Canon encourages Vivid Sydney 2017 ‘explorers’ to capture the festival in a new light

Sydney, Australia, 27 April 2017 – Canon Australia today announced its program of activity at Vivid Sydney as it returns as an official supporter of the festival for the fourth consecutive year. 

During Vivid Sydney, Canon Australia will host a range of immersive experiences to enable the community of visitors and explorers to capture the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas from new perspectives and locations, while encouraging more people to be involved in photography at the festival than ever before.

Canon HQ will be based at the Foundation Hall of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) in The Rocks from 26 May – 17 June. The Canon team will be on hand to help people of all levels take great photos through guided photo walking tours, free low-light photography workshops, photo meet-ups, camera gear loans and more.

“Vivid Sydney is an amazing spectacle and an opportunity to get active and explore Sydney with a whole new outlook,” says Jason McLean, Director – Canon Consumer Imaging, Canon Australia. “This year we’re calling on festival goers to put on their walking shoes, pick up their camera and show the world their unique perspectives with shots we’ve never seen before.

“No matter the level of photography, we’ll be there to help all Vivid Sydney explorers have more fun and surprise themselves with their shots. Whether you’re a first-time camera user or an enthusiast photographer, there’s no better place to be at this time of year.”

Something for everyone

Visitors to Vivid Sydney will be able to start their photographic journey at Canon HQ, hosted in the Foundation Hall of the MCA in The Rocks. Entering off First Fleet Park, individuals, groups of friends and families can immerse themselves in an atmosphere of imaging inspiration and celebration.

Paid walking tours with the Canon Collective photography ambassadors will take small groups out amongst it with the latest gear and expert guidance, while photography workshops at Studio 8 within Canon HQ will provide something for every level of photographer. All Canon experiences conclude by producing professional-quality photo prints that you would be proud to hang on your wall.

Vivid Sydney attendees will also have the opportunity to loan some of the latest Canon gear from Canon HQ.

Experiences at Canon HQ: 

Studio 8 – Come in to learn what you need to shoot in low-light conditions. Studio 8, an extension of the iconic SUNSTUDIOS, will feature studio workshops created around a range of live performances designed to stretch your imagination as well as your photography skills. These sessions will set you up to shoot the lights of Vivid Sydney with confidence (FREE: Limited spaces available, guests should register here).

Try the latest Canon gear – Attendees who fancy a new camera or simply want to test out new photography tech are in luck. Some of the latest Canon cameras and lenses will be available for hire, including the Canon EOS 80D digital SLR camera and the new EOS M5 and EOS M6 mirrorless cameras and a range of lenses. Canon staff will be on-hand to answer any questions or recommend the ideal gear for your experience.

Free Vivid Sydney Photo Printing at Canon HQ – What better way to complete your Vivid Sydney experience than with a professional-quality print? Visit the Canon light installation ‘Vivid Memories’, – which are two giant photo frames or have your picture taken at Canon’s Pop-up Light Portrait station along the Vivid Sydney Light Walk and collect a free photo print back at Canon HQ.

And for those who have taken some great photos of Vivid Sydney on their own camera, just bring along your SD card and get a photo printed up to A2 size. (FREE – Vivid Sydney photos only). 

• Family evenings – Every Tuesday throughout Vivid Sydney, Canon will host family-themed events at Canon HQ. Bring along the whole family to learn more about photography, print your favourite shots and more. (FREE: Limited spaces available, guests should register here). 

  Make the most of all Vivid Sydney has to offer: 

  Canon Collective Walking Tours – Based on positive feedback from 2016, the Canon Collective Walking Tours have been lengthened this year, available now in two and three-hour formats (pricing starts at $99). While enjoying the use of the new Canon EOS 80D DSLR and EOS M5 Mirrorless cameras, visitors will discover some of the best Vivid Sydney photo opportunities. The Canon Collective will provide visitors with photography tips and advice as they walk through Circular Quay, The Rocks and Barangaroo, stopping at the best vantage points to capture unique shots of Vivid Sydney. Finishing at Canon HQ, attendees can select their best shots and receive a free A3+ sized print. (TICKETED, registrations essential – book your space at the Canon Vivid Sydney website here).
  
  Canon Vivid Memories – Two giant Canon photo frames will be positioned opposite Bennelong Point at the end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal – one facing the Opera House, the other facing the Harbour Bridge – offering visitors a stunning portrait of their Vivid Sydney 2017 experience. The photo will be free to print at Canon HQ. (FREE - more information can be found on the Canon Vivid website here).
  
  Pop-Up Light Portraits – Be a part of this year’s Vivid Sydney light installations by choosing your own light portrait to project over your face, photograph and then print or share on social media with #VividSydney and #VividCanon. This amazing light portrait station will pop-up along the Vivid Sydney Light Walk from Monday to Thursday, with free printing of the result available at Canon HQ. (FREE - more information can be found on the Canon Vivid Sydney website here).
  
  Canon Theatre – Learn and be inspired at the Canon Theatre. Presenting the latest trends and ideas in professional photography, the Canon Theatre on level 2 of the MCA will play host to a range of industry leaders and creative thinkers. Kicking off conversations about the photography industry and taking a peek into where photography is heading, join the likes of Getty Images’ Creative Director Jacqueline Bourke, International Video Music Director Warren Fu and renowned sports photographer Cameron Spencer (who captured the famed image of Usain Bolt), to hear more about their experiences and their thoughts on where photography is heading. (TICKETED, registrations essential - more information can be found on the Canon Vivid website here). 
  
  Vivid Sydney runs from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June 2017. For more details regarding how you can explore Vivid Sydney, as well as register for Studio 8, Canon Collective Walking Tours, and other events, visit Canon Vivid.

Hashtags

Tag your images with #VividCanon and they could appear on the Canon Vivid website, Canon social channels or at Canon HQ.

Canon HQ

Whatever kind of photographic journey you find yourself on, Canon HQ is where your adventure begins. Pop in and catch up with guides and fellow photographers, get inspired and discover where else photography can take you during Vivid Sydney 2017. Canon HQ is located in the Foundation Hall, MCA, every evening from 6pm–11pm.