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GOAL
* Learn how to create a new series;
* Learn and improve how to build a photographic series be it linked to fiction, reality or both.
* Build a plastic approach and an artistic coherence in the approach of a subject.
* Develop your own visual language and photographic identity.
This workshop in full immersion with Richard Dumas aims at developing the aptitude of the participant to carry out a photography assignment in an institutional context. This experience will allow the participant to develop his/her capacity to produce a photographic work in a given location and throughout a given limited time period.
BIOGRAPHY
“Richard Dumas is not a portraitist, but a photographer. In contrast with another photographer named Richard (Avedon, to be exact), Dumas is not a socialite or a star because he shoots celebrities or fashion photographer. This distinction is not intended to tarnish this celebrated photographer’s essential role but to better understand Dumas’s personal talents.
He is immediately recognizable by his somewhat dandy-like elegance and his intuition for strong and restrained contrasts. His pictures appear to be placed out of time, making them icons through the mystery of his images and their unexpected vibrations of light. This refined photography is nourished by literature, Portuguese cinema, and a rich breath of music ranging from jazz to rock.” Christian Caujolle
Richard Dumas is distributed by Agency VU‘ and represented by POLKA Gallery.
If you want to be kept informed about Richard Dumas, you can go on Facebook, LIKE Eyes in Progress, his agency Vu’ and add us on your list of interests.
“As Sam Butler said, an art can only be learned in the workshop of those who are earning their bread by it” Richard Dumas.
“Following a workshop with Richard Dumas is a strong experience. For photographers, it is a plunge into the heart of their inspiration, plunge which can sometimes be destabilizing but always beneficial.
Richard Dumas’ approach during the workshop is far from academic, he does not establish any conclusive judgment on the work, he sets preferences. But it is during the creative process that he guides the photographers towards a creation of their own, he leads them, in a subtle way, in the path towards their personal style of portraiture.
It is often a strong moment for the photographers that are thus lead to discover or rediscover their creativity.” Véronique Sutra, CEO Eyes in Progress
Program
Eyes in Progress proposes a frame of a one week training course during which 9 participants will be placed in a situation of total immersion, in order to produce a photographic series, from inception to end, under the direction of a distinguished photographer.
Participants will be placed in a situation of « artistic residence ». Working days shall be spitted in various sessions: shootings, editing, masterclasses and mutual exchanges on a daily basis.
On the final workshop's day, the participants will have the opportunity to show their series in a local distinguished restaurant of Banyuls, an opening will be organized and they will be able to show and present their works to the audience throughout a musical slideshow.
Moreover, other activities will be proposed, outside of the working sessions, in order to allow participants to appropriate their environment and to arouse their creativity and inspiration.
These sessions will take place in a typical and very charming country house, a so said ‘mas’, located in the hamlet of Cosprons (Occitanie region), close to the border of France and Spain. Located in the bottom of a valley covered with vineyards, not far from the Bay of Paulliles, you will enjoy a quiet and beautiful environment, living among warmful and authentic inhabitants.
Participants will share bedrooms (2 per room with independent bathroom in each) except if they prefer to be in a single room (this will depend on the rooms availability at the time of the participant application).
You will be asked to adapt to a total immersion life, to take risks and to go beyond your limits, in order to progress and to get access to a higher level in your practice of photography.
No later than one month before the workshop, participants will be provided with a dossier with a list of subjects and of contacts on site, to allow you to think about your project and prepare it.
Pictures of the workshops in Cosprons since 2018.
DETAILED AGENDA:
Day One (starting on Sunday, 5pm):
Introduction
Welcome of participants on training site.
Preliminary presentations, each participant briefly introduces oneself to the group, introduction of the invited photographer.
Presentation by Eyes in Progress of the 7 days organization and of the pre-established projects.
Description and presentation of the local environment.
Questions/answers.
First exchanges related to the selected subjects and/or still subjects to further thinking.
Day 2 (Monday):
9:30am – 12:30pm
Each participant shows out one or two completed and published series. They will present themselves orally to the group.
1:30 – 3pm
Commented projection of Richard Dumas
Richard Dumas will spend time talking about his own work and the different projects and portraits he has worked on. He will share his photographic references with the group and explain the context while shooting his photographs.
3 – 6pm
The group goes out together in a local town near by to initiate the shooting sessions. Every participant will be free to achieve an individual reconnaissance outdoor in order to identify some points and/or meet with potential subjects (appointments could have been arranged previously). As far as possible, they will start making some shots. The staff can help in arranging contacts or in making suggestions.
Back indoor, exchanges about the reconnaissance carried on and identified constraints. Final choice of projects with Richard Dumas.
Day 3 to Day 6 –(Tuesday up to Friday):
10 am – 17am
Shooting sessions
Every participants goes outdoors to shoot their subjects. Participants come back to the house in order to get a critical review and improvement suggestions of Richard Dumas. Daily meetings will be defined so that each participant can spend time with Richard Dumas in order to develop his/her series.
Through a selection and a discussion with Richard Dumas around the best pictures of the day, participants will work at developing their series and improving their global approach of the subject.
5 – 6pm
Exchanges in group on shooting and associated problems such as encountered. Synthesis and solutions, presented by Richard Dumas.
Day 7 (Saturday)
9.30 am – 13 pm
Final editing and sequence
Each participant works on the final editing and sequence of his/her series.
On Saturday morning, participants are invited to give their final selection for the slideshow which will be projected in the evening.
2-4 pm
Slideshow preparation.
6 pm
Exhibition opening and presentation of each series to the audience.
Day 8 (Sunday)
9:30 am – 1pm
Final discussions on the choice of mentor for each participant. Final Q/A session with Richard Dumas.
Working language: French and/or English (depending on the audience).
