Over the last few months here at Document Scotland we have been pretty busy, however, we always make time to see new work. Here we take a look at some of the work by graduates from Edinburgh Napier University 2014 which was on show earlier this year in their degree show and also at Free Range in London.

Here is a taster of some of their work which caught our eye… do take a look at their individual websites for further images.

Glasgow Mods by Lisa Boyd

“This project is about the Mod subculture in Glasgow, focusing on original and long time members. I have always been interested in people and their uniqueness. My father was an old mod and seeing the mod subculture re-emerging was my main inspiration to do this project.  Several recent photographic projects have focused on the younger mod generation. I was interested in telling the story of the originals for whom being a mod has always been a part of their life. I started researching the subculture and going to a few mod events and club nights. These portraits were taken outside the ‘Tailor Made’ (previously ‘Friday Street’) club night round at the smoking area. I really enjoyed the time I spent doing these portraits. Speaking with the mods I heard some great stories and learned a lot about the subculture. After finishing this portrait project I am still photographing the mods. I am focusing on the different aspects of the subculture, in the end I hope to have a comprehensive body of work documenting the subculture from all perspectives.”

Lisa Boyd www.lisaboydphotography.com

Lolitas by Louise Anne Kennedy

“A Lolita could be best described as an individual who follows the Japanese subculture of wearing western inspired Victorian and Rocco style Japanese fashion. The history of the movement began in Japan during the 1970’s, with fashion companies such as Pink House, Milk and Pretty. Although Lolita is fairly unknown, this fashion subculture has become a growing trend among young women in Scotland. Lolita has dominated Japan for many years it has only been in the last decade that it has spread to many other countries in the world.

I am passionate about people and culture; I love to learn about new cultures and peoples stories. The inspiration for the project came from a long love of Japan and Japanese culture, I have an unexplored fascination with Japan and I created this project in order to find Japan and aspects of its culture in my home country.
The difficulty in finding such a secretive subculture is in gaining the access required in which to meet, learn about and photograph the girls who wear Lolita. My love of Japan and Japanese culture gave me a connection with the girls and slowly they allowed me into their world. Most Lolita’s enjoy being photographed; they like to show off their immaculately co-ordinated outfits.”

Louise Kennedy www.louiseannekennedyphotography.com

Gorgie Road – The Maroon West by James Parker

“Situated between Edinburgh’s city prison and the financial sector, resides Gorgie. The densely inhabited area has one of the highest populations per square mile within the country. Historically it contained the largest pig farm in Scotland, with local residents claiming that the creation of the digestive biscuit hails from the area.

This project views the social network of people and place along the main western artery into Edinburgh city life and the chance encounters along the route.

Since completing the project and graduating from Napier, I currently work as a summer school photography teacher at Queens College, Cambridge. I intend to use images from the project towards my submission for several MA courses. However, for the time being I am based back in South Yorkshire and will begin work on several fresh longer-term projects, collaborations and commissioned work soon.”

The entire project with 30 images is available in a newspaper format here.

Limited Edition –  £20
One Project
One C-Print of choice from the series
Protective cardboard sleeve.

James Parker www.jameschrisparker.com