GPP Photo Week 2018, the annual photography festival organised by Gulf Photo Plus (GPP) will be held from February 7 to 12 at Concrete in Alserkal Avenue. Launched in 2004, the event is the first and longest running photography festival in the region and offers photography enthusiasts the opportunity to learn about the latest innovations and techniques from well-known experts in the field, and to connect with photographers from around the world. This year the theme is Shift Your Focus, encouraging participants to think about photography and the rapidly changing world around us in a new light and with a new lens.
Every year GPP Photo Week brings leading international photographers specialising in different facets of photography to Dubai to exhibit their work and to conduct workshops, seminars, and talks that are designed to help professional and amateur photographers develop their knowledge and skills. Well-known names slated to participate this year include wedding and documentary photographers Tasneem Alsultan and Kevin Mullins; fashion photographer Toufic Araman; portrait specialists Sara Lando and Nick Fancher; photojournalist Brian Smith; documentary photographers Maggie Steber and Tanya Habjouqa; and popular instructor RC Concepcion.
A highlight of GPP Photo Week is Sony PhotoFriday, to be held on February 9 this year. It features a line-up of 12 unique and inspiring seminars, talks, demonstrations and discussions covering both technical and conceptual elements of photography, led by renowned photographers.
Another fun and popular event is The ShootOut, on February 10, where three celebrity photographers will race against the clock in front of a live audience to create the best possible image in just 20 minutes based on a theme that will be revealed to them only when they walk on to the stage. As usual the winner will be decided by the audience.
A new element introduced in this 14th edition of GPP Photo Week is Portfolio Reviews. These will provide photographers and artists an opportunity to meet one on one with well-known photographers and industry experts and receive feedback and advice from them.
Throughout the week, visitors can get free hands-on experience of various genres of photography at Sony Snap Sessions, browse latest photography equipment and avail special discounts on photography gear.
Besides photography exhibitions presented by GPP Photo Week, several art spaces in Alserkal Avenue and the Al Quoz neighborhood have also organised shows by emerging and established photographers during this week. These will offer insights into the stories contemporary photographers want to tell, the themes that inspire them and the styles, techniques and technologies they are experimenting with.
“As Dubai’s only dedicated photography centre, GPP aims to nurture and develop the photography community in the UAE and the region through workshops, seminars and events that encourage learning and skill development. Our aim with GPP Photo Week is to create an accessible entry point into the world of photography for people from all backgrounds. We want to provide participants — whether they are professional or amateur photographers — a holistic photography experience, and an opportunity to engage with photography as an art form, while immersing themselves in Dubai’s burgeoning art scene and forging new connections with fellow photographers from around the world. The event continues to evolve and embrace new technologies and shifts within the medium, and this year’s theme reflects our desire to play our part in facilitating the dialogue around photography,” Mohamed Somji, co-director of GPP says.
Highlights of GPP Photo Week 2018:
Seminars and workshops:
Topics include Photography for beginners, Post processing techniques, Person and Persona — the creative side of the self-portrait, Develop your personal and long term projects, Conceptual photography with a twist - crafting illusions and creating other worldly places, Candid street photography, Post processing and special effects for photographers, Anatomy of a beauty and fashion shoot, Creating animated GIFs that rock, Art and business of wedding photojournalism, and Landscape photography editing in Lightroom and photoshop.
Sony PhotoFriday on February 9 from 10am to 6pm:
The programme includes 12 seminars, talks, discussions and demonstrations of 90 minutes each, divided into four time slots. Subjects include, The Power of Lightroom and Photoshop, Story-telling in wedding photography; Social media and offline versus online, The Mood of Light, Working without a studio and doing more with less; Finding your Niche in a Crowded Market, Portraits of the famous and infamous, and much more. Each session costs USD 15, with the offer of booking four sessions for the price of three.
The ShootOut on February 10, from 6.30pm to 8pm at Concrete:
Photographers Nick Fancher, known for his dramatic use of light and bold colours, renowned photographer and 2016 winner Zack Arias and his son Caleb Arias will compete to shoot and process the best possible photograph in 20 minutes on a theme revealed to them on the stage in front of a live audience. The event is free, but registration is a must.
Sony Snap Sessions:
These are free 90 minute sessions happening throughout the week where participants can enjoy a hands-on introduction to a photography genre of their choice. Topics include, Basics of Food Photography, Introduction to natural light portraiture, and Elements of automotive photography. The sessions will take place in the Sony Booth at Concrete throughout the week and early registration is advised.
Portfolio reviews by appointment on February 10, from 2pm to 4.50pm.
Shannon Ghannam, global education director for Magnum Photos; Teru Kuwayama, community manager for Instagram; and documentary photographers Tanya Habjouqa and Maggie Steber will be on hand to give participants professional feedback on their portfolios and advice on how to take their work further. For bookings and advice on how to prepare for the reviews go to the festival website.
Photo Walks:
Photographic trails led by well-known street photographers include Seeing Beyond the Grey, a walk around the Al Quoz industrial area with Hussain Al Moosawi where photography enthusiasts will learn to see beyond the industrial structures at elements of design, humorous street signs, stubbornly defiant trees and other interesting sights.
Special offers:
Participants can avail of free camera cleaning for Sony, Fuji, Nikon and Canon cameras, view displays of the latest photographic equipment and technology, and enjoy exclusive special offers on photography gear.
Art Programming:
Conversations with various photographic artists presenting exhibitions during GPP Photo Week, a round table discussion on Dwelling and Residue, and Slidefest Shift Your Focus edition.
Exhibitions:
-Souls Against the Concrete by New York based photographer and film maker Khalik Allah at Concrete features hauntingly beautiful portraits of street dwellers, shot with an analogue camera at night.
-Black to the Future | Reimagining Now by Osborne Macharia at Unit 61, Alserkal Avenue. Through his imaginative images, the Kenyan artist, who works in the genre of Afrofuturism, reimagines the lives of seven women, offering hope for a better future.
-Red Zone by Jalal Sepehr at The Yard. The Iranian artist’s photographs featuring Persian rugs set the stage for discussions about contemporary issues in this region.
-Beyond Here is Nothing by Laura El-Tantawy at GPP. The British artist of Egyptian origin portrays an intimate and emotive visual exploration of rootlessness.
-Shift Your Focus Community Show is a group exhibition at Nadi Al Quoz by members of photography clubs in the UAE such as the Analog UAE Photography Club, PhotoWalk Collective Dubai and the Emirates Group Photography Club.
-Interactive Instax installation by Chebmoha and Chndy at A4 Space
-Collaboration: Saudi Seen at Art Jameel presents the work of a new generation of photographers from Saudi Arabia.
-The Million Street by Yiannis Roussakis at FN Designs captures the annual Al Dhafra camel festival.
-Dhows from around the world at Mirzam Chocolate Makers is an exhibition of images of dhows from around the world curated by dhow race photographer Sue Johnston.
-Nose Art by French photographer Manolo Chrétien at MB&F M.A.D. Gallery features creative images of aircrafts.
-Drinkers of the Wind by Tariq Dajani at Showcase gallery celebrate the Arabian horse and hunting falcon.
-All Together Now at Total Arts at The Courtyard presents selected works by late Iranian film maker and photographer Abbas Kiarostami.
-Occupy at The Jam Jar will feature new work by visiting instructor RC Concepcion displayed in the gallery’s window.
Jyoti Kalsi is an arts-enthusiast based in Dubai.
For more information and registration visit http://www.gulfphotoplus.com/gpp2018. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter: @gulfphotoplus #gulfphotoplus
