The VII Foundation presents a unique and rare opportunity to engage with some of its leading photographers and special guest and friend, James Nachtwey, this summer in Arles, France.
VII Photo contributing photographers Eric Bouvet, Philip Blenkinsop, Ashley Gilbertson, Ed Kashi, Ilvy Njiokiktjien, Daniel Schwartz and Danny Wilcox Frazier will be running a series of three-day and half-day workshops that teach some of the fundamentals of photographic practice at The VII Foundation’s French headquarters in the heart of the city. These workshops will be an enriching and transformative experience for photographers of all levels, offering a rare chance to learn from some of the most respected names in the industry as the world’s pre-eminent photo festival spills out on to the streets around you.
Participants of all the workshops will work closely with the VII Photo photographers in a dynamic setting as the city prepares itself for the Rencontres d’Arles Photo Festival which opens the same weekend. All students will have the opportunity to attend a private group session with James Nachtwey where he will discuss his approach to assignments, using a well-known body of work as a case study, and answer questions during a Q&A session. The program will conclude with a small reception exclusively for the workshop participants, where you can engage and network with all of the teachers as well as visiting VII Photo photographers and their friends from the profession who are in the city for the festival.
The workshops
The three-day workshops, held from June 29th to July 1st, will cover various aspects of the photographic craft and industry. Eric Bouvet will help participants discover and cultivate their unique photographic voice while Ed Kashi will guide photographers in mastering the fundamentals of video storytelling. Ilvy Njiokiktjien will share essential strategies for building a sustainable photography career, and Danny Wilcox Frazier will provide valuable insights into developing and executing long-term personal projects.
In addition to the three-day workshops, The VII Foundation will also offer half-day workshops on the morning of July 2nd. Ashley Gilbertson will lead participants through the art of street photography, focusing on capturing candid moments and creating stunning images of everyday life. For those interested in the craft of making a photo book Daniel Schwartz will share his insights on creating his book Tracings. Photography and Thought, shedding light on the intertwined paths that link his thematic monographs, assignments, and peripatetic work spanning five decades. Finally, Philip Blenkinsop will lead students to the Parc Ornithologique at Pont Gau in the Camargue Delta, where he will share his approach and techniques for conveying the ethereal nature of the landscape through the use of movement.
The workshops are suitable for all skill levels. You must bring your own equipment suitable for the workshop; an equipment list will be provided before it starts.
Join The VII Foundation in Arles for a rare rendezvous with James Nachtwey, one of the most celebrated photojournalists of our time. During this public presentation and Q&A on the evening of July 1, James will showcase a collection of seminal photographs from his illustrious career.
Price: $900 per person
Dates: June 29 – June 30 – July 1
Includes a closed session with James Nachtwey and a private reception on the evening of June 30 at The Alexandra Boulat Campus.
In this workshop, participants will embark on a journey of self-discovery to uncover and cultivate their unique photographic voice.
In this workshop designed specifically for photographers, participants will gain valuable insights into the process and markets for various forms of video storytelling, including multimedia, short films for NGOs/Foundations/Non-Profits, editorial content, short and feature documentaries, and experimental films.
In this workshop, participants will learn essential strategies for building a sustainable career in the photography industry. The course will cover key topics such as grant writing, crowdfunding, pitching projects, and securing assignments.
In this workshop, renowned photographer Danny Wilcox Frazier will guide participants of all levels in developing and refining their long-term documentary projects. Participants will learn essential strategies for planning, executing, and editing their projects, from the initial concept to the final sequencing process.
Price: $200 per person
Dates: July 2, from 9 AM – 2PM
Includes a closed session with James Nachtwey and a private reception on the evening of June 30 at The Alexandra Boulat Campus.
In this half-day (6 hour) workshop you will travel by bus (30 minutes) to the Parc Ornithologique at Pont Gau in the Camargue Delta to spend a few hours photographing; here Philip will share with you his approach and his techniques, with live demonstrations in an environment which will allow you to explore and experiment under his guidance.
In this immersive half-day workshop, Ash Gilbertson will guide you through the art of street photography. Students will gain the confidence to approach strangers, learn techniques for capturing candid moments, and discover how to create stunning images of everyday life.
What are the residua of your photographs when the stories they once told have become dust of history? Why confront previously unnoticed images with the seemingly familiar ones; what do they convey when speaking among one another? Why make your photography the subject of a book at all?
