Open Photojournalism Education Network

Workshop Stories

How is your research going for the story you'll be working on?

This is my first time participating in a workshop like this. I have ideas, but I haven't settled on a specific subject yet. I'm looking for something that will be easy to access so I can spend as much time shooting as possible. It would be interesting to hear people's experiences with this.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Reed on February 21, 2012 at 3:17am

I am still deciding on the story I will undertake but I will have 2 or 3 other ones that I could shoot and add as a collection. I am working on 5 possible main ideas re Fremantle and final will be decided on light, time, location, access and strength of idea. I will have main story worked out before i arrive on friday because there is not a lot of time if we have workshops in the morning. I will take back up camera also in case main one gets stolen or malfunctions.also take lots of memory for back up and shooting.

Permalink Reply by Jason Paul Roberts on February 21, 2012 at 3:42am

I participated in last year's Magnum Munich workshop. It was a LOT of work. Before I arrived I had a couple of ideas, but once I was in Munich I ditched my original ideas and went with something completely different. So be prepared for anything.

...and bring comfortable shoes.

Permalink Reply by Greg Lindsey on February 21, 2012 at 4:54am

Thanks for sharing. I think I have a simple story idea and subject but will need to do some research to develop it further. Are you guys making phone calls? I will if needed, although working with the time difference makes it an additional challenge. Good luck.

Permalink Reply by Oliver Thompson on February 21, 2012 at 9:35am

Hi Greg, I've arrived in Perth early, let me know if you need a hand contacting anyone here.

I'm going for a scout tomo as there is interesting protest on the Herrison Island at the moment about land rights being sold.

...and carry water/sunscreen on you at all times as its hot!!

Permalink Reply by Greg Lindsey on February 21, 2012 at 4:54pm

Hey Oliver, that sounds really cool, good luck with that and thanks for offering help. I'm arriving in Perth March 6th and I will do some scouting for my ideas while I get adjusted to the time and season change.

Permalink Reply by Greg Lindsey on February 21, 2012 at 5:16pm

By the way, Oliver, where are you looking and finding out about this stuff?

Permalink Reply by Ingetje Tadros on February 24, 2012 at 11:03am

Hi everybody, i've just returned home from India and found out i got accepted for Workshop. Is there a specific theme we need to follow, ? is it like a Storytelling, or more Photojournalism workshop? i did a workshop in The States months ago and as this was a Storytelling workshop, i needed to follow a person for 1 week, where can i find more info about how/what , any info welcome AND for all overseas people coming over, it's warm to hot in Perth and VERY spread out, so won't be easy i feel as in transport etc...haven't made a plan yet :(- greetings to all, ingetje at www.ingetjetadros.com

Permalink Reply by Oliver Thompson on February 24, 2012 at 12:46pm

Hi Greg, it was on the telly so I went down the next day to chat with the Elders and a very interesting photographer and other protesters. Invited to attended a meeting at the local activist centre that night and found out more about the sovereignty of the land.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aboriginal-Tent-Embassy/2107309456116...

This site seems to be the one for Perth news: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/noongar-tent-emba...

as 9 news and 7 news don’t have to much info on WA compared to Perth Now.

HI Ingetje and welcome, love your work!

Permalink Reply by Greg Lindsey on February 25, 2012 at 5:16am

Oliver thanks for the link to perth now.

Ingetje, I got an email from Fiona with pdf attachments, one of which has a list of possible story ideas. If you don't have those documents talk to Fiona and she can send you that info. This workshop is self-directed which from my understanding means its mostly up to us. This is my first time participating in something like this so I am keeping my subject simple so I can spend as much time shooting as possible. I'm also looking for something similar to the types of subjects Trent shoots. As far as transportation goes, I have a scooter hire for a couple weeks.

Permalink Reply by Ingetje Tadros on February 25, 2012 at 8:45am

Hi jason, i am still 'deciding' if i should go or not as i've done 2 simuliar workshops before...how did u find the magnum Workshop in Munich? did u learn heaps? and shooting by yourself, choosing your own subject etc and do u get edited every day, can you pls tell me your experience, (as i'm feeling still sick from India and feeling not that great,..which is hard to decide for me if i should go.....hope you can give me some more info about your experience, by the way i've been accepted by Trente and you?

Jason Paul Roberts said:

I participated in last year's Magnum Munich workshop. It was a LOT of work. Before I arrived I had a couple of ideas, but once I was in Munich I ditched my original ideas and went with something completely different. So be prepared for anything.

...and bring comfortable shoes.

Permalink Reply by Jason Paul Roberts on February 25, 2012 at 7:50pm

Hi Ingetje,

I enjoyed the Munich workshop. Did I “learn heaps”? Well, I’d say it was a case of quality vs. quantity. I didn’t come home with a notebook full of new information, but the process of working on a photo essay under the direction of a Magnum photographer was enlightening.

The focus was on “seeing” and “working a story”. Much of the workshop was on exploring different ways to approach a story – both before and during the shooting process. There was daily photo critique, as well as discussions on editing down final photos, creating a series of photographs that work together, etc.

For me, finding a theme that was doable in 4 days of shooting was the hardest part of the workshop. I arrived with ideas but quickly determined they wouldn’t work. Eventually I found a theme and managed to eek out a few acceptable photographs. It was a good lesson in adaptation.

As with most things in life, people got out of it what they put into it. There were a few students who didn’t listen to any of the instructor’s suggestions. They stuck with what was familiar to them, and by the end of the workshop they were disappointed. Seems silly to take a Magnum workshop and NOT listen to the Magnum photographer, but we photographers can be stubborn sometimes. The students who were open to exploring new methods seemed pleased with the results.

The workshop was VERY well organized. Fiona is amazing. Each group had a volunteer from the festival to assist the students. The volunteers helped with things like directions, translation, local history, suggestions on where we could find subjects, etc. They were great.

Overall it was a wonderful experience. Well organized, well executed, good people. My only regret was not allowing more time to see Munich. This time I am giving myself a few extra days for fun.

I hope this helps you decide. I am in Trent’s group as well. I look forward to meeting you!

Permalink Reply by Greg Lindsey on February 25, 2012 at 9:34pm

Thanks for sharing about your experience with the Munich workshop Jason, really helpful. I'm glad you're coming.