CITYCO, Manchester’s city centre management company, has teamed up with Northern Quarter based Manchester Photographic, the biggest photography school in Britain, to run a series of waterways-themed photography courses this summer.
The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in photography and who wants to capture scenes along Manchester’s urban waterways.
The three-hour Urban Canal photography course will take photographers on a canal-side trail from Piccadilly Basin to Castlefield, and will run from May through to July. The course is designed to encourage people to learn new photographic skills through shooting some of Manchester’s industrial heritage, magnificent architecture, wildlife, bridges, locks and railways. People will be able to capture this ever changing backdrop and be part of documenting Manchester’s rich history along the Rochdale Canal in Manchester city centre.
Working within a group, students will learn about exposure and shutter speeds, distance and focus length, how to identify and use the natural surroundings and everyday objects to enhance the overall shot, add interest and drama.
As part of CityCo’s Open City campaign, a photography competition will run in tandem with the course. This is being run in partnership with CityCo, Manchester Photographic, Fuji and Hahnemuhle. The best images will be judged by leading photographers with a Manchester connection including Andy Fallon, Ian Tilton and Mike Rampton.
The 40 finalists will have the opportunity to have their work exhibited in Manchester Photographic’s new Dale Street gallery from Saturday 18 – Sunday 26 August 2012, and the photographs will be printed on top quality Hahnemuhle fine art paper to be presented to the finalists.
The top ten will have their names attached to the projected images and will also win a 2 hour master class Fuji Experience with Andy Fallon. The over-all winner will also receive the ultimate travel companion, a 16-megapixel, Fuji F600 camera worth £320 as well as seeing their image displayed in the gallery as a 1 x 1.5 meter image print.
The finalists will also have their images projected onto a giant outdoor screen in the Piccadilly Basin on 22 and 23 August, during an evening celebration as part of The Canal Festival 2012. The festival will be celebrated in Manchester city centre for the first time this summer.
The course is suitable for anyone with an interest in photography and who wants to capture scenes along Manchester’s urban waterways. The course is open to anyone over the age of 16 and any type of digital camera can be used from a camera phone to a DSLR. Aspects of the course will take place outside so suitable clothing and sensible footwear should be worn.
Entry is free for attendees of the Urban Canal photography course. Up to four images can be submitted person and there is a £5 administration fee per image for those who have not attended the course. Photographs must be taken of the waterways between Piccadilly basin and Castlefield.
For full competition details, prizes and closing date visit www.manchesterphotographic.com.
