Snap up your place on the music photography workshop

Budding snappers who want to impress the judges of this year’s Worcester Music Festival photography competition have the chance to learn a few tricks of the trade at a free masterclass this month.

The workshop takes place on Sunday, August 23 between 1pm and 4pm at Worcester Arts Workshop and is the chance for beginner and intermediate photographers to brush up their skills before the music celebration from September 18-20.

With just 30 places available, participants will not only receive invaluable expert advice, but will have three local bands and artists to practice on, the line-up will be The Loved and Lost, Stuart Woolfenden and Martin Thorne Trio.

Co-ordinator and accomplished gig photographer Mark Hoy, who has been one of the competition judges for four years, said: “Gig photography is one of the most challenging fields in photography as you have almost no control of your subject matter, the lighting or angles.

“There will be technical stuff, but the emphasis will be on taking photos in different conditions, when to use and not use the flash, tips on where to stand and what to look for, etiquette, and the chance to get feedback.

“To take part, you don’t need an SLR, but please bring your camera manual if you are unsure of how to work your camera, and we can help you change your camera settings at the workshop. Also, if participants have an external flash, it would be useful to bring it along.”

With a first prize of a £100 gift voucher for a camera store courtesy of main festival sponsor Child Care Bureau, the photography competition itself invites photographers of all ages and abilities to submit images they have taken over the festival weekend, from action shots of a gig to audiences enjoying themselves.

If you are keen to snap bands, there’s no shortage of eye-popping subject matter on offer for entrants, with around 250 acts on the bill, from acclaimed punk poet Attila the Stockbroker, who has appeared at every Glastonbury since 1983, to psychedelic outfit Vienna Ditto, who recently featured on BBC 6 Music.

The top 25 photographs will be chosen shortly after the festival, with the winner and runners up announced at a post festival awards ceremony. To register your free place at the workshop (1-4pm), visit worcestermusicfestival.co.uk/photoworkshop or email photo@worcestermusicfestival.co.uk with your name, email address and camera make / model, specifying if it’s a compact or a dSLR. Book early to avoid disappointment.

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