Organised by Leica
This five-day, intensive workshop will focus on Simon’s philosophy and approach to photography which is fundamentally based on intuition. From his early career shooting youth culture, the Grime music scene, the French banlieu as well as his long meander on the Silverlink trainline, to his later projects in India, his return to London as Abbey Road Studios in-house photographer and his new work within magazines and fashion.
Sharing stories and insights gained over the course of his acclaimed 25-year career in photography, Simon will encourage participants to discover and nurture their own personal visions by delving within themselves to find their confidence as photographers.
The workshop comprises 5 morning sessions (9am to 12.30pm) over 5 days (Monday to Friday) in the Leica Akademie classroom at Leica store Mayfair.
The first day begins with a thorough introduction to Simon’s work followed by a group review of all participants work to date. This review session will formulate the focus of the week where each subsequent morning will be spent reviewing and critiquing images that each participant has shot independently earlier that morning and on the previous afternoon with the view to build upon an existing project or to formulate the beginnings of a new one. During the afternoon sessions, Simon will spend time out in the field with each participant on a 1-2-1 tutorial basis, addressing individual concerns.
By the end of the workshop each participant should expect to come away with a refined series of images and a redefined approach to their work based on the process of shooting, analysing, and then developing their work over the course of the five days.
The philosophy of the workshop in Simon’s own words:
“I believe that photography is very simple but to make good pictures can be difficult, and my workshop attempts to deal with this paradox.
Photographs are only the result; we have to focus on the process. Creativity rests with the subconscious rather than the conscious mind, and the workshop will attempt to encourage the participants to become instinctive about their photography. Ideally one goes beyond the subconscious and into the superconscious mind, where genius resides.
From my perspective, photography is rooted in philosophy and psychology and to be a ‘photographer’ is merely incidental. Everyone must have their own individual approach to reflect that axis of their heart and mind - where a photograph is initially produced. Sensitivity is the key quality for every photographer making personal work, it is something inherent and based in one’s own experience of life. It can’t be bought or taught.
Technique can be easily acquired through consistent practice, and I don’t believe I can ‘teach’ photography in this regard. Experience is always the truest teacher and my role as a workshop leader is to help the participants understand that experience, to guide and hopefully inspire them. My work more resembles that of a doctor than a teacher: I first try and understand the ‘condition’ of each photographer - those workings of the heart and mind - and help them to locate paths leading beyond wherever it is they may be and, importantly, to go beyond any perceived limits. For in its highest forms photography is something infinite, something spiritual even.”
Format:
5-day group workshop, Monday to Friday (seminar in Leica Akademie classroom 9am- 12.30pm each day). Followed by Solo independent shooting in the afternoon with 1-2-1 sessions with Simon.
Who should attend:
This workshop is open to all levels of photographer who are keen to grow their skill set.
Limited to 10 Students.
Students will be expected to contribute 10 to 15 images in the first session for review, that represent them as a photographer. This will form the starting point and basis of their weeks learning focus.
A Leica Camera is not required for this class.
An assortment of Leica Cameras will be available on loan at no further cost for the duration of the workshop (please see T&C's).
To be best prepared for this workshop we recommend a course of bespoke 1-2-1 photography tutorials to get you up to speed on the technical knowledge needed to get the most out of this experience, more information can be found here: Leica Akademie 1-2-1 bespoke tutorial.
Be sure to read our T&Cs before booking.