Leading photographer Dale Neill to deliver workshops in Albany showcasing the power of the art form

One of Australia’s leading photographers Dale Neill will be in Albany this week where he will conduct two workshops, sharing his knowledge of the craft from a career spanning more than 50 years.

The Fremantle photographer will host two workshops in partnership with Ace Camera Club at Vancouver Arts Centre on Saturday.

Neill hopes to teach people the “sheer power” and community value of photography.

The first workshop, Immersion Photography, starts at 2pm and will cover how photographic skills can be built for a more connected and inclusive community.

“Most photographers when they go into an area or town they’ll go in, shoot and leave,” Neill said.

“Instead of just shooting stereotypical things that others do, we’re there to photograph things that make that town whether that be the buildings, businesses, cars, farm machinery or social organisations.

“Try to capture a snapshot of the town as it is at that time but then leave a legacy for that community, could be a collection of photographs, an exhibition, a book, so that the town has something to remember that by.”

Spending decades in professional practice as a photographer and teacher, the 77-year-old has taught the art form for several years at TAFE and University of WA.

In 2012, Neill founded the Fremantle International Portrait Prize attracting 700 entries from 22 countries and raising $8000 for the Arthritis Foundation of WA.

His second Albany workshop starting at 3:30pm, Stories That Can’t Be Printed, will see the master snapper delve deep into his photo archives, sharing stories and photos that can’t be published in the public eye.

“A photograph and story I’ll tell in my second workshop is revolving around the Wounded Princess a photo I took of a feral girl in Fremantle 20 years ago,” he said.

“The story behind that is absolutely heart-wrenching and an incredibly powerful story.”

Neill held his very first exhibition here in Albany in 1986.

“I’ve had more than 20 exhibitions but my first exhibition in Albany was the most successful I’ve ever had,” he said.

“There’s 23 camera clubs in WA and the photographic fraternity in Albany is stronger than anywhere else, it’s really powerful.”

Neill said he hoped to convey his passion for the way photos can “trigger a story”.

“I would say many photographers think that the better their equipment the more money spent on a camera or lens, the better photographer they will be and nothing could be further from the truth,” he said.

“It’s really your vision, your ability to be able to see the way light falls on a subject, to design an image and create a story that comes from within the heart and head that creates an image.”

For details, email ace.albany@gmail.com.