FMIPP 2018 – Keith Ellul

Statement of intent

I used to think that the coast was the primary source of my inspiration; I thought it was the exclusive subject in most of my works.
While working on this panel, which bears the name ‘Soul searching’, I realised that the coast was just a ‘location’ where I could isolate myself in solitude. Such unique moments that creates a profound sense of silence, and a surreal atmosphere, away from all distractions.
This body of work translates a scene of a presence that is unseen. Silence is invisible, yet I try to transmit that feeling through my images.
Working with minimal information allows my imagination to enhance and to create more options and perspectives.
Time is a luxury, this luxury to do nothing to just observe and experience the moment. It allows me to wonder off in my mind, and it is what inspired me to work in monochrome and long exposure.
This, for me is a means of escape in meditation in which I am searching for answers within myself. A constant search which may never find the answer, but I will simply feel more content with never knowing.
Another aspect of this panel is the visual absence of the human figure, but when you look closely, the human element is present all the time, and that which I am trying to escape from, is always preceding me.
A new form of beauty created by blending the human presence and his influence over the landscape, where the landscape becomes a hybrid.
It seems that anything manmade that endures in time, acquires the beauty of the natural and nature balances what humans alter.
This body of work is an invitation to the viewer to connect and be part of the artwork, an invitation to step into my vision. Keith Ellul

LIGHTROOM DIGITAL WORKFLOW – 5 LESSONS

Course Skill Level: BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE

DATES FOR NEXT INTAKES: Two intakes for 2024:

Summer Intake

  • Session 1: Tuesday 27th August 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
  • Session 2: Monday 2nd September 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
  • Session 3: Monday 9th September 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
  • Session 4: Thursday 12th September 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
  • Session 5: Monday 16th September 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm

Winter Intake

  • Session 1: Wednesday 13th November 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
  • Session 2: Wednesday 20th November 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
  • Session 3: Wednesday 27th November 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
  • Session 4: Wednesday 4th December 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm
  • Session 5: Wednesday 11th December 2024 from 6.30-8.30pm

MIPP’s face-to-face Adobe Lightroom workshop introduces students to the digital possibilities of image manipulation and file management. Education is key, but it should also be fun. We teach a user-friendly digital workflow that promotes efficiency and the comfort of knowing your images are organised and safely backed up.

Classes are limited to 8 places, so book your place today.

What to Bring?

• Bring your laptops and relevant charger, mouse or trackpad

• Adobe Lightroom Classic installed and updated to most up-to-date version

• External HARD DRIVE – if you own one

• We will provide you with a notepad and pen for notes

COURSE OUTLINE – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Week 1: Let’s Get Organised

Adobe Lightroom is an intuitive piece of software that really can save you time. However, there is some preliminary work that needs to be done for this to occur and this involves implementing a DAM system. What on earth are we talking about, you ask? Let’s organise our images in a manner that makes finding your images easy. This week we introduce you to the way a professional photographer manages their hundreds of thousands of images into a concise, logical, and systemised workflow, along with filtering results in preparation for editing.

Week 2: Technical meets Creative

What constitutes a “good photo?” This week we delve into image labelling and the architecture of the Develop Module, looking at the photograph from both a technical and creative perspective. Critical analysis is a key ingredient to growth, so what aspects can be enhanced to improve the overall aesthetic of the image? Looking at the various ways to manipulate the overall look using global adjustment tools related to white balance, brightness, contrast, shadows, highlights, histogram insights and colour just to name a few, this week we will explore that a little can go a long way.

Week 3: Advanced Tabs

This week we explore the well-engineered tools Lightroom has to offer, in making localised adjustments, changes to specific areas of an image. Further we look at colour manipulation including black and white conversion and the nuances associated with the graduation of tone. We employ an old darkroom technique called Dodge and Burn to influence the way an image is read. After all, we are the authors of the story that is being told.

Week 4: Streamlining

Today, we discover the beauty of synchronising and bulk adjustments. Time is money, regardless of whether photography is a hobby or a career. We continue with the creation of importing and editing presets to streamline the common or repetitive processes one develops when using postproduction software such as Lightroom.

Week 5: Publishing

Whether an image is destined for the web or for a vacant wall in someone’s living room, there are some crucial checks that need to be exercised just to ensure what you see on screen is what you are truly going to get. Today, we go through the soft proofing process, ensuring that the adjustments made are transferrable to paper. Once complete we prepare presets and develop your understanding of exporting your files and managing your edited images, bringing full circle back to the beginning, ready for your next shoot.

AMIPP 2020 – Amanda Hsu

Statement of Intent

This portrait series was created from 23 photo shoots with 23 selective models from different ethnicities in Europe with different skin tones. Each model was given the same outfit and the same instructions. The models were placed in a small, boxed and confined space. Metaphorically, it is the world we are living in. They were asked to think about the emotions such as stressed, depressed, worried, confused and anxious, and use their hands, arms and the face to express the emotions. They were given the opportunity in a place and time to freely express their own unique expressions. It’s to demonstrate individual human expression through different individual life experience and personality.