Photography has the power to capture moments in time, document events, and record our experiences. How can we move beyond strong single images and start to tell compelling visual stories?

In this workshop, participants begin by exploring the work of established documentary photographers. They will learn to develop their vision by identifying themes of personal interest and finding stories around them. The course takes a hands-on approach to visual storytelling, with participants shooting images weekly and receiving feedback from the instructor and in group critiques. In the process, they learn the principles, ethics of and approaches to documentary photography and refine their work.

Participants in this course should possess basic technical proficiency in photography and have an interest in visual storytelling and documentary photography. They will maximise their learning in the course if they commit to working on their photo story between sessions. This course will also be useful to those who want to use documentary photography and visual storytelling across a variety of disciplines from advocacy, to marketing, to journalism and more.

Participants are to use their own cameras and other softwares (if applicable) which they are comfortable with for this workshop.

Basic photography proficiency will be helpful. Participants may shoot with a smartphone but the use of a DSLR or mirrorless camera is encouraged if possible and accessible, as it allows for a greater range of technical possibilities.

Amrita Chandradas

Amrita Chandradas is a Singaporean documentary photographer who holds an M.A. in Photojournalism and Documentary photography from London College of Communications. She is also an alumni of the Angkor Photo Festival (2016). Amrita aspires to explore the intersection between changing environments and its inhabitants, where her work continues to bring forth the less-discussed issues and struggles of displacement.

In 2014, Amrita won the top 30 under 30 documentary photographers showcase by Magnum Photos & IdeasTap. She was a finalist in the Asian Women Photographers showcase and the Invisible Photographer Asia Awards. Her works were also a contender for Excellence in Digital News by SOPA News. Amrita’s work has been featured in The National Geographic, The New York Times, The LA Times, SONY, National Heritage Board, Singapore Tourism Board, Time Out Singapore, BBC World, British Journal of Photography, NPR, SWCP, Financial Times, and Dagbladet.

Tom White

Tom White is a freelance photographer who studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths College, and Photojournalism and Documentary Photography at the International Center of Photography in New York. From 2015-2022, he taught Documentary & Photojournalism at Yale-NUS College. He has also taught classes at Columbia University’s School of Journalism, International Center of Photography.

Tom’s work has been published and exhibited internationally, including in The New York Times, The L.A. Times, The Wall Street Journal, TIME magazine, The Guardian U.K, and for Thompson Reuters and The European Pressphoto Agency.

Tom continues to work on a variety of photography-based social engagement projects and is interested in all aspects of visual literacy and communication, particularly in regard to environmental issues, socially engaged art, journalism and the intersection of political economy, media, technology, and society.