THE MPA SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
This unique opportunity, offered to you by the MPA, consists of a four day event featuring 8 top professional photographers. They will be sharing their expertise, creativity and innovative ideas.
The Masters Photographers Association, inaugurating the School of Photography held in historic environment of Durham Castle, intends The September 2008 school to be the first of many. Provisional dates are Spring and Autumn 2009, with details to be released later in 2008.
The first MPA School of Photography course in Durham will introduce a new way to achieve the Diploma in Photographic Practice, MPA’s accredited qualification, or upgrade to a Distinction for those already holding DipPP.
To be held at Durham Castle. 22-25 SEPTEMBER 2008
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Henk van Kooten FMPA MQEP Practical: Working with models (family portrait) Modern portraiture - why and how Creating your own identity in photography Lighting and composition Learn your limits and identify your qualities Modern marketing and sales Being creative with weddings The need to satisfy your goals. |
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Paul Cooper FMPA QEP Commercial clients and the GP studio Practical: Architectural and Industrial subjects Perspective control within the camera Planning for success: the right equipment for the job Control of contrast Image positions and angles Viewpoints relating to industrial locations Post production of commercial images Colour management of commercial projects Computer and Photoshop processing |
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Julie Oswin AMPA The business side of weddings Presentations which attract sales Pricing for sales and profit Order management Client/photographer communication Marketing strategies for weddings Efficient business management |
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Steve Walton FMPA Colour Management Final Output Pictorial and Landscapes that sell Authorship, copyright and licensing Limited editions, libraries and galleries Practical printing demonstrations and resolving printing problems Demonstration of Epson printers |
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Kevin Wilson FMPA Creative conception, capture and control Practical: Controlling light and contrast Exposure and its measurement The use of diffusers and reflectors Making the most of available light Expanding your horizons with evening light/supplementary lighting Capturing the image Posing for effect The influence of locations Controlling the final image |
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Gordon McGowan FMPA Practical: The art of posing Correct composition Modern posing Relating to the location Communication with the bride/groom on the day Small details that really matter An overview of modern trends Creativity with Photoshop Post production and print quality Personal style: albums and prints |
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Ciaran O’Neill Practical: Fashion portraiture The future of social photography Small business management Expansion and Success Trends and fashions |
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Guy Gowan Mastering Adobe Photoshop workflow Actions Time management |
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Simon John Practical: Modern portraiture Studio lighting and posing The study of composition Understanding light, shadow and patterns Client psychology/matching mood with design File handling and raw conversions How to achieve consistently high sales Your product and aftercare to the clients Looking forward, personal goals, qualifications |
MPA set up the Diploma in Photographic Practice to provide a recognised qualification in allround business and professional competence.
This involved assessor visits and much paperwork, limiting the number of studios with the six months or more necessary to put into obtaining the certificate.
Now a new curriculum and assessment process has been introduced for the Diploma, based on a shorter one-month lead time for providing written evidence and images, plus three and half days of intensive tuition at the MPA School of Photography.
Though the pool of tutors for future twice-yearly School of Photography sessions will change, the subjects covered will match a precise curriculum.
Each lecturer will have to deal with the topics allocated. At the end of the session, the student and tutor will both complete a checklist to sign that the student was present during the coverage of every topic.
Trevor Lewis Hon FMPA DipPP is a nationally accredited NVQ Assessor, and will be present to receive the evidence of completed modules. The photographer must be present for the whole of the course in order to qualify for the Diploma. Paperwork for the diploma submission will be sent on booking.
A month before the course, the photographer should submit a written business plan (guidance notes will be given), a set of ten 10 x 8" examples of commissioned work from the preceding 12 months, a full set of marketing literature and stationery (including screen shot prints of web pages), Health & Safety assessment, employment policy, evidence of compliance with public liability and indemnity, and a self-appraisal.
Instead of having an assessor visit premises, photographs may be supplied. Trevor Lewis as the official MPA assessor will then meet the candidates at the School of Photography. In the month before the School session, feedback will be given for any amendments needed to the material submitted.
The overall workload involved will be less for the photographer, compensated for by the intensive tuition at the School.
The cost of the DipPP used to be £550. The School costs £499+VAT (residential) or £299 + VAT (nonresidential) to MPA members and affiliates. This includes the Diploma fees where applicable. The School is open to all photographers; nonmembers pay £599+VAT/£399+VAT.
The Diploma is open to qualified members of MPA only. Those who have already achieved a DipPP will be given a Distinction Certificate on completion of one School of Photography course.
There is no obligation to do the DipPP when booking for the School of Photography.
Supported by PhotoShield and Epson UK.
In the event of unforeseen changes to the availability of Tutors, the MPA will arrange suitable alternatives.
The first MPA School of Photography course in Durham will introduce a new way
to achieve the Diploma in Professional Photographic Practice, MPA's accredited
qualification, or upgrade to a Distinction for those already holding DipPP.
Durham Castle September 22nd-25th 2008 – the programme
Monday September 22nd 2008 Arrive with additional accommodation Sunday night £30 if required. Registration 9.00am onwards. Durham Castle residential facility is part of the University of Durham, offering hotel accommodation in the heart of the city near the historic Cathedral. |
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| 10am - 12.30pm | Gordon McGowan FMPA – Modern Wedding Practice including model shoot. |
| 1.30pm - 3pm | Gordon McGowan FMPA – Creative Post Processing and Personal Style, Prints and Albums. |
| 3pm - 5pm | Steve Walton FMPA – Digital Workflow, Colour Management and Print Output. (Steve will demonstrate using the Epson 3800 or Gemini IV system and examples taken by Gordon McGowan and students earlier in the day). |
| 5 - 6.30pm | Julie Oswin AMPA – Sales Presentation, Pricing, and Marketing Strategies. (Julie will complete the day’s practical exercises by presenting the results). |
Tuesday September 23rd |
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| 9.30am-11am | Julie Oswin AMPA – Photographic Business Management. |
| 11.00am-12.30pm | Steve Walton FMPA – Capitalising on Authorship. Personal work, copyright, licensing, limited. editions, photo libraries, gallery exhibitions, sales, and planning for your future. |
| 1.30pm-5.00pm | Henk van Kooten FMPA (Netherlands) – the Business of Portraiture, from your creative. personalityto your presentation and premises. Matching the photographer and the product style to the client. Demonstrations will include Family portraiture, with models. |
| 5.00pm-7.45pm | Kevin Wilson FMPA – Creative Conception, Capture, and Control in Weddings and Portraiture. Demonstration with model/s combining evening light and supplementary lighting. |
| Wednesday September 24th | |
| 9.00am-12.30pm | Paul Cooper FMPA – Commercial, PR, Advertising, Architectural and Industrial photography for the GP studio. Location visit to architectural subject, computer post-processing. |
| 1.30pm-4.00pm | Simon John FMPA – Shooting and Selling the 21st Century Image. With model. |
| 4.00pm-7.45pm | Guy Gowan – Mastering Adobe Photoshop Workflow with Actions. |
| Thursday September 25th | |
| 9.00am-12.30pm | Ciaran O’Neill, current UK Professional Photographer of the Year (Northern Ireland) – Small Business Management for Expansion and Success – the Future of Social Photography. With fashion portrait model. |
| 1.30pm-2.30pm | Trevor Lewis Hon FMPA DipPP and Colin Buck Hon FMPA DipPP – Closing Session. |
In addition to the School of Photography Curriculum, the course includes accommodation and all meals. Time will be available to talk to the tutors, some of whom will be staying overnight and present at dinner. There will limited scope for early and late exploration of Durham’s historic city centre. Some of the lectures will involve locations in the Castle and others outside the venue. An Epson printing system will be operating to allow output. All candidates should bring their camera/laptop and related equiment. Detailed topic modules will be covered by the tutors in the course of their talks and demonstrations. This programme is provisional and subject to changes of detail. |
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The Durham Castle course is limited to 20 students. Call MPA HQ on 01325 356555 for details of booking terms and reserve your place on the first MPA School of Photography.