'Inspired by Saul Leiter' workshop (London)
NEW FORMAT!
For workshops from December 2024 onwards, this workshop will be combined with my ‘night shooting’ workshop and will run as a longer session, from 1pm to 8pm. The workshop will start and finish close to Piccadilly Circus and there will be a short break in the middle of the session.
Saul Leiter was one of the world’s greatest and most influential street photographers and his work has made a remarkable revival in the 21st century. I this workshop you will learn about the man, his philosophy, his approach and his style of shooting. You’ll discover how to embrace this striking aesthetic and to bring his influence into your own street photography.
With a maximum of 6 participants, this ‘Saul Leiter inspired’ street photography workshop is designed to help you become a creative, competent and confident street photographer. It will combine structured shooting with coaching from your course leader, Brian Lloyd Duckett. Embracing Leiter’s simplistic approach, this workshop is more about the ‘art’ than it is about the technical aspects of street photography. You will be coached in how to produce stylish and distinctive images inspired by art – not random pictures of people sitting in cafes or just walking down the street.
Leiter wasn’t the sort photographer who was interested in the bleakness, pain and suffering of everyday life. Instead, he was attracted by the positive and uplifting moments and images of his environment; the lovely colour and the beauty of everyday life. In the workshop we explore the four ‘pillars’ of his approach: shape, colour, tight framing and abstraction.
2-3 days before the workshop you’ll be sent comprehensive joining instructions with details of the meeting venue, start and finish times and a brief questionnaire about you and your objectives – which we ask you to complete and return in advance of the workshop. This helps us ensure that the workshop can be geared, as far as possible, to your needs.
This workshop is limited to a maximum of seven participants.
What will you learn on the day?
Understand Leiter’s thinking, philosophy and approach
Develop a street photographer’s ‘eye’ and learn how to spot a photo opportunity in an everyday street scene
Understand the various approaches to street photography
Learn how to conceive and undertake meaningful street photography projects
Understand the some principles of colour and composition
Develop your own style of street photography in a more purposeful way
Conquer your fear of street shooting
Become invisible and shoot your environment quietly and unobtrusively
Learn the technical aspects of street photography: equipment, camera settings, composition, exposure, light and focus (including manual / zone focusing)
Understand the key legal and ethical aspects of street photography
AFTER THE WORKSHOP
Workshop follow-up
We will send you an extensive follow-up note with a recommended reading list, links to films and videos and other helpful resources. Critique is an important part of the learning process and you’ll be invited to submit images for constructive critique to help keep your development on-track. As far as we’re concerned, ‘the workshop never ends’ and Brian is always here for support and advice as your street photography journey progresses.
The StreetSnappers Collective
You’ll be invited to join the StreetSnappers Collective, the ‘virtual’ street photography club. Membership is completely free and is available only to those who have participated in Brian’s workshops. It’s a small, select and welcoming group of people with a shared passion: street photography. Benefits of Collective membership include access to a lively, active and very warm Facebook group where you can post images for critique, ask questions (about gear, techniques or locations, for example) or create debate about street photography. Members frequently arrange meet-ups and shooting days in their areas, form critique circles and organise their own events.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What level is this workshop?
This is ideally for photographers who are familiar with street photography; you needn’t be an experienced shooter but you should have an interest in street photography (or, better still, a passion for it!). The small group size (maximum 6 people) means that everyone gets plenty of one-to-one attention.
What gear do you need?
Travel light! Any camera model / make is fine, whether it’s a compact, mirrorless or DSLR; we also warmly welcome people who shoot on film. You will ideally have lenses which have a focal length of between 50 and 85mm (full-frame equivalent). If you don’t a have a prime lens, a zoom will be fine. You won’t need a flash or tripod.
Your workshop leader: Brian Lloyd Duckett
With a background in photojournalism, Brian is a London-based documentary photographer and professional street photographer. He taught as a visiting lecturer on photography degree courses and is a board member of the BPPA (British Press Photographers’ Association). He is an Official Fujifilm X-Photographer (ambassador). You can see some of his personal work here.