For my final project I wanted to highlight the beauty of growing older in
years. There is beauty all around us, some forms of beauty are more obvious
than others, and a beauty that shines from within and reflects wisdom and
knowledge. A few lines and wrinkles on our faces and worn out bodies reflect
life and often life experiences.
I have been photographing the older generation for the past few months, I
enjoy their company. We, too frequently, fail to recognise the importance
of our older generation whilst we indulge ourselves with our own daily lives.
There is much to learn from the older generation if only we would take the
time to discover more about their lives and experiences. After all, in this the
year of the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, we need to
remember the older generation sacrificed so much for us to have our liberty
over the last century.
You should never take things for granted. If I manage to get one message
across through my work this is the message I want you all to remember.
Please
remember our older generation, we can all learn so much from them they
have more life experience then many of us and they can teach us a lot.
My aim with this book is to show other people that we all have a lot to learn
from our older relatives and just spending a few hours with someone every
week can really make there day and help to cheer them up, whilst enriching
our own lives.
I have many people to thank in creating this book. Firstly I would like to
thank my Mum, Sharon McEwing and my Dad, David McEwing you two
have been my rocks these past few years and you have both supported me
in everything I have wanted to achieve. Thank You Uncle Chris for putting
up with me for the last 3 years like Mum and Dad you have been fabulous in
supporting me and it is much appreciated. I would also like to Thank all the
wonderful people I have met. Charlie Pooley, Vera Helson, Ann Devine, Sally
O’Leary, Sylvia Tall, Shirley Robbens, Florence Rivers, Colin Rivers, Margaret
Shaw, Sheila Grimson, Jessie Bailey, Joan Campbell, Melina Doreen Camble,
Ada Saunders, Ray Shaw, Esme White, Joy Terry, Pauline Watkins, Peter
Heywood, Christine Williams, Sue Crooks,Gordon Lee, Blanche Axe, Winnie
Norris, Sylvia Melton,P. McEwen, Gwen Fisher, Doreen Gess, William Weeks,
Rafi Brasher, Linda Brasher, Dorothy Foxall, Betty Bennett, Juan Jesus Alvarez
Arue and my grandad William John Veal.
With Thanks to Age UK, Age UK Plymouth have supported me and
helped me to find over 65’s of all different ages and I thoroughly enjoyed
photographing at the Plymstock and Mount Gould Centre’s.
