Contemporary Photography workshops in the UK with Maria Falconer FRPS and Prof. Paul Hill MBE

Photography Workshops With Maria Falconer FRPS & Prof. Paul Hill MBE

The Tutors
Paul is one of the UK's most influential photographers and workshop leaders, who has published several books and exhibited all over the world. A photo-journalist before concentrating on his own personal projects, he was awarded an MBE for services to photography and a Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society. Hill on Photography			A university lecturer and Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, Maria is also an experienced workshop teacher and professional photographer, whose work has been exhibited in the UK., Ireland, France, the US and East Asia. Her commercial photography has been widely published including The Guardian, The Times and The Scotsman. Maria Falconer Photography

Workshop Programme 2021

Work in Progress

Got an idea for a project? Or maybe working on something already? Join a small group of independent photographers each working to complete a body of work.
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Online

September
12th
2021

Performing for the Camera - Edinburgh, Scotland

A one day version of our highly succesful action packed Dance Photography Workshop. You will have the opportunity to work with many wonderful dancers on location and in the theatre. We guarantee that you will come out buzzing!
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Dance Base,
The Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland

September 26th
2021

Performing for the Camera - Nottingham

You won't find another workshop like this in the UK (or anywhere else as far as we know). You will have the opportunity to work with many wonderful dancers, on location, in the studio and in the theatre. This workshop will push your creativity to the max!
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Dance4, Nottingham

Sept 8th & 9th
2021

Ooh La Loire! - Montsoreau, The Loire Valley, France

Based in the stunning Château de Montsoreau-Museum of contemporary art, this workshop will be full of inspiration, challenges and fun!
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Montsoreau, The Loire Valley, France

June 7th - 12th 2022

Work in Progress

September 12th to December 4th, 2021 - Online Workshop

**Maria Falconer, Tell Me Again Chick , work in progress**

A Body of Work

How do you fancy getting stuck into a new photographic project? Maybe you have been thinking about an idea recently, or perhaps you are looking for new inspiration? You may even have made some images already but are unsure what the next step might be.

One of the things we have learned over the years is how beneficial it can be to work alongside others, both giving and receiving feedback, not just from tutors but also from other creative individuals.

This workshop offers you the space to transform your ideas and images into a completed body of work; the opportunity to work independently on a project, whilst also checking in regularly to discuss your ideas and progress.

Think of it as a kind of hub where you'll both give and receive creative stimulus, new ideas, lots of energy and positive feedback.

The Content

In order to pack in as much as possible, we've designed the workshop to include a mix of one-to-one and group sessions with a healthy balance of presentations, discussions and feedback, The programme will consist of five two-hour group meetings with Paul and Maria, plus each participant will receive two half-hour individual feedback sessions. In addition there will be a final group meeting for everyone to share their completed projects.

**Paul Hill, Dewponds , work in progress**

The Theme

One of the liberating things about this workshop is that there is no theme, you are free to explore anything you wish! You may have a project already on the go or you may decide to embark on something completely new. Your head could be full of ideas or maybe you are waiting for inspiration to strike. There is no right or wrong way, this is just a starting point.

Many of you will have made a body of work before, and you will understand that this is a challenging and exciting thing to do. But if this process is new to you then you really are in for a treat!

The Format

There are no rules about what you will make or the style you choose to work in. It could be a documentary book or a radical Zine, a moving image piece or a series of fine art prints. It's entirely up to you.

Unlike our one-day or weekend workshops, this project will be ongoing, and regular input from the entire group will help to shape and direct each individual's work.
In addition to input from Paul and Maria, participants are expected to make some contributions to the research, presentations, discussions and feedback. Naturally there will be times when you feel out of your comfort zone (that's how we grow), but the process isn't designed to be frightening, but rather informal, supportive and positive.

Topics will include:

Image making and selecting - practical and aesthetic considerations involved in making and selecting your images.

Choosing an appropriate platform - will your final project work best as a book, zine, moving image work, prints or some other format?

Editing and sequencing - how to create a narrative through your work.

Style, form and content - how to organise your material so that the design and meaning work together.

Much of the session time will be taken up with looking, analysing, and discussing your work.

It's important to recognise that participation in this workshop will demand a degree of commitment, both to your own work and also to the group sessions. But once on board, the journey is always enriching and rewarding and the results frequently surprising!

All group sessions will take place on Saturdays from 10.00 to 12.00 except the very first session which will be on a Sunday.

All group sessions will be recorded so if you are unable to make one you can catch up in your own time.

One-to-One 30 minute sessions will be scheduled in-between the group sessions at mutually convenient times.

Group Session 1 September 12th - note this is a Sunday

Group Session 2 September 18th

One-to-One sessions to be scheduled

Group Session 3 October 9th

Group Session 4 October 23rd

Group Session 5 November 6th

One-to-One sessions to be scheduled

Final Meetup December 4th

What you will need

A sense of curiosity, a willingness to share your knowledge and experience, and a commitment to the group.

A camera - anything from a smartphone upwards is fine by us. Remember that a camera is just a tool, the important thing is that you are comfortable using it.

Something to edit your images on - eg desktop computer, laptop, ipad etc.

A wifi connection.

Zoom downloaded and installed onto your computer, it's free and available here .

But don't just take our word for it ...

"Simply Superb!" Roger Lee

"An amazing experience, Maria and Paul are inspirational!" Pete Jacobs

"Eye opening and thought provoking, a thoroughly enjoyable experience, thank you!" Carol Holmes

"Excellent photographic experience, very well organised in superb surroundings" Paul Hutton

"Really good fun and friendly, Paul and Maria made learning so much fun, and the rest of the group were very keen to share their knowledge and experience too!" Simon Priestly

Booking - Maximum 10 participants

The workshop takes place from 10.00 to 12.00 on selected dates between Sunday September 12th and Saturday December 4th, 2021.

Cost - £195

When booking you will receive a paypal receipt immediately, this is also confirmation of your place. You will also receive an email confirmation from us within 48 hours.

Please note that refunds are not available after booking unless we are able to reallocate your place.

Buying a workshop as a gift? Just let us know when you book it and we will send you a gift certificate!

If you have any questions or would simply like a chat about the workshop, please don't hesitate to contact Maria - email / mobile +44 (0)7740 985 887, or Paul - email / mobile +44 (0)7977 700 274. We would be delighted to hear from you.

Back to workshop menu

Performing for the Camera

September 26th, 2021 - Edinburgh, Scotland

THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL BUT .....

It is not uncommon to have last minute cancellations for a workshop, so if you would like us to let you know if a vacancy arrises, or if you would like to receive immediate notification next time we run this workshop, please tell us here and we guarantee that you will be informed.

We are very excited to offer this one day action packed Dance Photography workshop at Dance Base in Edinburgh, Scotland's National Centre for Dance.

You won't find another dance photography workshop like this in the UK (or anywhere else as far as we know). You will have the opportunity to work with many wonderful dancers, in a range of different settings that will push your creativity to the max!

You will photograph highly trained contemporary dancers both out on location and in a live theatre setting. There will be presentations and exercises, discussions and technical info - but mostly you will be at the sharp end of picture making! We think it's fair to say that you will come out buzzing!

Check out our video from previous workshops

Video from previous workshops - all images made by participants

"Absolutely excellent workshop. I signed up to be taken out of my photographic comfort zone and the course did all of that and more. Congratulations on a very well run course." David Boath

"Really good fun and friendly, Paul and Maria made learning so much fun, and the rest of the group were very keen to share their knowledge and experience too!" Simon Priestly

"A great workshop, lots of help to hand and lots of positive encouragement too! Highly recommend it!" Anne Turner

"This workshop was a new genre to me but one I had wanted to attempt. It was brilliant and answered all my questions. The teachers were brilliant and couldn't have been more positive. I would highly recommend it!" Adrian Lowe-Wheeler

"An excellent combination of advice, information and extensive opportunities to photograph a wide variety of dancers. A challenging and very rewarding workshop!" Dave Mangan

May I have the Pleasure?

Unless you live somewhere in a dark hole, you can't possibly have missed the recent explosion of dance on our streets, cinemas, theatres and TVs! Dance has taken the UK - and the rest of the world - by storm! From Ballroom to Ballet, Strictly to Street Dance, everyone is up and moving!

But this new craze isn't easy to photograph. Production shots, location shoots, choreography, direction, improvisation and collaboration - what's it all about?
The world of dance photography can be both bewildering and fascinating, hard work and fun!
But we can show you the steps - if you're up for the challenge?

On this workshop Maria Falconer and Paul Hill will introduce you not only to the technical aspects of shooting dance, but much more importantly - the creative ones.

And because the numbers are limited to 12, you will have plenty of time and space to work, and lots of input from the tutors.

Photoshoot with Shaper/Caper, Dundee

Digital Camera Magazine feature on Maria's Performance Photography

The Workshop

It doesn't matter if you are an experienced photographer or new to the medium, this workshop welcomes a rich mix of enthusiastic participants. And if you are new to dance photography, Maria and Paul will guide you through the day.

The workshop will be packed with exercises and advice designed to help you create interesting unique images.

You will work with trained dancers both on location and in a live theatre setting.

Everything that you need will be on hand, so that you can really get involved and enjoy the experience.