Vancouver Photo Workshops proudly presents an intensive 2 day weekend workshop, "How to Photograph Everything" with internationally acclaimed photographer Ralph Gibson.

This will be the 6th Workshop that VPW has hosted with Ralph, and the first ever that will place in Toronto, Ontario!

This is one of the most exclusive workshops VPW has ever created.

The workshop will be held at the 5 star historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto. This hotel has been the residence of choice for Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Canadian Royal Family when in Toronto. Students are welcome to stay at the hotel during the workshop, or choose to find accomodation elsewhere.

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.

Mr. Ralph Gibson is a master of dramatic understatement.

His high-contrast pictures - usually focusing on one geometric element (the corner of a room) or a single human gesture (the curve of a hand) - form a kind of dream-narrative when gathered together.

Or, as Mr. Gibson puts it:

"I embrace the abstract in photography and exist on a few bits of order extracted from the chaos of reality."

Workshop descriptions provided by Ralph Gibson:

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I had the great fortune to be friends with Andre Kertesz and through the years he gave me many interesting bits of advice.

I recall one particular visit to his apartment overlooking Washington Square. As I arrived he was busy shooting still life images in the apartment.

He said; "I see new things every day. A photographer must learn how to photograph everything!"

Well, this idea has been very much with me throughout the years and I am continually attempting to expand my palette of subject matter.

For this reason I think this workshop should be called " How to photograph everything"

All forms of subject matter will be divided into four categories.

1. Architecture.
2. The Nude.
3. Portraiture and
4. The Photo Sequence.

Within this matrix all forms of subject matter may be examined.

The workshop will also include portfolio reviews as well as discussion of work made during the workshop. I learned a lot from Andre and now, many years later, he continues to inspire my approach to the medium.

Ralph Gibson
New York City

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The 2 days will consist of a number of opportunities to advance your skills and shape your unique vision. You'll be inspired to break into new visual territory, and create images you’ll be proud to add to your portfolio.

There will be shooting sessions with models, both in-studio and on-location using natural and artificial light. Weather permitting, there will be a shooting session focusing on architecture and street photography. Mr. Gibson will demonstrate how to sequence images and even how to get started laying out a book of photogphs.

Portfolio reviews of participants work created both prior and during the workshop will be ongoing throughout the 2 days.

Please come prepared with a minimum of 8 images from your previous work. Prints are preferred, but Mr. Gibson will also be able to view and critique digiatl images (jpg foprmat preferred).

In previous workshops, students have raved about their experience with Mr. Gibson, calling the workshop "...a life changing experience".

This workshop is open to both film and digital photographers shooting in black and white and/or color. It is suitable for all experience levels.

Check out this small video about Ralph Gibson:

Ralph Gibson is one of the most influential and well-known photographers alive today.

His images are part of the permanent collections of many of the most important institutions in the world including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and San Francisco, The Whitney Museum and the Smithsonian Institute.

A renowned lecturer and instructor, Mr. Gibson's workshops are immediate sell-outs around the world. Former participants have raved about their experiences, and agree that their vision and photography skills have improved dramatically

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION
1967-68: Assistant to Robert Frank
1961-62: Assistant to Dorthea Lange
1960-62: San Francisco Art Institute
1956-60: Studied photography, U.S. Navy

AWARDS
2011 FOTOmentor Lifetime Award, Palm Beach Photographic Center
2007 The Lucie Award
2002 Appointed, Commandeur de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de France
1999 Silver Plum Design Trust for Public Space
1997 Doctor of Fine Arts, Ohio Wesleyan University
1994 Grand Medal of the City of Arles, France
1991 Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, University of Maryland
1989 Eastman Kodak Grant to photography, “L’Histoire de France ”
“150 Years of Photography” Award, Photographic Society of Japan
1988 Leica Medal of Excellence Award
1986 Decorated, Officier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de France
National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship
1985 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship
1977 D.A.A.D West Berlin, Germany
C.A.P.S., New York State Council of the Arts Fellowship
1975 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship
1973 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship
Called “a poet of the ordinary” by the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Carter’s haunting, enigmatic photographs have been widely exhibited in Europe, The U.S., and Latin America.

Visit Mr Gibson's website for more information and to view his famous images:

www.ralphgibson.com

Level:

Basic photography knowledge required.

Enrollment:

Maximum 12 participants.

Equipment Needed:

Bring your film or digital SLR camera (must have manual controls) and at least 1 lens.
Optional: additional lenses, camera flash, tripod or laptop.

We Provide:

Individual portfolio reviews by Mr. Ralph Gibson. All models, equipment and location fees for thye shooting sessions. Course content as outlined above.

If you must withdraw for any reason please be aware of our refund policy as follows:

For our Local Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops valued at or under $100, VPW is unable to provide a cash refund. Transfers are limited to one transfer to either the same event at a later date, or a different event of equal value. VPW requires 48 hours written notice in order to make such a transfer (email notice is acceptable). The event you are transferring to must occur within 6 months of the original event you registered for. A $15 fee will be applied to all transfers.

For our Local Workshops, 1 to 5 days in length and our Local 4 to 10 Week Courses, VPW requires 30 days written notice (before the event start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. (Email notice is acceptable.)

For our Master Photographer Series workshops, 1 to 5 days in length, VPW requires 60 days written notice (before the workshop start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. VPW may retain 15% of fees paid or $150 minimum in processing your refund. If the tuition is less than $500 the minimum fee drops to $75.

For our Photo Tours (both in Canada and abroad), 1 to 10 days in length, VPW requires 60 days written notice (before the event start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. VPW may retain 15% of fees paid or $150 minimum in processing your refund. If the tuition is less than $500 the minimum fee drops to $75.

Transfers (for all events over $100): If you wish to transfer to a different workshop date, VPW requires a minimum of 30 days written (email) notice. All transfers are based on availaibility, and subject to approval by VPW staff. For courses/workshops with tuition above $101, the transfer fee is $35.

Transfer Fees as based on event pricing:
Tuition of $100 and below, the transfer fee is $15
Tuition of $101 and above, the transfer fee is $35

VPW can give no refunds:

If you registered for any event valued at or under $100
If you do not show up for your registered course.
If you register for a course beyond or below your skill or ability level.

Refunds for all events valued at $101 and above (excluding Master Series Workshops):
If a student wishes to cancel their registration for any of VPW's events, and has provided written notice within the appropriate timeframe, a refund less a $50 administration fee will be provided.

Course Cancellation:

Occasionally, we may have to cancel a course due to low enrollment. In this case, we will issue a full refund of all monies paid to VPW up to that time.

Read complete refund and liability policy