I captured feedback at the event by designing and printing postcards featuring a selection of my images. These offered space on the reverse for instant comment which could be left at the exhibition. They also carried a QR code that linked to a feedback form on my website, for visitors who preferred to keep the postcard and comment later.
There was just one negative comment at the event, regarding my choice of image printing and mounting. Due to being forced to work within the constraints of cost, and ability to easily hang the work, I am confident my decision was the right one. However, I will still take on board this comment, should I choose to hold further exhibitions.
'A coherent sense of immersion. Particularly interested in the abstract 'Scythe', 'Prevailing' and Suspended Deposition', as the spectator - viewer there is truly a sense of immersion the image & the subject. Amazing. X'
- Rachel Kitchen, Research Development Lecturer, UCA
'Impressive. Interesting. Intuitive. Loved spending time looking at the pictures. What was really impressive, was Jeff’s ability to describe the pictures and a very informal and approachable way I found the concept and the subject matter very interesting I feel that Jeff works in a very intuitive way, and I would very much like to see more of his work.'
- Deirdre Mulcahy, Content Creation Trainer and Lecturer, University of West London
'Loved this. Jeff’s job takes him to fascinating and beautiful places, and Jeff really notices - and thinks about- the minutiae what he sees. And he then succeeds in conveying his expansive, outward looking, open ended engagement with the world photographically. Doing this as well as he does is not easy as I know all too well in my own practice. Keep it up Jeff!'
- Dr Patten Smith, Director Research Methods, IPSOS MORI
'Beautiful exhibition by a beautiful human!'
- Leigh Mulley, Artist, leighmulley.com
'What a great exhibition today as part of your MA Photography. Such interesting perspectives and ways of photographing
the river Stour. Amazing also to understand that as part of your Environment Agency role you were out for part of the night preventing flooding in a day full of downpours. You should be super proud ! Such joy to see you and your amazing work.'
- Annemieke Hartman-Jemmett, Deputy Director, EA
'Brilliant!! I loved the sense of being 'immersed' in the photo locations and the experimental,
risk-taking approach to capturing the subject!'
- Sinead Le Blond, MA Student, Falmouth University
'I really liked 'Silence, the movement of the water is beautiful :) I think it's great to promote and share what you do which, like you said, the public often miss xx'
'Nice to learn about the effort that goes into the upkeep of rivers.'
I was interested to see what you’ve done with these; weirs, sluices, locks …
I’m holding onto my photo Finberry East Stour…
I travel in Kent N, S, E&W Please send me an invite if you exhibit again, Sassoon library, Hythe, New Romney…Where ever!
'This is my favourite [Release] because of the patterns which appear from nature.'
Amazing insight into the incredible work carried out on our behalf on such a beautiful local watercourse. Wonderful images and information about the story of their creation.
'Very interesting to see photos & understand how they interact with Jeff's work'
'Very good work. Lovely landscapes & scenes. Well done!! :)'
'Wonderful watery work - Great to see such natural scenes captured by an environmental expert - close up!'
'A fantastic exhibition offering fascinating stories behind every image, bringing out so many questions about our environment, highlighting the life and beauty of the river stour and presented with an obvious passion of photography. Leaving a film in the river, for 2 months, trying to capture the continuous flow of the river and especially its secrets was fabulous ! Thank you Jeff'
'An interesting thought provoking set of local images. A rare peek at some usually less accessible places. Great work, Jeff! (EA work and photography)'
'A very interesting exhibition of the state of our rivers and their need for constant attention. Congratulations!'
'What an eye-opener this exhibition was! It's thought provoking in many ways and thank you Jeff for showing us a different view that we would never see. Nu :)'
'Great reflections & splashes of colour in an almost black & white setting.' [Pushing through]'
'The photo of 'Restricted access' tells all who see it, that not every opportunity or path will be clear to everyone and definitely expresses Jeff's initial idea of his work and how he and others feel through life.'
'Great photographs and amazing work. Good luck with your final work.'
'Lovely awareness of texture and pattern. May your inspiration keep flowing!'
'Great exhibition - so interesting to see the river from a different perspective - Fabulous work!'
'The river is a powerful symbol for reflection both literally and metaphorically. The cleaning and maintenance of the river can be seen as self care The images convey different aspects of the river in interesting shots, that tell different parts of the journey.'
'Great to see that a combination of work + hobby have joined to give healing. The subject matter is also so important and brilliant to shine a light on it through this project. I'll make time to find out more.'
‘There was a tangible substance to this exhibition’
'I was captivated by the dynamism in these photographs, showing how the artist is immersed in the management
of the countryside. The stories behind the photos added an even greater depth to the exhibition, so that I, the viewer,
could also become Immersed.'
‘Thanks Jeff Hicks loved it. I’m still digesting my emotional reaction to “Expanse” - not sure what happened there’.
'Thanks so much for letting me see this this evening. Really really liked it. Thought provoking and Ioved your overall vision.'
'It was great, Jeff. Really enjoyed your personal insight into all your images. Great work.'
'It was magical. Your personal story resonated. X'
'Jeff has captured what we do on a daily basis in a creative and magical way. It has shone a light on areas that are not seen on a daily basis.'
'I thoroughly enjoyed Jeff's exhibition Immersed. I was fortunate to arrive before the crowds, and managed to get Jeff's insight into all his images, explaining his thought process behind each capture, the locations of the shots, and his reasoning for angles and exposures. His passion for this project really came through in the imagery, I was particularly taken with the fact he had captured shots from both above and below the river, one could really place oneself at the location, and experience what Jeff had experienced at the time. The underwater shots gave one a sense of silence and peace, especially 'Scythe', with the suspended particles in the water, the slight movement of the water weeds at the bottom of the image, and the reflections of sunlight dancing on the water's surface above. These images were in strong contrast to some surface images, which showed the power of the water rushing through a sluice gate, or down a bank towards the sea. Really superb work capturing the daily life of working with the river.'
'Wonderful display and interpretation of what you do daily! Hoping that there is more to come,'
There was just one negative comment at the event, regarding my choice of image printing and mounting. Due to being forced to work within the constraints of cost, and ability to easily hang the work, I am confident my decision was the right one. However, I will still take on board this comment, should I choose to hold further exhibitions.
'A coherent sense of immersion. Particularly interested in the abstract 'Scythe', 'Prevailing' and Suspended Deposition', as the spectator - viewer there is truly a sense of immersion the image & the subject. Amazing. X'
- Rachel Kitchen, Research Development Lecturer, UCA
'Impressive. Interesting. Intuitive. Loved spending time looking at the pictures. What was really impressive, was Jeff’s ability to describe the pictures and a very informal and approachable way I found the concept and the subject matter very interesting I feel that Jeff works in a very intuitive way, and I would very much like to see more of his work.'
- Deirdre Mulcahy, Content Creation Trainer and Lecturer, University of West London
'Loved this. Jeff’s job takes him to fascinating and beautiful places, and Jeff really notices - and thinks about- the minutiae what he sees. And he then succeeds in conveying his expansive, outward looking, open ended engagement with the world photographically. Doing this as well as he does is not easy as I know all too well in my own practice. Keep it up Jeff!'
- Dr Patten Smith, Director Research Methods, IPSOS MORI
'Beautiful exhibition by a beautiful human!'
- Leigh Mulley, Artist, leighmulley.com
'What a great exhibition today as part of your MA Photography. Such interesting perspectives and ways of photographing
the river Stour. Amazing also to understand that as part of your Environment Agency role you were out for part of the night preventing flooding in a day full of downpours. You should be super proud ! Such joy to see you and your amazing work.'
- Annemieke Hartman-Jemmett, Deputy Director, EA
'Brilliant!! I loved the sense of being 'immersed' in the photo locations and the experimental,
risk-taking approach to capturing the subject!'
- Sinead Le Blond, MA Student, Falmouth University
'I really liked 'Silence, the movement of the water is beautiful :) I think it's great to promote and share what you do which, like you said, the public often miss xx'
'Nice to learn about the effort that goes into the upkeep of rivers.'
I was interested to see what you’ve done with these; weirs, sluices, locks …
I’m holding onto my photo Finberry East Stour…
I travel in Kent N, S, E&W Please send me an invite if you exhibit again, Sassoon library, Hythe, New Romney…Where ever!
'This is my favourite [Release] because of the patterns which appear from nature.'
Amazing insight into the incredible work carried out on our behalf on such a beautiful local watercourse. Wonderful images and information about the story of their creation.
'Very interesting to see photos & understand how they interact with Jeff's work'
'Very good work. Lovely landscapes & scenes. Well done!! :)'
'Wonderful watery work - Great to see such natural scenes captured by an environmental expert - close up!'
'A fantastic exhibition offering fascinating stories behind every image, bringing out so many questions about our environment, highlighting the life and beauty of the river stour and presented with an obvious passion of photography. Leaving a film in the river, for 2 months, trying to capture the continuous flow of the river and especially its secrets was fabulous ! Thank you Jeff'
'An interesting thought provoking set of local images. A rare peek at some usually less accessible places. Great work, Jeff! (EA work and photography)'
'A very interesting exhibition of the state of our rivers and their need for constant attention. Congratulations!'
'What an eye-opener this exhibition was! It's thought provoking in many ways and thank you Jeff for showing us a different view that we would never see. Nu :)'
'Great reflections & splashes of colour in an almost black & white setting.' [Pushing through]'
'The photo of 'Restricted access' tells all who see it, that not every opportunity or path will be clear to everyone and definitely expresses Jeff's initial idea of his work and how he and others feel through life.'
'Great photographs and amazing work. Good luck with your final work.'
'Lovely awareness of texture and pattern. May your inspiration keep flowing!'
'Great exhibition - so interesting to see the river from a different perspective - Fabulous work!'
'The river is a powerful symbol for reflection both literally and metaphorically. The cleaning and maintenance of the river can be seen as self care The images convey different aspects of the river in interesting shots, that tell different parts of the journey.'
'Great to see that a combination of work + hobby have joined to give healing. The subject matter is also so important and brilliant to shine a light on it through this project. I'll make time to find out more.'
‘There was a tangible substance to this exhibition’
'I was captivated by the dynamism in these photographs, showing how the artist is immersed in the management
of the countryside. The stories behind the photos added an even greater depth to the exhibition, so that I, the viewer,
could also become Immersed.'
‘Thanks Jeff Hicks loved it. I’m still digesting my emotional reaction to “Expanse” - not sure what happened there’.
'Thanks so much for letting me see this this evening. Really really liked it. Thought provoking and Ioved your overall vision.'
'It was great, Jeff. Really enjoyed your personal insight into all your images. Great work.'
'It was magical. Your personal story resonated. X'
'Jeff has captured what we do on a daily basis in a creative and magical way. It has shone a light on areas that are not seen on a daily basis.'
'I thoroughly enjoyed Jeff's exhibition Immersed. I was fortunate to arrive before the crowds, and managed to get Jeff's insight into all his images, explaining his thought process behind each capture, the locations of the shots, and his reasoning for angles and exposures. His passion for this project really came through in the imagery, I was particularly taken with the fact he had captured shots from both above and below the river, one could really place oneself at the location, and experience what Jeff had experienced at the time. The underwater shots gave one a sense of silence and peace, especially 'Scythe', with the suspended particles in the water, the slight movement of the water weeds at the bottom of the image, and the reflections of sunlight dancing on the water's surface above. These images were in strong contrast to some surface images, which showed the power of the water rushing through a sluice gate, or down a bank towards the sea. Really superb work capturing the daily life of working with the river.'
'Wonderful display and interpretation of what you do daily! Hoping that there is more to come,'