21 Day Siberian villages photography Workshop - along the Trans Siberian Railway
CANCELLATION OFFER:
A late notice opportunity to join us on this unique trip has come up courtesy of a cancellation. Please contact us for this special adventure.
Photos from the May 2017 voyage can be seen here: Trans Siberian through Russia
Building on the success of our first Trans Siberian photo workshop, we are pleased to announce another Trans Siberian Photo Workshop from May 7 to May 27, 2018.
This workshop is unique – enabling participants to further their photographic skills and expression, while at the same time making a once in a lifetime journey visiting and photographing the daily lives of the people and villages along the Trans Siberian Railroad.
Our Trans Siberian adventure is an opportunity to immerse yourself and document the natural beauty and social fabric found along this timeless and less travelled path.
Submerging and engaging in Russian village cultures while also learning about social documentary, natural light and environmental portrait photography.
Our Photo Workshops are designed for those who are seeking a more immersive learning experience. It is this attitude and a curiosity to wonder what is around the next corner that defines the type of person who will get the most out of this workshop and adventure. Photographic proficiency is less important – the course is open to beginners through to professionals.
Your two hosts on this adventure
Host: Harald Claessen
Born in the Netherlands, Harald is a Social Documentary and Portrait Photographer who explores Russia since 2004. He previously lived and worked in Russia for four years and although he is now based in Cyprus, he still maintains a residence in Russia for his frequent explorations of this unexplored country.
Harald worked for the German Press Agency (DPA) and his works on Coney Island was published by BurnMagazine and ArtNaratives.
•http://www.haraldclaessen.com
•https://www.instagram.com/haraldclaessen/
Host: Birgit Krippner
Born in Austria, award winning photographer Birgit Krippner has lived in New Zealand since 2003. Her specialty is capturing candid images using only available light. She often works in low light situations, relying on fast lenses. Her works have been published in media like Foreign Policy Magazine, Art Forum Magazine and NZ Life & Leisure Magazine. Birgit has exhibited internationally, including New York, San Francisco, London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Auckland and Wellington.
Birgit is a judge for the internationally renowned “I-Shot-It†photo competition: http://www.i-shot-it.com
•http://www.birgitkrippner.com
•https://www.instagram.com/birgit_krippner/
Up for a trip of a lifetime?
We will all meet for this workshop in Vladivostok. After exploring this fascinating eastern town, we will take the Trans Siberian Railway to Moscow, which will bring the participants on a journey of a lifetime. We will make numerous multi-day stops that will give participants the possibility to see and capture a magnificent part of Russia and its people, which is seldom traveled by foreigners - a magical journey through places with many distinct cultures that have not been unduly compromised by globalisation.
This experience is meant for independent photographers from every level who enjoy exploring what’s hidden around the next corner. Non-photographers are also welcome. While this travel is not physically demanding, the participants should be in good health and ready to walk and explore.
While we will travel as a group, you will be encouraged to “follow your instincts†and explore aspects of each village and town that interests you independently so that each participant has their own unique experiences to share. We will sometimes walk around as a group, but then other times we may separate from each other while getting caught up in something that personally resonates with our inner self. It’s OK to loose time while photographing. Walking and exploring like a stray dog.
What is the aim of this travel photo workshop?
Teaching and inspiring
Our aim is to assist you with making a personal photographic essay - wherein you explore how you can translate what presents itself along the journey into the emotions of the story you want to communicate through photogaphs. This will enable you to tell the story of this adventure in your own unique visual voice.
In order to accomplish this we will lecture on several separate topics such as low light photography, composition, becoming comfortable photographing strangers, as well as environmental portrait photography using natural light. Although we give lectures, the emphasis is on hands-on learning. An organised photoshoot with Russian subjects will also be part of the workshop. For these portrait shoots, we will explain our workflow with film and digital cameras, light metering, zone system and film choice.
As we are travelling from destination to destination, we will have time to edit and select our best images. We will regularly review yours and other participants’ images through group critiques, individual feedback and make suggestions. Towards the end of the trip we will assist you to turn your best images into a coherent photographic essay.
What is included?
- All accommodations (incl. breakfast) from check-in on arrival in Vladivostok on May 7, till departure from Moscow on May 27
- All train tickets from Vladivostok to Moscow
- Advice on visa arrangements for Russia
- Ebook "For the Right Reasons" - Becoming comfortable photographing strangers.
- A group translator
- Fee for Model shoot
What is not included?
- Arrival flight to Vladivostok and departure flight from Moscow
- Visa costs (we will provide advisory)
- Health, travel and other insurance valid for Russia
- Lunches and dinners
- Any other local transport, taxis and busses when exploring
- Any other costs and all expenses of a personal nature such as room service, phone, laundry, internet access etc.
What gear to bring?
The way we travel is basic and light, since we believe that this helps us connecting to the people we meet and their lives will present us with more visually interesting moments.
Participants will need to bring a dSLR or rangefinder camera, a laptop computer with photo editing software and an external hard drive. We recommend prime lenses, anything between 28mm, 35mm and 50mm (full frame equivalent) with a relative fast and wide aperture (1.4, 1.8, 2 or 2.8) in order to photograph in low light situations. It is recommended that participants bring extra memory cards, extra camera batteries and all necessary battery chargers for their equipment.
How can I join?
If you are interested, you will want to register as soon as possible to reserve a spot for this workshop. The amount of participants on this travel photo workshop will be limited. To book your space, please send an e-mail to birgitkrippner@me.com