The political temperature in the UK is rising fast and the local elections on May 7th could provide a turning point in the direction our country takes.
This provides the perfect backdrop for a politically-themed documentary project. Starting with a 2-day workshop in London which will focus partially on the local elections, you will continue to work on your project for up to 12 months, the aim being to produce a cohesive body of work and, ultimately, a zine.
Your project need not be focused on London and, in fact, you have the ideal opportunity to complete your project wherever you live, from the smallest village to the biggest city; politics happens everywhere and there will be no shortage of stories during the next 12-18 months.
The backbone of the project is a 2-day documentary workshop which will take place in and around Westminster on the day of the May 7th local elections and on ‘results day’, the 8th.
How you approach your project is up to you. You could aim to tell a ‘serious’ story or you could adopt more of a street photographer’s approach with a more nuanced and possibly witty interpretation.
Whilst we can’t predict exactly what will happen in London on May 7th, experience tells us that the atmosphere around the ‘Westminster bubble’ will be febrile, with a fascinating mix of protesters, news crews, politicians, eccentrics and activists. Similarly on May 8th, as the results are announced, people usually take to the streets.
In Detail . . .
Before the Workshop:
Core elements of the Workshop:
During the street shooting time, part of the day will be spent with the group, part shooting on your own.
Around 20% of our time will be spent in the ‘classroom’ and 80% will be shooting on the streets.
Each day starts at 10am and we aim to finish around 5pm (we may shoot into the evening if there is sufficient interesting activity).
A group Zoom chat after 6 months to check-in on progress, share images and exchange ideas / best practice.
What you will learn:
How a photojournalist approaches events such as this.
Coaching in the basics / mechanics of running a documentary project.
The key elements of storytelling.
How conduct thorough research; project planning; logistics; costs.
Technical considerations: light, composition, aesthetic, gear choices.
Considerations when shooting your project.
The output: exploring the production of a book or zine; social media; exhibiting your work.
Final presentation of your synopsis; closing comments from the group.
The political temperature in the UK is rising fast and the local elections on May 7th could provide a turning point in the direction our country takes.
This provides the perfect backdrop for a politically-themed documentary project. Starting with a 2-day workshop in London which will focus partially on the local elections, you will continue to work on your project for up to 12 months, the aim being to produce a cohesive body of work and, ultimately, a zine.
Your project need not be focused on London and, in fact, you have the ideal opportunity to complete your project wherever you live, from the smallest village to the biggest city; politics happens everywhere and there will be no shortage of stories during the next 12-18 months.
The backbone of the project is a 2-day documentary workshop which will take place in and around Westminster on the day of the May 7th local elections and on ‘results day’, the 8th.
How you approach your project is up to you. You could aim to tell a ‘serious’ story or you could adopt more of a street photographer’s approach with a more nuanced and possibly witty interpretation.
Whilst we can’t predict exactly what will happen in London on May 7th, experience tells us that the atmosphere around the ‘Westminster bubble’ will be febrile, with a fascinating mix of protesters, news crews, politicians, eccentrics and activists. Similarly on May 8th, as the results are announced, people usually take to the streets.
In Detail . . .
Before the Workshop:
Core elements of the Workshop:
During the street shooting time, part of the day will be spent with the group, part shooting on your own.
Around 20% of our time will be spent in the ‘classroom’ and 80% will be shooting on the streets.
Each day starts at 10am and we aim to finish around 5pm (we may shoot into the evening if there is sufficient interesting activity).
A group Zoom chat after 6 months to check-in on progress, share images and exchange ideas / best practice.
What you will learn:
How a photojournalist approaches events such as this.
Coaching in the basics / mechanics of running a documentary project.
The key elements of storytelling.
How conduct thorough research; project planning; logistics; costs.
Technical considerations: light, composition, aesthetic, gear choices.
Considerations when shooting your project.
The output: exploring the production of a book or zine; social media; exhibiting your work.
Final presentation of your synopsis; closing comments from the group.
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