Work with the raw materials of Creative Photography 

Discovery involves looking at the same thing as everyone else and seeing something different and creative, like any artistic pursuit, is about decision making.  Selecting from a myriad of choices as photographers, means carefully considering all the possibilities of our imagination at any given location.  To develop imaginative thinking we need the right locations and an approach that allows creative impulses to develop.  Much is made of what creative photography is, but in essence it’s finding solutions to situations that make images jump off the page or screen.

SKILLS ACQUIRED AT THE END OF THE WEEK

*  Learn how to photographically personalise a place.

*  Learn how to frame or ‘arrange’ a location for visually arresting images.

*  Understand the difference between how you see and how the camera sees.

*  Build a portfolio that explores a specific and unique visual language.

*  Critically evaluate your own images.

*  Understand the different forms of photography and how you can apply them.

*  Learn how to use light as an expressive and aesthetic element.

*  Learn how a group of images can create a narrative.

This creative photography experience is an intense week.  There will be the option for a mid-course break but the end goal is for you to be creatively awakened during your time on location.  As such participants will be expected to have some basic knowledge of camera controls and settings before attending.  We have an online course component if you require that.  We can also offer live chat sessions with your camera if you have any other questions ahead of your week.  Otherwise, you should be comfortable with common terms and how to control exposure, shutter speed and DOF to a basic level.  During the week, you’ll spend your time looking at images, and also individually and with others on location, exploring and photographing the medina which is a short walking distance from your Riad base.

The medina offers a visual feast where you can quickly get up to speed in finding subjects to photograph.  Set within a small and easily navigated medina town, the essential ingredients are the play of highlights and shadow, striking colour combinations, architectural lines and juxtaposition.  Both a rooftop terrace and a junkyard can provide inspiration.  Essaouira is small, intimate, and full of quiet street potential.  Its seaside location includes crashing waves on rocks and a working port with old wooden boats. Used as a location for many films and TV series, Essaouira is the home of Morocco’s top abstract painters.

PART ONE – INANIMATE – JUXTAPOSITION, BALANCE, PLAYFULNESS

Day One  – Arrival day (Saturday).  Settle into your Riad.

Day Two

9:30am – 12:30pm

Introductions.

Darren will introduce some of his work and explain the plan for the week.

A slideshow presentation about the range of what Essaouira offers.

11.00am – 3:30pm

The first of two guided walking tours on either side of a group alfresco lunch.  Participants will be limited to using their mobile phones to sketch out what draws their attention, things that interest them or that surprise them.  It might be interesting light, a juxtaposition of textures, shapes, colours or forms. 

4.00pm – 6:00pm

A selection of images will then be uploaded to the workshop computer using airdrop and viewed as a group.  From there, participants will narrow down their visual approach for the next day.

Day Three

9:30am – 12:00pm

We’ll begin by looking at portfolio images made in Essaouira by previous participants, followed by a look at the work of other photographers with different photographic approaches and styles.  There will also be a Q&A on technical and aesthetic approaches relevant to the medina location.  Afterwards, participants will individually explore the medina with their cameras.

3:30pm – 6:00pm

Open return for participants to get some feedback and suggestions for improvement from Darren which will influence the next morning’s approach.

Day Four

9:30am – 12:30pm

Participants continue photographing.

12:00pm – 12:30pm

Collectively meeting up and briefly feeding back on experiences, followed by a group lunch.

2:00pm – 4:00pm

Uploading of images onto the workshop computer.  Editing and sequencing in consultation with Darren.

5:00pm – 6:00pm

Workflow demonstration by Darren on processing refinements.

5:00pm – 6:00pm

The final presentation of 10 images for each participant, individually reflecting back on their initial mobile phone sketching on day two.

DAY 5 – This is a free day with the option of a morning photography trip to a nearby country market.

PART TWO – HUMAN FORM – DAPPLED LIGHT, SILHOUETTES, PROFILES

Day Six

9:30am – 12:30pm

An overview of the day’s programme.  Then a discussion on different approaches to including people in your photographs that don’t necessarily conform to convention.  In a group exercise photographing in pairs, use light as a device to create specific moods producing 3 distinct images which suggest one or more emotions.  Followed by a group review.

2.00pm – 4.00pm

After individually being assigned models from a network of Darren acquaintances, photographers will spend the time crafting images on location with their local Moroccan friends.

4.00pm – 6.00pm

The resulting images will be uploaded to the workshop computer and viewed as a group.

PART THREE – BUILDING A NARRATIVE

Day Seven

9:30am – 11:30am

With the total sequenced images from parts 1 & 2 assembled in one gallery, the group will offer opinions on an emerging cohesiveness for each portfolio.  Participants will then edit down and roughly sequence an order which could suggest a narrative structure and outline how the sequence can be developed.

11:30am – 2:00pm

Participants will individually make new photos related to their set.

2:00pm – 4:00pm

The resulting photos will be uploaded to the workshop computer and both individual photographers and Darren will edit and sequence the final set.

4:00pm – 4:30pm

The final group viewing of individual galleries.

4:30pm – 7:30pm

Landscape surprise. A local trip to a wild and visually stunning hotspot.

Day Eight – Departure day (Saturday)

The final selected images will be uploaded to your own personal portfolio gallery.

Equipment required:

Smartphone.

or DSLR or mirrorless camera with a standard – telephoto zoom (or prime)lens.

Accommodation is at the well-located and comfortable Riad Maison Du Sud with dining available at a host of good quality restaurants.