In thinking how to post a recap about our first Advanced Documentary Wirkshop all I kept thinking about was how proud I was of all of our students and not only the work they produced but how much each one had grown either as a photographer or as a person or both. So I decided to start a new thing on the Wirkshop Series site called Celebrating Success. I plan to not only celebrate the success of each Wirkshop experience but also highlight past students and their growth as photographers in the months and years following a workshop.
First a little background info about the Advanced Documentary Wirkshop. I am a big believer in giving credit where credit is due so I must start there and give Huy Nguyen credit as well as gratitude for inspiring the Wirkshop Series. See, it was Huy that saw teaching potential in me years ago at his workshop, Foundation Workshop, in Texas giving me the chance to grow in that environment.
The Advanced Documentary Wirkshop is in essence a watered down version of what Foundation Workshop is. The idea is to teach photographers the way of photojournalism. To achieve this each student spends time shooting real assignments like they would if they worked for a newspaper. Each day is followed by a very intense critique session of the days work. It is extremely effective in teaching what real photojournalism is like as well as honing general photographic skill.
I felt that it would be a great idea to offer a similar experience, although not as intense, as a perfect precursor to Foundation Workshop or simply an introduction to documentary photography. We spent the three days talking about visual story telling as well as diving into photo techniques required to capture fleeting moments in a visually appealing way.
Each student was given an assignment to photograph. They would then return to the studio where we spent time looking over their images in a very honest critique session. It was wonderful to see how the group came together, bonded and grew both as friends and photographers. I could not be more proud of each and everyone of them.
To give you a feel for what went down, lets start with an amazing video recap of the Wirkshop that our very own Brandon Parigo of Wirken Films did for us. It is so well done and I am grateful for what he did for us.
Now to celebrate the success of those five students-
First up is Elizabeth LLoyd-
Elizabeth’s assignment was Town Topic, a Kansas City iconic burger joint. I was so impressed with her photographic talent and ability to see very interesting images of normal everyday things. This was my favorite photo of her set. Love the moment of two people eating with the added element of the worker washing their hands. Such an interesting way to show the place. Lots of hand expressions going on. Expressions do not have to just a facial expression. Many times a gesture is just as powerful. Great job Elizabeth.
Joe Sands spent his day at Paul Mesner Puppets. A company that builds puppets and performs shows all over the city. It just so happened that their season was over when Joe was with them but he was able to make some great photos of them building and testing puppets. This was my favorite image of his set as I really felt it shows the behind the scenes life of a puppet maker. The folks that worked at Paul Mesner Puppets were such happy go lucky people who obviously loved their jobs. I like how Joe was able to capture a moment that summed all of that up. Many times the behind the scenes action is much more interesting than what is seen or often times portrayed to the public. This images captures that. Nicely done Joe.
Shelley Paulson had the challenge of telling the story of Sky’s limit Crossfit gym. I have known Shelley for a few years now and really admire her work and the way she can see light and make beautiful images time and time again. Thus the reason I chose the cluttered dimly lit Crossfit gym for her challenge. She met that challenge head on and was able to make some really great images that make you feel what that place feels like and more importantly what crossfit feels like. Making a viewer feel something about the place or person you are photographing is what documentary photography is all about. You need to make it feel like it felt like to be there. Shelley was able to do that very well. I love this image for the complexity of it. The layering of information as well as use of framing work perfectly to illustrate the story of this particular gym. Well done my friend.
McKenzie had lots of challenges to concur with her assignment at Pooches Paradise. Pooches Paradise is a local doggy daycare and grooming business which proved tough for McKengie since she really does not like dogs and has known to be allergic as well. She toughed it out anyway and proved that if you have enough drive anything is possible. She was able to overcome her fears and get the job done. Documentary work does not always cater to your strengths and your comfort zones. Many times you have to be fearless and do what it takes to get the job done. By the end of the day she was in the thick of it making some great images. This is my favorite image from her set simply because it shows a simple moment between human and animal. Not an easy thing to do. Especially in that environment. If she can make an image of a tender moment between a person and a dog there is no doubt she will now be able to nail those fleeting moments at a wedding between people. Way to be strong McKengie.
Finally we have Krissy McCabe. Krissy spent her time photographing the Luck Lady tattoo parlor. It was a perfect challenge for her as it enabled her to come out of her shell a bit and really soar. This is my favorite image from her set as it really celebrates hard work and patience. There were many other images she made that had immediate impact. People’s faces in pain as they held on tight to anything possible to mask the pain of the needle, gentle loving touches by a loved one helping get through the pain, etc….. But this image was not easy to make. Not only does it have great light and context it has what I call an easter egg. You see the photo and it takes a bit to find the figure drinking out of a water bottle. I love those kind of delayed reaction images. Krissy deserved for that to happen to her as she found the composition and waited almost an hour for something to happen. It did. Actually it happened twice. I love rewarding photographers for their thought process during the making of a photo more than the actual photo itself. To have the discipline to ignore what else is going on around you and focus and wait that long for a moment is not an easy thing to harness. Krissy impressed me with her ability to do just that. Sometimes you gotta just know when you have it good and hope that real life knows it as well and gives you that egg you have been waiting for. Good job.
The group!
Congrats on all of your success!
The first of the Documentary Advanced Classes is SOLD OUT!
Getting excited for the Wirkshop next week and meeting the 5 students!
This is a big day. I am so excited to officially kick off the first of many of the 2-day Intensive Wirkshops!
I am even more excited to talk about the team making it happen. I am joining forces with two of my favorite photographers whose work I have admired for quite a while. Ben and Erin Chrisman. In case you have not had the pleasure of knowing who these two are they have pretty much taken the wedding industry by storm over the past 3 or 4 years. Besides being known for their artistic documentary approach to wedding photography – pure photojournalism combined with creative, artistic portraiture. Ben was named Photographer of the Year by the Wedding Photojournalist Association, and Ben and Erin were listed as two of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world by American Photo magazine. I have had the pleasure of teaching side by side with these two at the Foundation Workshop and was thrilled with the idea of teaming up with them to launch the first of the Wirkshop Series. Check out their work- http://benchrismanblog.com
Below you will find all the info you need as well as a link to register for this unique opportunity. See you in KC!
We are crazy excited to announce our first 2-day intensive Wirkshop coming this September……….stay tuned.
One word.
Chrisman.
All I gotta say. Find out more on Monday.