Go beyond the single image and learn how to tell compelling visual stories through a photo series

Duration
15h over 6 sessions

Proficiency Level
Intermediate

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.

Kindly note that this instalment of the workshop will run in a hybrid model, consisting of a mixture of in-person and online sessions. Please refer to the schedule below for more details.

Please register via the form below.

Workshop Fee
$480.00

This workshop is eligible for use of SkillsFuture Credit.

Instructors
Tom White
Amrita Chandradas
(View the profiles of our instructors here.)

Next Dates

Group B: 23 Jul to 9 Sep 2025
1. Wed 23 Jul, 7.30pm – 10pm
2. Tue 29 Jul, 7.30pm – 10pm
3. Tue 5 Aug, 7.30pm – 10pm (online)
4. Tue 19 Aug, 7.30pm – 10pm (online)
5. Tue 26 Aug, 7.30pm – 10pm (online)
6. Tue 9 Sep, 7.30pm – 10pm

 

Course Overview

Session 1
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? & Ways of Presenting Work 
– Looking critically to assess if a story is cohesive
– Sequencing a series
– Integrating captions, text and other media
– Discussion of projects and group critique
– Different formats in which photo stories can be presented
– Future possibilities to extend and present projects
Session 6
Wrap Up

 

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.

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