Magnum Workshop East London

14th - 20th June 2008
East London, UK

The Magnum Workshop East London is a seven day event organised for advanced photographers wishing to take the next logical step in their career. Led by Magnum photographers Chris Steele-Perkins and Simon Wheatley, this workshop is an exciting opportunity to build a body of work focusing on the topical regeneration of East London. The event is organised in collaboration with Calumet.

The Masterclass

Successful candidates will spend the week with both photographers developing visual language, technical and conceptual skills and individual photographic identity. Through an intensive week of progressive photographic shooting, the participants will produce an individual project under the same structure as professional assignments; shooting alone as well as under the guidance of the Magnum photographers.

The participants will also benefit from using Wheatley’s East London studio, which will be the base for daily reviews, group critiques, mentoring, editing sessions and for printing their images for a final exhibition. A midweek lecture by US based Magnum Photographer, Eli Reed, will provide inspiration and give the participants the opportunity to meet industry professionals at the Magnum Print Room, London.

The images produced over the week will constitute an individual body of work and also be integrated into a group project, subject to feedback from all members of the Workshop. The process of editing and criticising the work produced will be a principal part of the learning process and conducted on a daily basis by the Magnum photographers and all participants. The week will culminate in the production of a digitally printed group exhibition at the Calumet Gallery in Euston. Friends and families of the participants will be invited to the Private View, along with Magnum photographers, staff and industry contacts.

Why East London?

Historically East London has always had a symbiotic relationship with the arts. In the mid 1980’s an extension of London’s financial district led many artists to seek alternative, cheaper accommodation elsewhere, and in the early 1990’s East London became a base for the renowned Young British Artists. The opening of the White Cube gallery in 2000 strengthened the East’s reputation as the cultural hub of London, and today the area remains a focus for artistic endeavours and many galleries still thrive despite rising property prices.

The forthcoming 2012 Olympic Games has given huge impetus to the regeneration of East London. Stratford, a once neglected district, will be the location for the Olympic Stadium and the focal point of the games. But huge challenges remain in an area that is still seriously deprived, housing significant immigrant communities from Bangladesh, Somalia, Eastern Europe and many other countries, as well as a traditional white working class that has often found it difficult to deal with the new realities. The workshop - entitled 'The New East End' - hopes to address, in imaginative ways, some of the complexities arising from the rapid and profound transformation that this part of London has been and is currently undergoing.

Requirements:

The workshop is aimed at advanced photographers, both amateur and professional, who will be selected on the strength of portfolios submitted online to Steele-Perkins and Wheatley. These portfolios should consist of no more that 12 images and reflect the visual photographic identity of the individual. Portfolios should include projects shot over a significant period of time and ideally be edited to reflect 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 photographic participants should have at least one, ideally two project ideas that they wish to develop during the Workshop. These concepts will be discussed at the beginning of the week and no restrictions are imposed on ideas, other than they must be conducted from the East London area. Due to the pace of the week, participants are required to produce and edit their work digitally. Limited equipment will be provided and we recommend bringing laptops for convenience. For those wishing to shoot using film, you may do so but at your own cost and on the required deadlines.

Tuition:

£750 plus VAT (does not include travel, accommodations or on the ground expenses)

Accomodation:

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 Bethnal Green, Bow, Hackney and Stratford.

Applications: Submissions are now closed. To learn about future events and workshops please sign up for the Magnum Newsletter.

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With 11 shops, dedicated call centre, fully integrated website, rental facilities and leasing programmes to suit your budget, Calumet offers an unrivalled service to both the serious amateur and professional photographer.

Visit the Calumet website to learn more.