May is officially Photo Month, making this the perfect time to seek out some school trips all about photography, filming, imagery and camera work.
1. Get hands-on with digital photography
The V&A in London runs a multitude of workshops for schools ranging from Graphic Design to Fashion & Textiles. A Graphics workshop, for up to 30 Secondary school students at one time, looks at examples of design and typography then uses experimental techniques combined with digital photography to respond to a brief back in the V&A studio. This workshop is available on selected dates, however, teachers are welcome to discuss alternative visiting times.
2. Discover what it’s like to work in the film industry
NST runs Media & Film Studies trips at home and abroad; destinations include London, Berlin and Disneyland Paris. Try a school trip to the UK’s capital and visit attractions such as the London Film Museum or take part in City Academy Workshops – these look at what it’s like to work in the film industry, and can instruct on storyboarding, cinematography, camera, lighting and sound.
3. Take a self-guided exhibition tour in NYC
Taking your class to New York any time soon? Make a stop at the International Center of Photography (ICP), a leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Visitors are encouraged to explore photography and visual culture as ‘mediums of empowerment’. Workshops are available, as are self-guided tours of the many exhibitions on show.
4. Look out for the opening of a new gallery
Later in 2018, a new photography gallery is to open in the East End of London, the first overseas branch of Sweden’s Fotografiska, founded in Stockholm in 2010. Fotografiska will take the entire ground-floor area of a new building in Whitechapel, close to the acclaimed Whitechapel Gallery. While no exhibition details have been released yet, the experience at Fotografiska is designed to appeal to all senses by ‘combining flavour, scent and art in an inspiring environment’.
5. Enjoy a group workshop
Pre-bookable workshops led by photographers are available at the Photographers’ Gallery in London, which is said to be the largest public gallery in the capital dedicated to photography. There’s plenty for visiting school children to see and learn from, including the latest emerging talent, historical archives and photography by established artists. Teachers are able to book self-led school visits, whereby parties of school students can explore the galleries independently. Educational workshops are also available for KS2 and upward, and can be added to extend a visit to the gallery. School visits must be booked in advance.
Gardens are great places for pupils to get snap-happy. Read our recent article for inspiration on taking your class on a garden visit, and don’t forget your cameras!
