Ilford in focus: exploring street photography
A free six-week street photography course for Redbridge residents aged 18+. Please ensure you are able to commit to all six weeks before signing up for this course – it is important that you attend all six sessions as a selection of the work produced during the course will be exhibited in the gallery at SPACE Ilford in January 2025. Places are limited to 8 people. Participants will be given disposable Ilford cameras to use throughout the course. However, you are also welcome to bring your own camera to the sessions.
About the course
Immerse yourself in the art of street photography in the historically rich streets of Ilford, under the expert guidance of Gerald Marie-Nelly, also known in the photography community as Mister Geez.
This unique workshop is designed to teach you the technical skills of street photography as well as exploring the essence of visual storytelling through your lens. Join us for an extraordinary journey through Ilford, a place of paramount significance in the history of photography, thanks to the pioneering contributions of the Ilford company to film photography.
To sign up for this 6 week course, email daniel@spacestudios.org.uk with your:
- FULL NAME
- EMAIL ADDRESS
- POSTCODE
- PHONE NUMBER
PLEASE CHECK ALL THE COURSE DETAILS BELOW BEFORE SIGNING UP, AND ENSURE YOU ARE ABLE TO COMMIT TO ALL 6 SESSIONS.
Course outline with dates and times:
Session 1 – Foundations
Saturday 25 May, 11am – 2pm
(A black & white disposable camera will be given to all participants at the start of the session (Ilford HP5 PLUS with Flash, 27 exposures))
- Photography history and exposure concepts at SPACE
- Street photography session around Ilford
- Debriefing back at SPACE
Session 2 – Composing your image
Saturday 1 June, 11am – 2pm
- Composition theory at SPACE
- Street photography session around Ilford
- Editing session back at at SPACE
Session 3 – The art of street photography, part 1
Saturday 8 June, 11am – 2pm
- Different styles of street photography, part 1 at SPACE
- Street photography session around Ilford
- Editing session back at SPACE
(All participants to hand in their black & white Ilford disposable cameras with no exposures left by the end of session 3.)
— Break (no workshop on Saturday 15 June) —
Assignment during the break:
All participants to go out on their own for at least one hour (all photos need to be taken in Ilford/Redbridge and in the street).
Session 4 – The art of street photography, part 2
Saturday 22 June, 11am – 2pm
(A colour disposable camera will be given to all participants at the start of the session (Ilford Ilfocolor Rapid Retro with Flash, 27 exposures))
- Different styles of street photography, part 2 at SPACE
- Street photography session around Ilford
- Editing session back at SPACE
- Look at the photos taken during the assignment week
Session 5 – The craft of editing
Saturday 29 June 11am – 2pm
- How to edit your photos at SPACE
- Street photography session around Ilford
- Editing session at SPACE
All participants to hand in their colour Ilford disposable cameras with no exposures left by the end of session 5.
Session 6 – The craft of sequencing
Saturday 6 July 11am – 2pm
All photos from disposable cameras scanned and available for editing and sequencing.
- How to sequence your photos for an exhibition at SPACE
- Street photography session around Ilford
- Sequencing session at SPACE
Additional information
Duration and schedule
Join us for an immersive journey spread over six Saturdays, with each session lasting from 11am to 2pm. This schedule is crafted to accommodate the dynamic light and life of Ilford’s streets, providing ample opportunities for capturing its unique stories. When you sign up for this course, you must be able to commit to all 6 sessions.
Limited enrolment
To ensure a personalised and in-depth learning experience, the workshop is limited to 8 participants. This intimate setting fosters a close-knit learning environment, encouraging interaction and personalised feedback from the instructor.
Camera requirements
Participants are encouraged to bring their own cameras to fully engage with the workshop’s practical aspects. Whether you own a DSLR, mirrorless, or a vintage film camera, all are welcome to partake in this photographic journey. However, if you do not have a camera of your own, disposable cameras will be provided for you to use throughout the course.
Disposable cameras
Embracing the spontaneity and charm of street photography, Ilford disposable cameras will be provided in two of the sessions. This will challenge participants to capture compelling narratives within the constraints of limited exposures, echoing the practices of many street photography pioneers while celebrating Ilford and its legacy.
Your instructor
Hailing from Martinique and currently based in London, Gerald Marie-Nelly aka Mister Geez is a visual artist propelled by a passion for observation and an insatiable hunger for knowledge. Through the art of street photography, he explores the intricate tapestry of human experiences, capturing the multifaceted layers of urban life in cities. Drawing inspiration from his Caribbean roots and experiences in bustling metropolises, his work is mainly based on exploring human spaces and interactions. With his roots in documentary photography evident in his Haiti-based ‘Ahadepa project’, his latest project Inner Child Playground released in 2023 stands as the whimsical debut instalment of the London Street Chronicles series. This collection delves into various facets of the city, its identities, and the collective experiences of its inhabitants.
Mister Geez crafts his visual narratives from his creative space at SPACE Ilford, where he continues to explore and document the ever-evolving urban landscape. Join him for an immersive journey into the art of street photography, where each frame is a window on the world’s untold stories.
Instagram: @same_ol_geez
