Please note Lightbox is now closed for applications. All applicants have been informed by email about whether they have been selected or not. If you have not heard please first check your inbox, and your spam/junk folder; then contact us. The dates give are the application dates.
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Redeye’s Lightbox aims to launch the careers of some of the UK’s most promising photographers through workshops, networking, participation and presentation.
INTRODUCTION
Many photographers are talented but fewer are equipped with what it takes to get their work noticed. Following on from the success of the 2010-11 programme, Lightbox 2 will guide a group of early career photographers in a week’s intensive learning and planning, with the option then to collaborate in a project likely to launch or be published during the Look13 festival in Liverpool in May 2013.
Applications invited by 20 July for the opportunity to be part of Lightbox 2 (details below).
STAGE 1 | LEARNING, NETWORKING AND PLANNING
17-21 SEPTEMBER 2012, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, MANCHESTER
An intensive week of workshops, case studies and networking opportunities. Guided by a range of experts from the world of photography, the arts and creative industries, you will hear from people who have tried something new and from some surprise speakers aiming to challenge your thinking and assumptions about photography and success. You’ll also learn about the dos and don’ts of working in groups. By the end of this week the group will have decided on the projects for stage 2, and those who wish to continue will choose their preferred options.
STAGE 2 | DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY
SEPTEMBER 2012 – MAY 2013, VARIOUS VENUES
For stage 2 the main group will split into smaller groups each guided by an experienced facilitator. Starting with the facts and information acquired in the first stage, the group will meet regularly, use a private online discussion forum, and have access to help and support from Redeye, to build the group’s work into a finished project. Groups will devise a theme for their project and think about ways in which they can generate exposure and opportunities for their future careers. Groups will be given the opportunity to launch their work at the end of the project at the Look13 festival, Liverpool.
REDEYE’S CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS
OCTOBER 2012 – FEBRUARY 2013, INSTITUTO CERVANTES, MANCHESTER
As an additional benefit to this year’s Lightbox programme, all participants selected will be invited to attend Redeye’s Autumn/ Winter Career Development Workshops in Manchester at a greatly reduced price. Designed to complement and further examine some of the topics discussed in stage 1, this is an opportunity to build your understanding of the following areas:
• Collaboration
• Marketing & networking
• Business & legal matters
• Fundraising
• Getting seen: exhibiting & print sales
• Getting seen: publication in print & online
FAQs
WHO IS LIGHTBOX AIMED AT?
Selected participants will already have a high standard of photography and be keen to experiment and develop their work further. We welcome applicants from any area of practice, such as fine art, documentary, journalism, landscape or portrait photography. You will need to be open to collaborate with a group and willing to engage with the theme chosen for your project. We encourage participants from any location within the UK.
WHO DELIVERS LIGHTBOX?
Redeye staff will select applicants and oversee the progression of the programme throughout. We have some exciting guest speakers and mentors lined up which will be announced at www.redeye.org.uk shortly.
WHAT AREAS WILL STAGE 1 COVER?
• The changing nature of professional photography and photographic art; challenging your thinking on what makes a successful photographer
• Digital possibilities – new ways of showcasing, distributing and marketing your work
• Web and print publishing – the range of possibilities, working with a publisher, editing, sequencing and preparing your work
• Exhibiting – printing, framing, hanging; working with gallery staff and choosing the right work and curatorial methods dependent upon space
• Marketing, publicising and launching your project and the different opportunities that are available
• Networking opportunities with gallery directors, publishers, and other facilitators
• Project management, group working and productive meetings.
WHAT AREAS WILL STAGE 2 COVER?
• Creating a strong, relevant and appealing body of work
• Curating and delivering a group project
• Responding to a theme or brief
• Working collaboratively; dividing and assigning tasks efficiently and fairly
• Marketing
WHAT ARE THE STAGE 2 PROJECTS?
The exact nature will be decided during stage 1, but we would like to encourage a range of ways of showing your work. This could include a conventional exhibition, an exterior show or projection event, a publication, a web or new media activity or a cross-media event or activity. We will help to facilitate introductions to partner organisations to give you the best opportunity to explore your ambitions.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ATTENDING REDEYE’S CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS?
Furthering the advice and guidance received in stage 1, the Career Development Workshops will examine some of the key topics in more detail and bring new information and possibilities from differing speakers. The Career Development Workshops are aimed at photographers who are dedicated to expanding the knowledge side of their practice. With topics ranging from business to getting your work seen, the programme is an in-depth dissection of some of the key skills and lessons needed as a contemporary practicing photographer.
IS THERE A THEME?
The Look13 festival has an overarching theme looking at what happens when we turn the camera on ourselves. Focusing on identity and representation, it asks how we use photography to explore and project who we are, or to examine and project images of others. We expect some but not all of the Lightbox projects to reflect this theme loosely, literally or metaphorically.
ATTENDANCE
You can just attend stage 1. We would like stage 1 to be the most exciting week of your professional life and that might be enough! We hope you will learn a lot in just that time. You cannot just attend stage 2. Only those who have paid for and attended stage 1 can take part in stage 2. You must attend a minimum of two-thirds of scheduled sessions in either stage to retain your place.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Stage 1: Non-member: £300, Non-member (Student / Unwaged): £275, Redeye Member: £250 [including VAT]
Stage 2: Non-member: £105, Non-member (Student / Unwaged): £85, Redeye Member: £65 [including VAT]
By becoming a Redeye member, you save significantly on this and other Redeye events – see www.redeye.org.uk/join
ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL
All workshops take place in Manchester. Travel and accommodation costs must be met by participants and are not included. We will advise on accommodation if required.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following:
• A body of work, maximum 6 images. If printed, maximum size A4, un-mounted (prints will not be returned) or if digital, jpeg format, maximum size 3000 pixels in the longest dimension. Maximum email size 10MB.
• Your contact details including phone number and email, and your CV or summary of your work and interests.
• A short text of a few sentences explaining why you wish to take part, your attitude to group projects, what you would hope to gain from the course, a summary of your experience to date, and any words supporting your images. This text should be no more than one side of A4 paper either printed or digitally [.doc, .rtf, .txt or .pdf formats only] – maximum 400 words.
Send your application either via email to redeyesubmissions@gmail.com or postal submissions to Redeye Lightbox, Chinese Arts Centre, Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU, UK, to arrive by Friday 20 July, 5pm. Any queries to Mark at mark@redeye.org.uk or 0845 456 0260.
DEADLINES AND PAYMENT
Applications must be received by Friday 20 July, 5pm. The organising panel will make a selection of participants based on each submission. You will be notified if your application has been successful by Friday 27 July, and given details of how to pay.
Your non-refundable deposit of £50 must be received by Friday 10 August, or your place will be allocated to someone else. The balance of your payment for stage 1 must be received by Friday 7 September.
Once you have been accepted on the course you will receive details about obtaining the Lightbox discount on our Career Development Workshops. Full payment for stage 2 must be received by Friday 5 October.
No refunds will be paid once either course has started.
COMMENTS FROM PREVIOUS REDEYE EXHIBITION WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS:
“...It was an amazing line-up of inspirational people, and great course-mates. It’s come at just the right time for me, to start my shuffle from ‘person who loves taking photographs but is swamped by the day job’; to ‘there are ways forward for me’...”
“...I felt more inspired by it than I had been by any other educational/ cultural event I’ve had an opportunity to participate in over the last few years. It really demystified so many areas of photographic practice and of the institutions behind it for me...”
“...It was fantastic, extremely well managed and the speakers were great. I came away buzzing and the week will definitely change my photographic life from a thinking, marketing and tackling ways to get my work shown...”
For full details on all Redeye activities, please see www.redeye.org.uk, where you can subscribe to our email update for latest information; or follow us on Twitter (@RedeyeNetwork).