My first photo workshop

I just returned from Milan where I attended my first photography workshop. The workshop, called Carnem was curated and run by Samuele Pellecchia and his Prospekt staff at the Fabbrica del Vapore in the city center. Nine people from France and Italy attended the three day workshop, all of whom were professionals working full-time (except me, of course).

The quality of the images taken was very high. For the three days that we worked on assignments, giving and receiving criticism among the students, and hearing from the staff, not one word about equipment or post-processing was uttered. The conversation was about emotional impact and creating an engaging image. Best of all, there was no charge (beyond travel expenses, that is) to attend the workshop. The entire event was fantastic and I have walked away from it inspired to create a continuous body of work in the form of a photo diary.

I'll try to post some of my workshop images soon. Thanks for looking!

George Holroyd said:

I just returned from Milan where I attended my first photography workshop. The workshop, called Carnem was curated and run by Samuele Pellecchia and his Prospekt staff at the Fabbrica del Vapore in the city center. Nine people from France and Italy attended the three day workshop, all of whom were professionals working full-time (except me, of course).

The quality of the images taken was very high. For the three days that we worked on assignments, giving and receiving criticism among the students, and hearing from the staff, not one word about equipment or post-processing was uttered. The conversation was about emotional impact and creating an engaging image. Best of all, there was no charge (beyond travel expenses, that is) to attend the workshop. The entire event was fantastic and I have walked away from it inspired to create a continuous body of work in the form of a photo diary.

I'll try to post some of my workshop images soon. Thanks for looking!

Carnem Banner at Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan 2012
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George,

I'm delighted on so many counts. Last first, the picture you share is bursting with energy. I'm worried that it's so far from the 100 meter squared series that they influenced you too much, but I have no idea what the picture was made from. Is the person in front of a brightly illuminated poster? I'd love to know more about this and what were your thoughts. It looks like you received amphetamines compared to your deliberate and reflective work until now, (that I've had the privilege of enjoying so much).

The other points are my congratulations of getting out of the 100 meter squared box of your apartment and breathing some new air in Italy. The generosity of the event teacher is rare and so welcome. This means that each of you were picked as you already showed potential and that he felt the interaction would equally help him too! Meeting others in similar circumstances can be an opportunity to make lasting friendships and that's worth a lot.

So altogether you have done very well.

It's so refreshing that a teacher is sharing ideas on the basis of promoting photographic art rather than just earning a living. We're lucky he was able to do that! Is he successful selling his work anyway or does he also have a regular job?

Asher

George Holroyd said:

not one word about equipment or post-processing was uttered. The conversation was about emotional impact and creating an engaging image.

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While there is nothing wrong with discussing technique, cameras or processing, it was always my experience that very, very few workshops discuss pictures in a competent manner. I am glad for you that you found one.

Actually, my image is just a shot of the Carnem banner, a picture of a picture.

I'm not sure how Samuele was able to do it, but I am very happy to have been able to take part in the workshop. As mentioned there was a portfolio submission process, I submitted 20 images from my series.

I hope to take some direction from the portfolios of Samuele and his staff in creating a larger, ongoing visual diary for my work. This as opposed to trying to manufacture series.

George Holroyd said:

Actually, my image is just a shot of the Carnem banner, a picture of a picture.

I'm not sure how Samuele was able to do it, but I am very happy to have been able to take part in the workshop. As mentioned there was a portfolio submission process, I submitted 20 images from my series.

I hope to take some direction from the portfolios of Samuele and his staff in creating a larger, ongoing visual diary for my work. This as opposed to trying to manufacture series.

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I thought you'd taken a wild picture of someone leaping in front of the banner, LOL, not like you at all!! That explains it! Looking forward to the diary, a great way of working!

Asher

I just received an email from the folks at Carnem informing me that I've been selected to take part in a group exhibit, along with nine other artists. The work is being drawn from the photos we each made during one of the four workshops held in conjunction with the Carnem festival. Our photos will be on display at the Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan, Italy from January 24th until February 15th. I had no idea that this was even a possibility!

I've also been informed that the images I submitted for consideration in the Carnem Collective Installation (a crowd-sourced effort) have been accepted into the final work. The installation consists of a 6x3 meter photo-mosaic inspired by a contemporary painting. The installation was created by students from the Scenography class of the Brera Fine Art Academy of Milan. As I understand it, the mosaic will remain on display at the Fabbrica permanently.

This is a tremendous result.

George Holroyd said:

I just received an email from the folks at Carnem informing me that I've been selected to take part in a group exhibit, along with nine other artists. The work is being drawn from the photos we each made during one of the four workshops held in conjunction with the Carnem festival. Our photos will be on display at the Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan, Italy from January 24th until February 15th. I had no idea that this was even a possibility!

I've also been informed that the images I submitted for consideration in the Carnem Collective Installation (a crowd-sourced effort) have been accepted into the final work. The installation consists of a 6x3 meter photo-mosaic inspired by a contemporary painting. The installation was created by students from the Scenography class of the Brera Fine Art Academy of Milan. As I understand it, the mosaic will remain on display at the Fabbrica permanently.

This is a tremendous result.

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George,

This is part of the fruits of your labor! Going out and getting more work done beyond the boundaries of what you did last year and an essential part of the "formula" for progress. Can't wait to see the Collective's work!

Kudos!

Asher

Details for the unveiling of the collective installation and the group exhibit.

Fabulous!

Are you going to be there? A big expense but great if you are able!

Can we see more of your work as a treat?

Asher.

George, a very big congrats from me.

I wish you continued success.

Well done!!

Best regards.

Thank you for the kind words. I'm not sure if we'll be able to make it to the opening.

George, I hope you can make it. Will they have prints of the collective work?

Asher

After much consideration, we've decided to make the trip to Milan for the opening. I'll see about getting some photos of the exhibit and the installation while we're there.

Here is a shot of my part of the group exhibition, which consists of five unmounted prints from each of the ten artists, as well as a view of the collective installation. The installation turned out quite well and drew a good crowd for the unveiling. I was able to see a number of my photos in the mosaic. The piece is based on The Fourth Estate, by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo. I've got to say that I'm very glad we made the trip.

George Holroyd said:

Here is a shot of my part of the group exhibition, which consists of five unmounted prints..............

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George,

This presentation of your own photography is simply fabulous and marks an important point in your career. Now you will wonder less how capable you a rem as you can see that your work is valued by others who respect new and original art. Kudos to you.

Asher

George Holroyd said:

I was able to see a number of my photos in the mosaic. The piece is based on The Fourth Estate, by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo. I've got to say that I'm very glad we made the trip.

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George,

I need to do some homework - I'll have to look up that work by Pelizza! Do you also have a sharper image. I'm trying to figure out where your parts are situated.

Asher

Asher, thank you. I managed to make a couple of detail shots of the installation on Thursday. The first of the images below shows one of my contributions, No. 5 from 33 Meters Squared, appearing twice in the mosaic. Up close I could see many of the images repeated in order to cover the large size of the piece.

Hopefully, the folks at Carnem will release a proper, high resolution photo of the work.