STORYTELLING THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Duration
12.h over 5 sessions + one individual online consultation

Course Description
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.

Register here

Workshop Fee
$390

This workshop may be eligible for use of SkillsFuture Credit. We will provide eligible participants with further details upon responding to their registrations. 

Instructor
Tom White

Next Dates
18 May to 30 Jun 2021
18 May to 30 Jun 2021 
1. Tues 18 May, 7.30pm to 10pm
2. Tues 25 May, 7.30pm to 10pm 
3. Wed 2 Jun, 7.30pm to 10pm
One week break to work on projects.
4. Wed 16 Jun, 7.30pm to 10pm 
Online consultation with instructor, timing to be arranged later 
5. Wed 30 Jun, 7.30pm to 10pm

Course Overview 

Session 1
Introductions
– Introductions
– Approaches to storytelling through photography
– Ethics and empathy in documentary
– Strategies for idea generation
Session 2
Developing Your Idea
– Research and gaining access
– Understanding your subject
– Discussion of assignment and feedback
Session 3
Single Images
– The establishing shot
– Single pictures within a series
– Discussion of assignment and feedback
Session 4
Getting Closer
– The little things: details
– Working with images and text, creating context
– Discussion of projects and critique
Session 5
Is Your Story Complete?
– Looking critically to assess if a story is cohesive
– Sequencing a series
– Integrating captions, text and other media
– Discussion of projects and group critique
Session 6
Wrap Up: Ways of Presenting Work 
– Different formats in which photo stories can be presented
– Discussion of projects and group critique
– Future possibilities to extend and present projects
 

Technical Requirements
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.

[Phase 3] Covid-19 Health & Safety Advisory and Measures
Please note this workshop will take place offline, at Objectifs (classroom sessions), with the exception of one online consultation between Session 4 and the final Session 5. The following measures will apply:

  • Maximum class size of eight participants + one instructor
  • Participants to wear face masks throughout and to be seated at least 1m apart from each other
  • Instructors to wear face masks, or face shields are permitted while they are teaching and they must maintain a distance from the participants
  • Frequent sanitising of equipment and commonly touched surfaces
  • Sign-in / sign-out required via the SafeEntry app and temperatures will be taken

Please refer here for our full advisory on health and safety in light of Covid-19 and do not hesitate to contact us with further queries or concerns.