Magnum Workshop Brighton

20th – 24th October 2008
Brighton, UK

The Magnum Workshop Brighton UK is a five-day practical event intended for advanced photographers wishing to proceed with the next stage of their photographic careers. Led by three Magnum photographers Carl De Keyzer, Mark Power and Donovan Wylie, this workshop is an exciting opportunity to build a new body of work under the guidance of experienced practitioners.

The event is organised in collaboration with Brighton Photo Biennale and will be held at the Centre for Research and Development at The University Of Brighton.

The Masterclass

22 successful candidates will spend five days with all three photographers developing visual language, technical and conceptual skills and individual photographic identity. Through an intensive five days of progressive picture taking, candidates will produce an individual project under the same structure as professional assignments.

The workshop will be based at Centre for Research and Development at the University of Brighton, the location for daily reviews, group critiques, mentoring, editing sessions and opportunities to learn amongst peers.

The images produced over the week will constitute an individual body of work culminating in the production of unique, singular books designed by the participants. The process of editing and critiquing the work will be a principal part of the learning process and conducted on a daily basis. Participants will be expected to provide and receive constructive comments to and from their peers as well as obtain personal critiques from the lead photographers; this is considered an integral part of the Workshop.

Why Brighton?

The Magnum Workshop Brighton is run in conjunction with the Brighton Photo Biennale 2008. This year the festival is curated by the provocative writer and critic Julian Stallabrass under the title ‘Memory of Fire: The War of Images and Images of War’. A diverse program of exhibitions, talks, workshops and a strong online presence will explore photographic images of war, their making, use and circulation, and their currency in contemporary society. Magnum Photos, founded in 1947 by four humanitarian photographers Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, George Rodger and David Seymour, has a sixty year heritage documenting key historic events including many of the world’s most defining conflicts. This tradition of witnessing and recording social and political upheaval links closely with Biennale program of events. Planned exhibitions include ‘Agent Orange’ by Philip Jones Griffiths and Susan Meiselas’ acclaimed Nicaragua work. Magnum Photos is pleased to be supporting the Brighton Photo Biennale with their influential and timely program.

All participants of the workshop will be encouraged to immerse themselves in the scheduled exhibitions and events before, during and after the workshop to ensure maximum learning potential.

Brighton is renowned as a cultural hub and there is no shortage of suitable photographic subject matter. The town, awash with artists and creative individuals and is often referred to as ‘London-by the Sea’. It has a rich seaside history and is synonymous with Victorian Britain. The Palace Pier, built in 1899, continues to flourish as a tourist attraction whilst the older West Pier, victim of 3 fires and a history of disrepair, closed in 1975. Brighton also lays claim to the oldest electric railway in England and one of the most exotic buildings in the British Isles, the Royal Pavilion. Its pebble beaches stretch from Shoreham to Rottingham and its die-hard community of sea swimmers is a sight to behold, especially in winter.

Brighton is also famous for its bohemian atmosphere and open-minded attitude and subsequently is the home of a huge gay community and interestingly, a nudist beach. This hedonistic lifestyle has earned Brighton the title of the ‘drugs death capital’ with the highest drugs related death toll in the whole of set uncomfortably amidst the burgeoning tourist industry Britain.

Homelessness too, is a serious problem for Brighton. Rising property prices, low incomes and an influx of people moving to the popular seaside resort has seen an increase in housing applications. In 2003, 851 homelessness submissions were granted out of a total of 2,943. It is estimated that on average more than eight households present themselves as homeless every day.* (* information from Brighton & Hove council)

Requirements:

The workshop is aimed at advanced photographers, both amateur and professional, who will be selected on the strength of portfolios submitted online to the lead photographers. These portfolios should consist of 10 images and reflect the individual photographic interests and style of the applicant. Portfolios should include projects shot over a significant period of time and ideally be edited in the form of photographic essays. A high level of photographic aptitude will be the essential criteria for participation and candidates should arrive comfortable with their equipment and ready to shoot.

Selected participants should ideally arrive with at least one project idea that they wish to develop during the workshop. We highly recommend that prior research is conducted before the workshop begins. This should ideally include ground research, contact liaison and access information; you may have even begun your project already. This prior research will ensure that once the workshop begins your time can be dedicated to taking pictures rather than gaining access or speaking with contacts. These project ideas will be discussed at the beginning of the week and all projects must be conducted within Brighton and the surrounding area. The three lead photographers share an interest in history and how the sense of the past alters one’s perception of a place. You may consider this when thinking about your own project.

Due to the pace of the week, participants are required to produce and edit their work digitally. We highly recommend bringing laptops for convenience as this equipment will not be readily available. For those wishing to shoot using film, you may do so but at your own cost and in the time imposed. There is a very good lab, Spectrum, situated in Hove.

Tuition:

£800 plus VAT (does not include travel, accommodations or on the ground expenses)

Accommodation:

Participants are expected to make their own arrangements regarding accommodation and a list of suitable hotels (some with Magnum discounts) will be provided to successful candidates. We recommend participants stay in the local area of Brighton, Kemp Town or Hove.

Applications: Fill out the form on the right to sign-up until Wednesday 17th September at 6.00pm GMT.

For queries please contact Fiona Rogers fionar@magnumphotos.co.uk
Successful applicants will be informed Tuesday 30th September.

Brighton Photo Biennial is an ambitious celebration of international photographic practice committed to stimulating critical debate on photography in all its forms.

Brighton Photo Biennial 2008, entitled, Memory of Fire: the War of Images and Images of War, is curated by Julian Stallabrss and explores photographic images of war, their making, use and circulation, and their currency in contemporary society. The exhibitions will include images produced by photojournalists, artists and non-professionals. Participate and have your say on the new BPB 2008 website

Free admission to all exhibitions.

To learn about upcoming Magnum events and workshops please take a moment to subscribe to the Magnum newsletter.