Les McLean Street Photography
Toronto Pride Street Photography with Les McLean
June 26 through 29th 2008
Photographs from this Workshop will be used To benefit AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) through SNAP!
The Toronto Gay Pride event is recognised as one of the biggest of its' kind in the world and offers a wide range of interesting and colourful photographic opportunities. Whilst this is a great benefit, it also presents a range of challenging and changing possibilities brought about by the number and diversity of events there to be photographed. Consequently, this workshop will not follow the normal pattern of starting early morning and continuing through to early evening before ending the day's photography.
After consultation with the Toronto Pride office I have prepared a program that includes a range of differing and interesting events where meaningful images can be made. However, because of the diversity we can choose to change venues and events with relative ease should the need arise. Elevator have secured Press accreditation which will give us access to photographic opportunities not normally available, including access beyond the barriers during the main parades on Saturday and Sunday. Because of the wide range of lighting conditions we will be working in I'd suggest that those using film bring 400ISO although I'd strongly suggest that we all consider using digital cameras. Wide angle and telephoto lens not longer than about 200mm should be adequate for this event. Please also be prepared to photograph in inclement weather, when sometimes the best images are made.
An integral part of the workshop will be the exploration of attendees photographic aims as well guidance in the preparation of portfolios and other cohesive bodies of work. Consequently, we will spend some time each day reviewing work done on the previous day as well as looking at other work made before this workshop therefore attendees are asked to bring along a small portfolio of not more than eight prints or images on the first day of the workshop.
WorkshopProgram
DAY ONE: Thursday 26th
- 3.00pm - 5.00pm: Meet at Elevator for introductions, preview of the workshop and short critique of previous work.
- 5.00pm - 6.30pm: Travel to central Toronto with short break for refreshments.
- 6.30pm - 8.30pm: Melody Bar in Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street. W. for "Tomboyfriends and Histrionics." Pride event.
- 8.30pm - 10.00pm: "Aids Candlelight Vigil." Pride event. Cawthra Square Park 519 Church Street.
DAY TWO: Friday 27th
- 12.00am - 1.00pm: Meet at Elevator to review previous days work.
- 1.00pm - 2.00pm: Travel to central Toronto with short break for refreshments.
- 2.00pm - 6.00pm: "Hot. Sexy. Cut just right .... and the underwear is pretty fabulous too" Pride event at Main floor of The Bay 44 Bloor Street.
- 6.00pm onward (optional) "A Starry Night" Pride event beside 519, live music in the park with a beer if you wish. The bartenders promise to be interesting subjects.
DAY THREE: Saturday 28th
- 10.00am - 11.30am: Meet at Elevator to review previous days work.
- 11.30am - 12noon: Travel to Central Toronto
- 12 noon - 3.00pm: Photograph the assembling of the Dykes March at Hayden Street and end at Wood Street
DAY FOUR: Sunday 29th
- 10.30am - 11.30am: Meet at Elevator to review previous days work.
- 12noon: - 2.00pm: Photograph preparations for the start of the Parade
This year we've chosen one of if not the most theatrical, dramatic and fun times of the year to hold this street shooting class. The Pride Workshop covers 4 days and nights and offers the flexibility of either booking on a daily basis or taking part in the whole event.
Helping the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) through SNAP!
Framed and matted 20" x 30" photographs from this workshop will be included in an auction to benefit ACT in October this year. The auction will be sponsored by Elevator and supported by SNAP! and ACT. SNAP! is a photographic fundraiser created by ACT with the proceeds going directly to help deliver free programs and services to people living with, affected by, and or at risk for HIV/AIDS. In addition, SNAP! hosts one of the biggest and most lively photo based art auctions in the country.
The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) delivers responsive, effective, and valued community-based HIV support services and education, prevention, outreach and fundraising programs that promote the health, well-being, worth and rights of individuals and communities living with, affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS.
The logistics of photographing such a large and busy event are such that we have to ask you to cooperate with the following requirements.- If using film you are responsible for processing and providing a CD of not more than 50 jpeg images for the following mornings review.
- Digital images should be made in RAW files for submission for the subsequent exhibition but not more than 50 jpegs to be available for the following mornings preview.
- You will note that there are some events listed in the program that carry on late into the evening but these are optional and attendees can leave for home at any time. You will be required to attend one main photographic event each day.
- In order to keep in contact should the group become separated please be prepared to exchange cell phone numbers.
Les McLean is an internationally known photographer, teacher and printer who has had many years experience in leading street photography workshops including the Gay Pride event held every year in Brighton, England. Perhaps his most demanding photographic assignment was the two years spent on the streets of strife torn Belfast in Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles when he concentrated on showing how the children of the city dealt with the situation. More about Les McLean can be found here.