Visual Storytelling and Human Rights with Ed Kashi

From: January 25, 2018 @ 00:00 EDT
To: January 28, 2018 @ 23:59 EDT
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This workshop is part of the VII Tutor Program — a collaborative project launching a study program focused on discovering new talents, stimulating visual languages that meet contemporary perspectives and transmitting the experiences and world views that have distinguished the two institutions in recent decades.

The workshop will allow you to share your work in an intimate session and learn about the many new ways we can create visual stories and projects related to human rights and advocacy, whether with photographs, short filmmaking or mobile photography, and develop your personal style and approach to have greater impact.

The teaching cycle is divided into two sessions of four days (January/June) during which the students will have the opportunity to develop their projects. Throughout the four months of the initial session and the final one, participants will be able to avail themselves of one individual 30 min Skype call where they can evaluate the uncertainties and progress of their work with Ed Kashi.

For those who want to grow and develop your work to a new level, for publication online and in books, exhibitions and websites, this workshop will change your life. With the photography and media worlds changing so dramatically, there has never been a greater need for the photographer to be able to put a personal stamp, or authorship, on their work. There will be an emphasis on helping students develop their personal vision and unique styles, but also how you go about developing collaborative relationships with NGOs, foundations and activists to make your work part of change.

As with most of Ed Kashi’s work, the ultimate goal is to learn how to find a subject you are passionate about, and find a visual strategy to document it in a compelling and unique visual style. Ed Kashi will use as examples his many personal projects, and we will look at photographs, multimedia and short films to consider the range of opportunities out there at the moment. Students will have 4 days to explain their projects, show their portfolios or even better the work they already have created towards their projects, and we will use these sessions to formulate the best strategy for each participant to produce a successful project.

The days will be organized as follows:

First Session

January, 25th, from 3 pm to 7 pm: Start with introductions and share our personal histories and goals in life and with our photography. Ed will share his work and history of a life in photography and visual storytelling. We will then begin to view each student’s work/project. Each student must be prepared to show at least a portfolio of their best work, but preferably a project they are already engaged in or hope to continue in the course of this mentorship program. Bring 20-30 images and be prepared to present the work to the group.

January, 26th, from 10am to 6 pm: Complete the participant’s presentations. A discussion about long form and intimate story telling by asking the students what this means to them and how it can be done.  A presentation and discussion on Narrative Development and Storytelling. A presentation and discussion on the efficacy and uses of Social Media. A presentation and discussion on Composition and Light.

January, 27th, from 10 am to 6 pm: A presentation and discussion on Multimedia and the Short Form Documentary as it relates to Human Rights issue A review of each participant’s project and breaking down it’s strengths and weaknesses, potential problems to troubleshoot and overcome, reasons for the work and timetable for making it a reality. If there’s time, a presentation and discussion on Advocacy journalism.

January, 28th, from 11 am to 5 pm: Each student has 5 minutes to explain what their project is about, what their next steps will be and then the group helps to answer any questions and give guidance. A presentation and discussion on Digital Workflow and Archiving, including emphasizing the importance of metadata, captioning, etc. A session on editing and sequencing, using the work of some of the students as examples.

Second session – June 2018

Day 1, from 10am to 6 pm: Welcoming and sharing updates on our lives. Each student will give a 20 minute presentation of their projects, showing images and explaining what they’ve accomplished, if they are finished or what is left to complete their project. I expect healthy discussions, wide ranging and open, to help facilitate each student’s work.

Day 2, from 10 am to 6 pm: A presentation and discussion on fund raising and dissemination of your work in the context of advocacy work and how to work with NGOs, Foundations and Non Profits. A breakout session where we apply the lessons on the previous session to each student’s project, taking approximately 10-20 minutes for student. A presentation and discussion on ethics in photography and the importance of transparency and clarity on what you can and cannot do in this profession. On a lighter note, each student must bring in one project that has inspired them to share with the class and use to stimulate discussion.

Day 3, from 10 am to 6 pm: Promoting your work, getting it seen, publishing and making a living. A discussion on the importance of writing and making proposals A session of Questions and Discussions: What makes a good photograph? Discuss work by well-known photographers. What can you learn from photos? How can photos change the way we see the world? Who is your audience? How can photography be used for positive change? What impact can you have by telling your stories? Discussion: Importance of point of view/ability to tell stories. Four essential shots: Landscape, Portrait, Candid, Detail. Connecting with places and selecting subjects.Telling a narrative. Harnessing light/shooting at different times.

Day 4, from 11 am to 5 pm: A group review of each participant’s project, asking tough questions to determine if it’s ready to publish and present to the world, and if not, what work is left to be done. This will require another presentation by each participant. Strategizing for each participant on how to fund raise and where to publish the work, to exploit the maximum opportunities for distribution. What are your final outputs for your projects; a photo essay, short film, using social media, the web, print, etc.