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XPOSURE 2016, Sharjah’s first International Photography Festival initiated by Sharjah Media Centre (SMC) under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, concluded today at Expo Centre Sharjah. Visitors, including professional and aspiring photographers, were treated to a host of workshops and seminars, including a live demonstration of Ambrotype photography using the world’s largest camera.
The final day of XPOSURE 2016 opened with internationally acclaimed fine art photographer and Europe’s best-selling wildlife photographer David Yarrow offering a keynote presentation titled ‘The Lens Looks Both Ways'. Yarrow, whose images are among the most sought-after in the industry, shared professional insights on how to succeed as a photographer in an era of content overload.
Yarrow said: “Wildlife photography is a relentless journey. It is about proximity, not the camera alone. I try to incorporate the metaphorical into what is essentially literal, drawing from other genres of photography such as fashion.”
“It is a privilege for me to be part of the inaugural XPOSURE, meeting and exchanging notes with other top photographers such as Don McCullin, whose name often figures in my speeches,” he added.
Ian Ruhter’s seminar, ‘The World’s Largest Camera’ served as the highlight of the closing day’s events. In this segment, Ruhter’s attempts to create the world’s largest Ambrotypes culminated with a live-stage demonstration using the world’s largest camera. Ruhter, whose efforts to create large-sized visuals using the wet plate collodion technique earned him the sobriquet ‘The Alchemist’, travels the world with his giant camera he fondly calls a ‘Time Machine’.
Meanwhile, Anaïs Conijn, Exhibitions Manager and Curator - World Press Photo, hosted ‘The Digital Exhibition Tour’, a slide show of select images by the winners of World Press Photo’s photography contest. Apart from providing detailed background information and anecdotal stories from the photographers, Conijn spoke about photojournalism and the importance of press freedom.
A 30-minute seminar titled ‘Optimising Colours’ hosted by Niels V. Knudsen, Image Quality Professor - Phase One, offered a preview of his workshop held later in the day. Knudsen is highly acclaimed for his breakthrough advancements in image quality both in Phase One’s medium format camera systems and in its digital imaging software. In his workshop titled ‘Working in RAW’, Knudsen explored in depth the practical concepts for modern photographers to enhance and optimise RAW workflow.
Claes Axstål, known for his technical innovations in the field of illuminating aircraft, boats and other large objects in their natural environment using powerful and purpose-built photo-flash-system, demonstrated his cutting-edge CMP A-System for Airborne Flash Photography in his seminar aptly titled ‘Challenge the Sun’.
‘Moments in Time’ hosted by Slovenian multi-specialist visual artist Beno Saradzic provided insights into his own fields of specialty. A Canon Explorer for Europe and MENA countries, Saradzic is a renowned time-lapse cinematographer, director, producer and editor, as well as a conceptual and pre-visualisation 3-D artist.
In his seminar titled ‘Timeless Imagery’, filmmaker and photographer Abdelrahman Gabr spoke about his driving passion that allows him to push the boundaries of this craft. He also discussed how adopting a diverse and creative approach to outdoor adventure photography changed his own perspective about life.
Erik Almas’ award-winning images for top clients, including Microsoft, Toyota, Nike, Puma, Pfizer, Harley-Davidson and Hilton Hotels, are among the most aesthetically produced in the industry. In a seminar titled ‘The Evolution of an Intriguing Style’, Almas addressed the collective professional curiosity about his methods and processes.
The agony and ecstasy of street photography were explored at length at an interactive session with leading photojournalists and street photographers, including Tom Stoddart from Getty Reportage, Muhammed Muheisen from Associated Press, Vineet Vohra from Art Photo Feature and documentary photographer Gabriela Maj, in a session titled ‘Street Life’.
In addition to the seminars, the concluding day featured workshops, including a masterclass titled ‘Ultimate Headshot’ by Rob Gilberts. Photography aspirants had the opportunity to receive feedback and advice from industry experts and world-class professional photographers with extensive experience in varied genres of photography.
XPOSURE 2016 concluded with a gala award ceremony held at Al Majaz Amphitheatre to felicitate the winners of the photography competitions held as part of the event.
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