Description:
Join Mark de Paola and Mark Mann in New York City for a 3-Day studio lighting program from March 13-15, 2025. This intensive weekend will explore each artists’ distinct approach to studio lighting and capturing an authenticity with each collaborator. Having been long time friends and loved each other’s work for years, Mark de Paola and Mark Mann are thrilled to join forces and collaborate in sharing a tell all masterclass exploring the portraiture and fashion genres in studio.
Mark Mann and Mark de Paola’s visual styles could not be more different and in contrast to one another, yet the thread that they both will always meet at is capturing a truth with each person in front of their lens.
For the first two days, capture iconic images in studio high above the ground in an iconic New York City skyscraper studio space with two masters as your guides alongside world class talent and shoot teams. Students will be separated into small groups and have individualized shooting sessions for each lighting prompt. For the third day, you will have the unique opportunity to delve into both instructor’s post production and editing process as you prepare a final portfolio for the celebratory group presentation.
Do not miss this exclusive opportunity to join Mark de Paola, Mark Mann, and Leica Akademie USA this March in New York City. You are sure to come away with powerful and poignant photographs, learn and implement your own interpretations of basic studio lighting setups, and immerse further into discovering your truest unique photographic style in fashion and portraiture.
TOPICS:
- Basic lighting setups for portraiture and fashion
- Different approaches to capturing an authenticity with your subject
- Creating a narrative in fashion within a highly controlled studio environment
- Working with and communicating with your shoot team
- Understanding the collaboration between photographer and subject
- Adapting a creative concept to your own visual style
- Mark Mann and Mark de Paola’s distinct post processing/editing processes
- Editing/selecting final images for a specific destination or output (editorial, gallery, etc)
Agenda:
Friday, March 13
10AM - Start time, Location TBA
10:00AM-12:00PM - Mark Mann & Mark de Paola Lecture and Student Introductions
12:00PM-1:00PM - Group Lunch
1:00PM-5:00PM - Photo Shoot #1 in studio in 2 small groups (1 prompt with Mark de Paola, 1 with Mark Mann)
Saturday, March 14
10AM - Start time, Location TBA
10:00AM-1:00PM - Photo Shoot #2 in studio begins in 2 small groups (1 prompt with Mark de Paola, 1 with Mark Mann)
1:00PM-2:00PM - Group Lunch
2:00PM-5:00PM - Photo Shoot #2 continues in two small groups (1 prompt with Mark de Paola, 1 with Mark Mann)
Sunday, March 15
10:00AM - 12:00PM - Mark Mann + Mark de Paola Post Processing/Editing Lecture
12:00PM-2:00PM - Group Lunch
2:00PM-4:00PM - Group Student Image Culling/Reviews/Students Deliver Final Portfolios to Production
4:00PM-5:00PM - Final Group Portfolio Presentation/Closing Lecture
What To Expect:
Food - All food allergies and restrictions must be communicated to production prior to the program in order to accommodate for each day’s group lunch.
Attire - Please expect to be on your feet for the majority of each day for shooting sessions. Comfortable tennis shoes are recommended.
Camera Gear - Please only bring the camera gear that you can carry yourself. Please do not bring tripods, reflectors, or any lighting contraptions.
Other Equipment - Please bring your computer or iPad so that you can seamlessly work to cull your selects and deliver to production for the final group presentation.
Details & Locations:
Location: TBA - New York, NY
Participants: 12 people
Duration: 3 Days
Activity Level: High
What’s Included:
- Individualized instruction and mentorship by Mark de Paola and Mark Mann
- Production, talent and shoot teams
- Studio Locations
- Group Lunch Each Day
- Individual shooting sessions
JOHN KREIDLER STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
On June 10, 2024, the Leica community lost John Kreidler, an incredible artist who was a huge advocate for Leica Akademie USA and its’ instructors. His life was dedicated to photography and sharing the art form with others. Mark de Paola and Mark Mann both had the immense privilege of working with him throughout the years, as well as to call him a dear friend. Every first phone call when either artist had a question about a new piece of gear, a software update, or to brainstorm about growing the Akademie into the future, it was to John. To these phone calls, he would answer on the first ring.
John’s influence went far beyond just his work with instructors, but shared his personal cell phone number and email with as many students and fans of the Leica brand that he could. He lead with conviction, heart, patience, integrity, and compassion. His love for Leica, photography, and for his students was limitless, and his work with the Leica Akademie, Mark Mann, and Mark de Paola will forever be remembered by those who were touched by his immense impact.
It is in John’s honor that we present ONE student a free scholarship to the January 2025 Lighting Masterclass with two masters.
Application deadline: February 1, 2025
Application requirements:
- Why you are taking this course
- A brief selection from your portfolio. A website link, instagram link, PDF, or Dropbox link are preferred.
Please note that student flights to/from New York City, airport transfers, and accommodations are not included in tuition and must be arranged for individually by each student.
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