World Photography Day: Celebrating Blue Sparks
- Blog
This World Photography Day, we are shining a light on one of the projects supported through our Blue Sparks programme: a 15 week creative media project, delivered by Fotonow CIC, which supported young people to develop photography and film skills while exploring their connection with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
World Photography Day is marked annually on 19 August and celebrates photography as a way to capture, share and see the world from different perspectives. It is a fitting moment to look back at how Fotonow CIC worked with young people to explore their connection with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park through photography, film and visual storytelling.
A creative journey around the Marine Park
Over 15 weeks, Fotonow CIC supported young people to take part in a creative media project centred on a simple but powerful idea: celebrating everything blue.
The project gave participants the opportunity to develop skills in photography, film and creative storytelling while spending time in Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. Photo walks to the Hoe encouraged the group to look closely at the coastline and capture what stood out to them. A guided visit to the National Marine Aquarium offered another perspective on the waters, wildlife and blue spaces that make Plymouth so special.
As the project developed, the young people shaped their own final projects. They decided what they wanted to explore and selected the creative formats that felt right for their stories. Some focused on photography, others made films, and several combined the two.
From camera to cinema screen
In preparation for the final event, the group worked with Anna Navas from Plymouth Arts Cinema to learn how films are selected and programmed. They considered what they wanted audiences to take away from the screening and discussed the films that had inspired them to care for blue spaces.
After reviewing a long list of suggestions, the group narrowed their choices to Finding Nemo, Ocean with David Attenborough and The SpongeBob Movie. They ultimately chose Ocean with David Attenborough for the screening.
The group also invited the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, and were pleased to welcome the Deputy Lord Mayor to Plymouth Arts Cinema. One attendee described the event as “a masterpiece” and “a good opportunity to meet new people”.
Creativity that connects us
This Fotonow CIC project is one example of how Blue Sparks funding is helping organisations create meaningful opportunities for young people to connect with Plymouth Sound National Marine Park.
By giving young people space to explore, create and share their perspectives, the project helped bring new stories of the Marine Park to life. Their work is a reminder that the Marine Park belongs to all of us, and that creativity can help us understand, celebrate and care for our blue spaces.
Thank you to Plymouth Arts Cinema and the National Marine Aquarium for welcoming the group, to Fotonow CIC and the volunteers who supported the sessions, and to Albie, Alfie, Annabelle, Grace, Libya, Luke and Oscar for sharing their Blue Sparks journey.
Become a Blue Spark
Have you got an idea to connect people to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, and just need some funding to kick off your project? Visit our Blue Spark page to find out more!
The Plymouth Sound National Marine Park Horizons project has been made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players with £11.6 million of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.