Red Bull and Positive View Foundation launch Depth of Field, a new bespoke, summer-long photography initiative, supporting the next generation of photographers.
Designed to champion young, underrepresented talent, the project is offering people aged 16-25 unique opportunities to transform their lives and ignite passions or even careers through photography.
Depth of Field will see Red Bull and Positive View help ten emerging photographers gain access and exposure to some of the world’s leading sporting and cultural properties, with the ultimate aim of creating a deeper pool of talent in the industry.
The programme is set to include experiences shooting some of Red Bull’s world leading sporting talent, such as Oracle Red Bull Racing, home of Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen; Premier League star Trent Alexander-Arnold; and some of the leading names in action sports such as BMX and Mountain Bike. In addition, the programme will grant access to unique events such as partner music festivals, the HSBC London Sevens at Twickenham, Red Bull Soapbox Race and Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard.
Through these experiences, participants will have the opportunity to develop not only their technical photography skills, guided by established names in the industry, but also soft skills and self-belief that will serve them in whichever route they choose to take in life.
The Depth of Field programme has been created to inspire and enable young creative talent by opening the doors to a highly competitive industry – and one that often overlooks diverse talent – with barriers to entry that include professional networks established over years and prohibitively expensive equipment.
Since it was founded in 2012, Positive View has continued to support and invest in the nation’s young talent, by making a positive impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable young people in the country, through funded partners such as Arts Council and the Royal Photographic Society. Positive View has previously collaborated with figures such as David Beckham and Prince William, and the charity’s ambassadors include established professionals such as Richard Young and Rankin.
In the ten years since it was founded, Positive View has supported over 600 young people through photography programmes and has seen the impact it can have on their lives. Thirty-seven per cent of young people who have completed a Positive View programme have gone on to work in the photography industries, as professional photographers, studio assistants, gallery staff or similar. And six months after completing a Positive View course, 73 per cent of participants have moved on into further education, apprenticeships, or employment.
Seven of the ten participant spaces on the Depth of Field programme have been selected through previous Positive View programmes, and those young people were recently shot by renowned fashion photographer David Sims at his London studio. Red Bull and Positive View are now announcing an open call for the remaining three spaces on the programme.
Positive View Founder and CEO, Andrew Page said: “We’re so proud to be partnering with Red Bull to launch the Depth of Field programme. The creative industries can be especially difficult for young people to enter as they’re often gatekept by those in the know. However, the progression of the industry comes from supporting the next wave of talent, by ensuring they have the skills and resources needed to continue to lay foundations for generations to come.”
British fashion photographer and Positive View ambassador, David Sims said: “Positive View is a fantastic resource for amplifying new and diverse voices in the photography industry. I had the honour of meeting and photographing the first seven participants in the Red Bull x Positive View Depth of Field programme, and really enjoyed spending time getting to know them. This will be an amazing summer for them and can’t wait to see how they grasp the opportunity.”
To apply to join Depth of Field, young people aged 16-25 should head to www.redbull.co.uk/depthoffield and submit three of their favourite shots they have taken and a few words on why the programme would have a positive impact on their lives.
Submissions opened on April 27 and will be open until May 10, 2022, with the final three participants to be announced in mid-May.
Follow @positiveviewfoundation and @redbulluk, and for full details on Depth of Field visit www.redbull.co.uk/depthoffield
www.positiveview.org.uk
