Previous
Newsletters |
| March 2007 |
|
Dear photography aficionados, I am
happy and thrilled to announce that a date has been set for the
next M Vision Atelier; April 27th through 29th. Is there
a better way to thaw the creative juices and welcome spring? For this edition of the Atelier, I am honored and humbled to welcome Michel Gravel and Jean-Francois Gratton. These two photographers have each followed quite different professional paths. What unites them is a common unbridled passion for rangefinder photography in general and Leica in particular. The Atelier is open to participants who mostly use rangefinder cameras. Silver halide and silicon are equally welcome. It is a not-for-profit endeavor. The $325 fee covers film, photofinishing, equipment rental, meals and our instructors’ remuneration. Michel Gravel and Jean-Francois Gratton, two Montreal-based photographic luminaries, will offer coaching and inspiration. Both share enviable track records built on unique visions. What follows is a sampling of the accomplishments and contributions of our two guest photographers:
Michel Gravel got started as a sport news photographer in 1955, gradually becoming a familiar face on the Montreal news scene. Later, he started freelancing at Le Devoir, The Toronto Star and The Montreal Gazette. He became a staff photographer at The Gazette in 1960, where he completed his “on the job” training as a professional news photographer.
In 1965 he started at La Presse where he achieved the bulk of his work as a photojournalist, covering and documenting major events on the national and international scene. However, Montreal and it’s people are what Michel really developed a passion for, as evidenced in his photographs of the daily life of the sprawling city.
Michel Gravel reluctantly took his retirement in 2005 after more than half a century working as press photographer, forty years of which were at La Presse Over the years, Michel received over eleven photojournalism prizes. He was also chosen as Press Photographer of the year by The Montreal Press Photographer association. For Michel Gravel, who enjoys watching and photographing the ordinary events of daily life, a photograph is a way of communicating this enjoyment. This comes through in his photographs which are honest and impartial. His technique is simple and modest but at the same time his photographs are strong and passionate. This is very clear in his photos.
Jean-François Gratton, became a photographer after completing his studies in cinema at Concordia university. He then works in the music and film industries and, gradually, starts building a reputation as an advertising photographer, providing acclaimed work for some of Montreal’s prestigious advertising agencies. In 1997 he heads for Santa Fe, New Mexico to study in the new field of digital photography. Upon returning to Montréal, he rapidly becomes a pioneer in this new medium. Since then, he is considered a reference source in this field.
In
2002 Jean-Francois creates Alt-6, a Quebec based image bank and
virtual gallery web site, featuring the works of contemporary photographers. The work of Jean-Francois has received much praise and recognition since 1999. He has been awarded several Grand Prix from Lux, a project that specializes in covering the professional photo scene in Quebec.
Michel and Jean-Francois will kindle or rekindle your interest in photography. Their passion is infectious, their experience and drive unparalleled. The workshop will explore photography as both a powerful and creative means of self-expression. The workshop will look at how we see and how we present this vision to others. Through group discussion, photographic exercises and friendly critiques, we will be encouraged to define and refine our vision. The building block concepts of place, happening and purpose will be looked at from a photojournalistic perspective. We will learn how to develop our own photo essay. Workshop nuts and bolts:
Tentative schedule: Friday, April 27, 11:00
Saturday, April 28
Sunday, April 29
I believe that it is 50% of what makes an M camera great. Its uniqueness lies in elegant simplicity: look through the viewfinder and see an undisturbed image of life! Nothing is dramatized nor distorted. Unlike an SLR, there is no compression and no skewed wide-angle view. Your vision and your purpose are paramount? The
Atelier is a nonprofit endeavor. Fees cover film, photofinishing,
equipment rental, meals, and our instructors’ remuneration.
It is meant to be a gathering of photo enthusiasts and rangefinder
photography aficionados. Our purpose is to explore different ways,
styles, and applications to capture our unique way of seeing. (It’s
also a lot of fun!) Always
looking forward to your comments. Photographically
yours, Jean
Bardaji |
