Pupils at a prestigious Scottish boarding school have teamed up with an award-winning photographer to create a series of whimsical and imaginative miniature worlds, featuring tiny figures interacting with everyday objects, including cans of the iconic Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru.
Mastering the Art of the Miniature
David Gilliver, who won the Macro prize at the 2022 British Photography Awards, led a special two-day workshop for students aged 14 to 18 at Gordonstoun school in Moray. The project focused on the intricate art of macro photography, using extreme close-ups to bring miniature dioramas to life.
The young creatives used very small figurines and props to construct their scenes. In one playful image, a can of Scotland's 'other national drink' is transformed into a basketball court, with the ring pull serving as a hoop. Another clever shot sees the fizzy drink become a river for intrepid canoeists.
Fresh Ideas and Creative Freedom
Gilliver was impressed by the originality the students brought to the project. He noted that the most challenging aspect of this style is avoiding clichés, but the Gordonstoun pupils delivered a wealth of new concepts.
"The students got into the creative zone right from the off," Gilliver said. "I've seen so many fresh ideas today it shows you just how creative these students are. You really have to embrace a childlike way of thinking to progress with this style of photography."
He explained that his own work often blends serious themes like climate change with surreal imagination, a balance the students also explored.
Light, Backdrops and Lasting Inspiration
The workshop's first day was dedicated to experimenting with light painting and long exposure techniques in the school's drama studio. This foundational work helped the students understand how to manipulate their environment for the final dioramas.
Fifteen-year-old student Hector Munro said he enjoyed the creativity of building the scenes and learned "loads about lighting and using the backdrop properly to enhance the images."
Another pupil, 16-year-old Florence Wareing, highlighted a key technical lesson: "I learned how not overcrowding the image really gives a better effect overall." She added that working with Gilliver was "really inspiring" and has motivated her to explore macro photography in her own projects.
The internationally renowned Gordonstoun school, attended by King Charles III and his father, the late Prince Philip, was founded in 1934 by German educator Dr Kurt Hahn. Hahn, who was Jewish, fled Nazi persecution and established the school with a focus on character-building and self-reliance beyond traditional classroom study.
