people who feel the same as me because the world is twisted and somehow you have to live. It is important to collect such good moments and warm your heart with them in difficult times.
I would be delighted to take part in the course again. Thank you, Mohamed, Shy, and the other participants for this time.
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
.avif)
