Get ready for a feast of photography in Ilfracombe this October
The first-ever Ilfracombe Photography Festival will host a huge range of events, talks, walks and much more on October 10-11
Bookings are now live for a raft of events, walks and workshops as Ilfracombe gears up for a two-day feast of photography this October – and you don’t need to own a camera to get involved!
The first ever Ilfracombe Photography Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11, with a packed line-up of workshops, talks, films and photo walks taking place over the weekend as well as some activities in the days leading up to it.
Visitors can book practical workshops, guided photo walks, artist talks, film screenings and hands-on creative sessions.
Events include darkroom experiences, pinhole photography, camera obscura, zine-making, seascape and nature photography, astrophotography, underwater photography, 3D photography, archive tours and discussions exploring photography and visual culture.
The programme also includes screenings of I Am Martin Parr and Finding Vivian Maier.
But organisers are keen to stress the programme is not only for photographers. While there are plenty of opportunities for experienced photographers and beginners to develop their skills, many events will also appeal to anyone interested in Ilfracombe, local history, storytelling, art, the coast and the power of images.
The festival will take place across 15 venues in Ilfracombe, with free exhibitions, bookable workshops, talks, films, photo walks and community projects creating a town-wide celebration of photography.
Paul Bateman, from Ilfracombe Photography Festival, said: “Opening bookings for our workshops, talks, films and photo walks is a really exciting moment.
“The programme shows just how varied photography can be, from darkroom processes and seascapes to underwater images, archive photographs, astrophotography and film.
“We want the festival to feel welcoming to everyone. Some people will come with years of photography experience, some will come with a mobile phone and others may simply want to enjoy the exhibitions, talks and stories behind the images. Ilfracombe is such an inspiring place for this, with its harbour, coastline, creative community and dramatic coastal light.”
Alongside events and activities to book, the festival will feature a wide range of free exhibitions across the town.
Exhibitions already announced include The Lifeboat Station Project by Jack Lowe, Ravilious Archive of North Devon Life, A Path to the Past by Dapper & Jude, Chris Woodhouse, Astrophotography, Refugee Path by Olga Vynnyk and Shifted Visuals by Ed Lawton.
Then there is Rock by Joshua Day, underwater photography by Maggs Ashton, Community Outreach Showcase, Ilfracombe Academy Student Photographer Showcase, Rotary Club Student Photographer Showcase, and work by local photographers and artists including Howaboutdave Photography, Tim Lamerton, Glen Wells, Joseph Carter and those taking part in Kindred Tides.
There is also a free-to-enter photography competition, sponsored by Saal Digital, with adult and under-18 categories.
Two winners will each receive £100 printing vouchers, winning entries and runners-up will be professionally printed for exhibition and every entrant will receive a 30 per cent discount voucher for Saal Digital printing, valid multiple times for one year.
The festival is organised by volunteers and supported by a growing network of sponsors, funders and partners. Organisers would like to thank festival sponsor The Terrace Tapas & Wine Bar, Classic Cottages which is supporting the workshops and photo walks programme and In The Pink, supporting the talks programme.
Bookings for workshops, talks, films and photo walks are now live at https://www.ilfracombephotofest.org/workshops.html or visit https://www.ilfracombephotofest.org for all festival and competition information.