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Documentary Photography Workshops

LIDF Documentary Photography Workshops
in association with Magnum Photos
3 – 7 May 2010

© Donovan Wylie/Magnum Photos G.B. Northern Ireland. Deconstruction of the Maze prison. 2009.

The London International Documentary Festival is expanding and this year, will include documentary photography in its programme for the first time. To celebrate this new direction 20 photographers will be given the opportunity to take part in one of two 5-day intensive Documentary Photography workshops lead by internationally acclaimed Magnum photographers Donovan Wylie and Olivia Arthur.

Donvan’s workshop will concentrate on documenting urban spaces and their populations, and successful candidates will work under his expert guidance to build a new body of London-focused work. Olivia’s women-only workshop will give ten female photographers the chance to develop their individual visual language and really boost their portfolio in this heavily male dominated industry.

The LIDF Documentary Photography Workshops are organised by London International Documentary Festival in collaboration with Magnum Photos.

The Workshop
Aimed at professionals or advanced amateurs with a good understanding of photographic practices, the event will lead two intimate groups of 10 individuals through an intensive 5-day program of daily reviews, group critiques, mentoring and editing sessions.  Participants will work together with their peers and their selected photographer to develop their own individual visual language, photographic identity and practical, technical and conceptual skills required to compete in the ever-changing marketplace. The classroom sessions at the beginning and end of each day, will focus on the practice of editing and group critiques. Together these activities form the backbone of the learning process and are integral to the workshop experience.

Both workshops will be based in teaching rooms at UCL’s central London campus, with good transport links enabling participants to travel easily around the city. Teaching assistants will be available in the mornings to assist the instructors and the support the participants in solving any technical or logistical issues that may arise.  The assistants know the local area well, and will be able to help develop story ideas as well as give advice on transport, locations and other practical problems.

The workshops will take place from 9.30am – 6pm each day, with flexibility according to each photographer’s specific project and needs. Workshop participants will all be encouraged to engage with the festival as a whole, and attend as many of the diverse range of events on the LIDF 2010 programme as possible. The workshop will culminate in a projection of the participants work during the festival’s closing party at British Museum on Saturday, May 8th.

© Olivia Arthur/Magnum Photos. TURKEY. Istanbul. Getting ready for a wedding party. 2006.

Applying and Preparing
Photographers will be selected on the basis of applications submitted online, which will include a portfolio of 6 images.  Portfolios should reflect the photographic interests and style of the applicant, and ideally include a project shot over an extended period of time edited in the form of a photo essay.  Candidates should be comfortable with their equipment as they will be expected to arrive at the workshop ready to photograph.

Participants will be asked arrive with at least one project idea to develop during the workshop. So that everyone can make the most of the intensive sessions, we strongly recommend that each photographer conduct preliminary research before the workshop begins, and be aware that they will be responsible for their own project coordination. The preparatory research should include contact liaison, access information and, if appropriate, some preliminary shooting. All projects must be conducted within London and be feasible to complete within the workshop dates.

Due to the fast pace of the workshop, we recommend that participants produce and edit their work digitally, using their own laptops. Individuals wishing to use film may do so, but at their own cost and within time frame imposed by the workshop format.

Please note that any workshops with less than 8 participants will be cancelled.  Students who are accepted on a cancelled workshop will be given a either a full refund or a place with another photographer.  In the event of a cancellation, students will be given at least 2 weeks advance notice.

Tuition
£550 plus VAT (does not include travel, accommodations or on the ground expenses)

Travel & Accommodation
Participants are expected to make their own arrangements regarding travel and accommodation; a list of suitable hotels can be provided upon request.

Applications
To apply for Donovan Wylie’s workshop, click here.
To apply for Olivia Arthur’s workshop (women-only) click here.

Applications will be open until Sunday 4th April at 6.00pm GMT. (EXTENDED: to Monday 5th April)
Successful applicants will be informed via email by Monday 12th April 2010.  Full payment should be received by Friday 23rd April to confirm your participation. Payment can be made by cheque or cards, details will be given to successful applicants upon notification of their place.

For queries please contact Grace Pattison: [email protected]

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