The Program
So you want to be a rock photographer?
Here’s an opportunity to learn from one of the very best in the business – Oli Sansom, in an environment where you have a continuous flow of artists at your beck and call (within reason of course).
The Art of Rock Photography is a week long photography program for teenage photographers keen to learn and develop their skills in photographing live music.
The Art of Rock Photography will run from Sunday, January 12th – Friday, January 17th, 2020, and will run in every school holidays as a companion program to Rock Academy.
You get to live the life for a week with a variety of bands, shooting them on stage, in rehearsal, out of the streets, while their creative inspiration takes flight and during their down time.
Walk the local area and discover amazing backdrops for your photography. Learn about the intricacies of seeing light, of composition, of editing and creating your own voice under the mentorship and guidance of one of Australia’s leading live performance photographers.
Working with the bands at Rock Academy Melbourne you have subjects on hand from guitarists, singers, drummers and pianists to practice with, it all about how to make a band look great, helping establish their presence and vibe.
In January 2020 there are additional sessions and an extra gig to shoot, to build your portfolio and experience.
Oli will take you through your paces on Sunday and set you projects to complete each day and then via a collaborative space provide you with specific feedback and advice on improving and developing your skills.
Only 5 places available, so be quick!
Just $500 incl. GST
Your Mentor
Oli is an award-winning photographer and director.
When not documenting scientists in Antarctica or lecturing on creative thinking all around the globe, he’s directing music videos and photographing local artists in his home town of Melbourne, with a keen eye for the softer, story-driven moments that are often given less visibility against the more obvious.
Having cut his teeth covering acts from Dizzee Rascal to Josh Pyke, Oli more recently has been involved in producing music videos from homegrown talent crossing the Paper Kites to Briggs, and is part-way through a project exploring the polarity between the regular jobs worked by musicians who then morph into otherworldly characters across different genres.
Oli’s Work
Venues
Rehearsals – Bakehouse Studios
The Art of Rock Photography program is staged at Bakehouse Studios in Richmond.
This is a cool and arty joint which has an awesome local area and individually designed rehearsal rooms that are used by the likes of Paul Kelly, Jet, Tool, Elvis Costello, Nick Cave, The Cat Empire and Dan Sultan – just to name a few! The place is a great community and you will be welcomed with open arms!
Around the corner is the well known Victoria Street with its array of alleys and interesting areas to use as a backdrop to find just the right shot.
Located centrally in Richmond it is close to North Richmond train station as well as tram and bus stops.
27-29 Hoddle Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121
(entry from Little Hoddle St near Elizabeth St)
Find more at their website: http://bakehousestudios.com.au
Performance Night – Central Club Hotel
The culmination of the program is to photograph the live show, giving rise to all the practise and development of the rehearsals.
Rock Academy’s Performance Night sees each band perform their music live at the Central Club Hotel in front of family and friends showcasing their amazing skills. Your role is to capture the essence of the night of the performers and their families,
The Central Club Hotel in Richmond has been the home to great Aussie rock gigs for decades and we are lucky enough to have it as a backdrop.
On Friday evening, the performance is open to your family and friends to join in and be entertained and to watch you at work.
Make a night of it and have dinner and drinks before the show.