You see an actor, you see a rhinoceros. You prefer the rhinoceros of course.
– Philippe Gaulier
DESCRIPTION
This workshop will focus on editing and sequencing to explore the narrative and poetic potential of photography and the photobook. Across a series of presentations, exercises, field trips, and critiques, students will navigate comedy and tragedy, ambiguity and clarity, chance and skill, text and image, lunch and more.
Gus Powell will draw from his past experience as a photo editor at The New Yorker magazine, his ongoing editorial and commercial photography practice, his position on the MFA faculty at the School of Visual Arts, and from the experience of creating four monographs of personal work. The workshop will foster an environment where students can sharpen their skills, clarify their intentions, and move their ideas forward, using their own work and in response to the work of the group.
SCHEDULE subject to change
April 24, 2020 5:30 PM Initial presentation by Gus Powell, including a walk through the exhibition of his work currently on view at Leica SF. Evening will conclude with an introduction to Assignment No. 1: “I Remember.”
Saturday, April 26, 2020 10:00 AM Presentations of students' responses to Assignment No. 1 will be followed by an initial group critique of students' existing work. The day will continue with editing exercises and a possible shooting exercise. Day will conclude with an introduction to Assignment No. 2: “Cover Album.”
Sunday, April 26, 2020 10:00 AM Presentations of students' responses to Assignment No. 2 will be followed by a a series of editing exercises that use both existing and archival material that will be completed under time constraints established on a 1972 GraLab darkroom timer. Day will conclude with students working together to create new books with the possibility of review by special SF Guests.
TOPICS COVERED
Authorship & storytelling.
Finding inspiration in unexpected histories and heroes.
Discovering & articulating the connective tissue (the theme) that already exists in your work.The comedy & tragedy of the human experience.
“Sketching.”
Making something out of nothing.
Using language to elevate rather than explain.
Embracing chance.
Getting into trouble. Getting out of trouble and getting on with it.
LOCATION & DETAILS
Leica Store & Gallery SF, 463 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA, 94108
Limited to 12 students - Visit LEICA SF
To Register or for more details contact Alex Ramos alex@leicastoresf.com (415) 801-5066
This workshop is simultaneous with the exhibition Family Car Trouble by Gus Powell. Opening & Book Signing - Thursday April 23, 2020
Who should attend this program?
This workshop is intended for the intermediate or experienced photographer that is interested in moving towards the creation of a cohesive body of work. It is expected that participants are already comfortable with proper exposure and general camera use. There will be opportunities for specific technical questions that pertain to working with Leica equipment & strategies to improve a street photography practice.
TESTIMONIALS
"I liked a lot about this workshop, but the process of sequencing others' images was most successful in my opinion. It was an interesting challenge and offered thoughtful perspectives on my own images. Most of all, it was exciting to take a measure of creative ownership of a sequence, isolated from ownership of the images themselves. I was struck by how good that felt.”
- Zach, Washington, DC
“The workshop is fun, hands-on, and the perfect vehicle to take your photography to the next level. Both the advice provided at the beginning and the feedback received at the end were spot on.“
- Sofia, Washington, DC
“A great opportunity to learn about how to take complete authorship of your photographs.”
- Dan, San Francisco, CA
“An insightful workshop that forces you to ask questions about what you are trying to say through photography. The most helpful part for myself was the hand’s on working experience on the streets. Being able to work alongside Gus while having instant feedback through reviewing the images on the back of the camera allowed me to adjust on the spot and helped to push me into a new direction as we continued photographing.”
- Charles, New York, NY
“The editing feedback and in-depth critique and discussion of my weekend’s photos was invaluable.”
- Rob, Denver, CO
“Gus is an amazing teacher. Walking around the city with him was really valuable. He gave us many new ways to see our own work.”
- Mark, New York, NY
“I came away with a very strong sense of what I need to do better, both in technique and in thinking about my work. For me, that was the most valuable aspect of the whole experience.”
- Bill, New Haven, CT
“It was the first workshop I have attended and I was a little concerned that it might not be that helpful to me progressing as a photographer. However, my experience was just the opposite. I found the workshop to be very helpful in demonstrating the value of editing and sequencing my work as an essential part of the process of creating more personal and unique images. Rather than repeating the easy, instant gratification photos that are so popular and generate many “Likes” on social media – Gus emphasized moving beyond the easy images to make pictures that are more nuanced, open to interpretation, and vision of the photographer as author.”
- Tim, Boston, MA