Xposure 2017 Lights up New Perspective for Photography Enthusiasts

Experts and award-winning photographers from across the globe graced the second edition of the International Photography Festival, Xposure 2017, being organised by Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) at Expo Centre Sharjah. The event saw a host of workshops hosted by world renowned photographers and artists and attended by photography enthusiasts, including amateurs, professionals and aspiring photographers from the UAE and beyond.

The workshops introduced the participants to an array of concepts from intricacies of camera functions to the deeper understanding of location photo-shoots. The experts took several questions by participants and helped them develop the right perspective and refine their skills besides gaining a deeper understanding of photography as an art.

The Location Lighting Workshop, conducted by Rick Friedman, a well-known photojournalist and photo-educator, offered participants a hands-on experience of location lighting, as needed for portraits, events and corporate photography. The workshop station turned into a live photo studio as aspiring photographers clicked on-the-spot pictures to understand the use of reflectors and how they can make a difference in the final output. The intensive and dynamic full-day workshop addressed the queries of professionals as well as serious amateurs who wanted to develop their knowledge of location lighting.

Another workshop ‘Get Off Auto’ was conducted by Alan Ranger, the UK-based professional photographer and a photography tutor, who is also a five-time winner of the Landscape Photographer of the Year award. This introductory class for beginners and amateur photographers aimed at acquainting the participants with new skills and techniques for better photography. The in-depth session encouraged the aspiring photographers to get off automatic mode and start using more creative ways to expose images.

Explaining the need to not shoot in automatic exposure mode, he said, “In automatic exposure or auto mode, the camera controls all the technical and creative elements of the machine (camera). We must start exploring the options and settings of the camera to come up with creative and beautiful images. There are different modes that one can set the camera in, but in all these modes, the camera is making the decision on how to expose the image, the photographer really is just pointing and shooting and hoping that the camera gets it ‘right’.”

In this interactive workshop, Ranger explained the essentials of photography, the concepts to develop a creative eye and detailed use of camera operations. The workshop discussed a range of topics from the aperture, to the focus, and from shutter speed to ISO settings.

Xposure 2017, which runs till November 25, is hosting various such workshops to ignite the creativity and help make available expert knowledge from successful photographers at one venue. The workshops, covering an array of skills and knowledge, will include location photography, street photography, aerial photography, product photography, underwater photography and photo archiving, among other genres. The workshops on advanced photography techniques are tailored specifically for professional photographers.

The inspiring options of workshops will also include specific techniques, such as camera focus and key elements of picture content. Workshops themed Studio Lighting Essentials, Light and Amendments, and Long Exposure and Port Processing, are also on the agenda.

Those interested in registering for the event and learning more about the Festival, its agenda, seminars and workshops, may visit www.xposure.ae/workshops and follow updates through social networking platforms by using #xposurexpf.