Vancouver Photo Workshops Proudly Presents:

Internationally Acclaimed Photographer Mary Ellen Mark From New York City

In an exclusive, intimate 4 Day Workshop:

"Mary Ellen Mark: The World Observed"

October 12th to 15th, 2007

Vancouver Photo Workshops proudly announces a four day workshop, "Mary Ellen Mark: The World Observed" with internationally acclaimed photographer Mary Ellen Mark to be held from October 12th to October 15th, 2007. Set in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand your visual horizons under the guidance of one of the great masters in contemporary photography. Take part and experience a renewed sense of energy, inspiration and vitality in your photography.

MARY ELLEN MARK is one of the most respected and loved documentary photographers in the world. She was voted "Most Influential Woman Photographer" in a recent poll of American Photo readers.

Her photographs of world cultures, subcultures, and personalities are landmarks in the field. Mark has achieved worldwide visibility through her numerous photo-essays and portraits in such magazines as the New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Stern, Details, Allure, Rolling Stone, Vogue, US, Life, and the London Sunday Times Magazine.

VPW is very proud to have the opportunity to bring Mary Ellen Mark to Vancouver for what will be her first Workshop in our beautiful City. This workshop is an unparalleled opportunity for the Pacific Northwest photographer who has been interested in the many high caliber photography workshops on the east coast, but found the cost for travel and accommodation to be prohibitive. Since the workshop is being held at Vancouver Photo Workshops in Vancouver, B.C. our American participants will find that the added bonus of exchange rates will make this a real treat resulting in excess of 14% (at time of this writing) off all your expenses in Canada.

About the Artist: Mary Ellen Mark MARY ELLEN MARK is one of the most respected and loved documentary photographers in the world. Her photographs of world cultures, subcultures, and personalities are landmarks in the field. Mark has achieved worldwide visibility through her numerous photo-essays and portraits in such magazines as the New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Stern, Details, Allure, Rolling Stone, Vogue, US, Life, and the London Sunday Times Magazine. For almost three decades she has traveled extensively to make pictures that reflect a high degree of humanism. Mark, a socially committed photographer, who continues to make images of passion and integrity, has been the recipient of the Cornell Capa Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, ICP’s Infinity Award for Journalism, and three fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. Mark has published thirteen books including Falkland Road, Mother Teresa's Mission of Charity in Calcutta, A Cry for Help, Indian Circus, Mary Ellen Mark: 25 Years, American Odyssey, and Twins. Falkland Road was re-released in 2006 by Steidl with new, never before published images along with the classics originally featured. Her work is represented by Marianne Boesky gallery in NYC. She was voted "Most Influential Woman Photographer" in a recent poll of American Photo readers. She also acted as the associate producer of the major motion picture, AMERICAN HEART (1992), directed by, Martin Bell. Her most recent book, Exposure, is a large retrospective book published by Phaidon Press. It showcases 134 of Mary Ellen's best images, including both iconic and previously unpublished images. Aside from her book and magazine work Mark has photographed advertising campaigns among which are Barnes and Noble, British Levis, Coach Bags, Eileen Fisher, Hasselblad, Heineken, Keds, Mass Mutual, Nissan, and Patek Philippe. Visit her website for more information and to see her captivating photography: www.maryellenmark.com.

 

Workshop course decription provided by Mary Ellen Mark:

With Mary Ellen Mark, the students will explore contemporary trends in personal documentary photography and photojournalism. You will investigate human relationships, people’s desires, aspirations, and learn how to interpret social situations in many aspects of urban and rural cultures through photography.

The Workshop will begin with an in-depth look at the work of Mary Ellen Mark and fellow students from around the world. For this initial portfolio review, aach student should bring prints of their work which Mary Ellen will look at with the rest of the group. Prints should be roughly 8x10 up to 11x14 inches. Generally, it is recommended that each student bring between 20 and 30 images.

You will spend time shooting on the second and third days of the Workshop. Mary Ellen Mark will give out assignment topics for students to focus their shooting on. Topics come from your own interests and curiosity, with direction and encouragement from Mary Ellen. Working together, you will have the opportunity to grow and take risks within an understanding and supportive peer group. Throughout the four days Mary Ellen Mark will review your progress, discuss your career, techniques, approaches, and the themes within your work.

It is recommended to use C-41 BW film (Ilford XP2, Kodak TCN or Kodak Portra 400BW). The film will be processed over night. Mary Ellen will look at this work during daily reviews and critiques with the class.

Throughout the 4 day Workshop, Mary Ellen will show her work and talk about the images. This work may include images from Exposure, Falkland Road, and Twins. Depending on timing, Mary Ellen Mark may also show a few of the short films that she has worked on with her husband, Martin Bell.

On the final day, Mary Ellen Mark will talk about various aspects of working as a professional photographer (organization, technical needs, etc.) This aspect varies in topic depending on the classes interests and the individuals levels. A final critique and review of all images shot during the Workshop will also be part of the final day.

All Images © Mary Ellen Mark. To see more of her work click here to visit his website.

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Tuition for the workshop is $1795 Cdn (equivalent to approximately $1500 US at time of this writing) plus 6% GST (refundable to residents of the U.S.).

If you are travelling to Vancouver for this workshop, please be sure to contact us as we would like to offer our help in finding and booking travel and accomodation arrangements.

Registration and Payment Instructions:

If full payment is received on or before July 1st, 2007, the particpant will receive a discount of $100 Cdn of the total workshop tuition fee!!

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to hold a seat in this Workshop. You can use our secure online registration system to leave this deposit using Visa/Mastercard. The balance is due by September 1st.

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