Why do photographers need to write, or to know about writing? What kinds of writing are relevant to photographers, practically and professionally, to help them develop their careers? How does the written word define and expand the impact of the photograph?
This practical course introduces some of the most important techniques you’ll need to know about as a professional or serious photographer, including autobiography, reviewing, press releases, and reports. It explains how thinking about words can expand the photographer's mind, and can help to articulate your intentions, aims and ambitions in your professional world and beyond it.
During a day-long session you will learn about, and produce, four pieces of work to which you will receive feedback. Later, during an evening session, your work will be reviewed and discussed.
In looking at autobiography, we’ll see how it works as a way of distilling experience for a particular audience. Reviews, often accompanied by photographs, are interpretations and evaluations of cultural phenomena, which can include photographs as subjects - therefore it's a vital skill to understand how to write them or understand what they do. Press Releases also address important practical needs, in relation to exhibitions and the art world, but also in industry, education, government, and so on. A report - often accompanied by photos - is a standard way of turning an event into news, in print or multimedia, but it must be structured in a certain way to "engage" with its audience, which may have a very short attention span. Each type of writing uses a different style, tries to achieve different aims, and is relevant to photographic practice.
About Bob Dickinson
Bob Dickinson is an experienced journalist and broadcaster, who has worked at BBC Radio 4, Radio 2 and Radio 1, Granada Television, and Channel 4, and written for The Guardian, The Observer, New Musical Express, local events magazines City Life and New Manchester Review, and fanzines including City Fun and Debris. He is a regular contributor to the contemporary art magazine Art Monthly.
Tickets
A maximum of 20 places are available. Ticket prices are:
Redeye Member: £30
Standard Ticket: £60
Unwaged: £45
To buy a Redeye member ticket, please first log in to this website as a paid Redeye member. To book a ticket, please click the Book Ticket button below. Ticket sales close at 18:00 on 8 March 2014. Please check our terms and conditions before booking.
Venue and Timing
The course will take place over two sessions. The first of these will be a day-long session on 9 March 2014 from 12:00 to 18:00 (Doors open at 11:30 – tea and coffee available). The second of these sessions will take place on 18 March 2014 from 18:00-21:00. Both sessions will take place in the Jasmine Suite at the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art, Market Buildings, Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1EU.
The Centre for Chinese Contemporary Arts is located in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, a 15 minute walk from Piccadilly railway station and five minutes from Victoria. If coming by car parking can be found at the nearby NCP Arndale Car Park (M4 3AQ), Manchester Transport Interchange/Printworks Multi Storey Car Park (M4 2AF), or (cheaper) Rochdale Road car park (M4 5FW).