2009 Seminar Details Announced

Arena photographers are pleased to announce a world class line-up for the 2009 Arena Seminar to be held on Bournemouth, 6th-8th March 2009.

Ever since it’s inception, the annual Arena Seminar has brought together some of the greatest practitioners of the photographic world. Each year, we have been fortunate to have been able to secure the participation of some very well know artists, and at the end of the weekend we ask ourselves, ‘Well, how do we follow that?’ Well, it looks as though we have done it again with a truly first class, indeed world class programme, for 2009.

You might think that it would be enough to have Martin Parr, Britain's best know photographer, as a guest speaker, but we also have Tom Stoddart, one of the world's greatest photojournalists, presenting at the 2009 Arena annual seminar. But it doesn't even stop there, as we have Andrew Nadolski, the highly regarded landscape photographer, Ken Keen extraordinary architectural photographer and Arena's own Roy King and John Chamberlin also presenting at what promises to be a vintage weekend in Bournemouth.

Once again, the weekend is being held in Bournemouth, this time at the four star Durley Hall Hotel. Guests are invited to join us for either day, or enjoy an inclusive package for the whole weekend. We are now taking bookings, but please hurry as we anticipate that places will sell quickly! Please use the booking form posted on the right hand side of this page.

MARTIN PARR

Martin Parr is one of the best known photographers in the world today and has developed an international reputation for his oblique approach to social documentary photography. Admitted to the Magnum Photo Agency in 1988 he became a full member in 1994. Among his many projects are ‘The Last Resort’, observations on the seaside resort of New Brighton, ‘Bored Couples’ and ‘Parking Spaces’, a collection of images taken in 41 countries on the theme of the last available parking space. As well as personal projects, he is currently working on a commission for the Guardian newspaper on ten British cities, and is becoming increasingly more involved in curating and editing. His exhibition, Parrworld, is on show in Germany before moving on to Holland. He has just been awarded the Centenary Medal by the Royal Photographic Society.

Tom Stoddart

Tom Stoddart is quite simply, one of the greatest photojournalists working today. His powerful monochrome images bear witness to some of the worst behaviour of man today – war, famine and poverty. He has borne testament to the plight of AIDS sufferers in Africa, the siege of Sarajevo and the Balkan conflict as well as the war in Iraq. But no matter how terrible the event, his pictures are beautiful, poetic and powerful. His 2004 book, iWitness was received to wide critical acclaim, presenting many of his most famous images.

Andrew Nadolski

Andrew is a landscape photographer who specialises in seascapes. His first book ‘The End of the Land’ was published in 2005 and captures his personal interpretation of a remote beach in West Cornwall, close to Lands End. Captivated by the geology of this beach and the stunning rock formations to be found there, he has returned to the location time and time again from 1996 onwards, documenting its beauty and the on-going changes that he witnesses there.

Ken Keen

Ken Keen began to lose his sight nine years ago but showed extraordinary determination and developed techniques to overcome his lose of sight and enable him to continue to pursue his passion for photographing ecclesiastical architecture. His presentation will feature images from a larger body of work on Sacred Architecture, which celebrates the history and the mystery of medieval buildings in which men have worshipped over the centuries. He uses alternative printing processes to achieve the aesthetic sensitivity that makes his work so distinctive and distinguished. This presentation is a truly inspirational one.

Roy King

One of the founder members of Arena, Fellow of the RPS and member of the London Salon, Roy King’s work is widely acclaimed. Often working in urban or coastal location, his quiet documentary pictures show a keen sense of timing and composition, often with a gentle touch of humour or eloquence. Always interesting, always stimulating, Roy’s photos will demonstrate that with a keen eye, intelligence and a little patience, great photos can be found in the most unlikely of places.

John Chamberlin

Working in many different disciplines, John's work touches on many aspects of the natural world, from landscapes, wildlife and travel. As his many galleries on this website show, he has travelled far and wide in pursuit of his photographic interests. A skilled colour worker, his images appeal to our senses to protect our environment and pause to consider the beauty of the natural world.

The Weekend Programme in brief

Saturday

Roy King

Martin Parr

Ken Keen

Sunday

John Chamberlin

Andrew Nadolski

Tom Stoddart