Being a big fan of his work as well as one his students, I’m excited to announce that renowned documentary photographer Thatcher Cook will be back in the Netherlands, in the city of Utrecht, on 3, 4 and 5 February 2017 to host a weekend long workshop on documentary photography and storytelling.
Please note that the weekend workshop is full. There are 2 places left for the masterclass on Thursday Feb 3rd!
[Jump to pricing & registration]
Program photography workshop
We will kick-off with drinks on Friday evening. Utrecht has as an old city center with beautiful canals which are particularly lovely by night. We will have a chance to talk a little bit about the history of the area and get a feel for the workshop’s location.
On Saturday morning, we will meet in one of Utrecht’s famous medieval, vaulted cellars. This particular cellar is now a beautiful, modern meeting space. It will be our work space on Saturday and Sunday.
Thatcher will start the workshop with a lecture on storytelling through photography. We will discuss field techniques: how do you approach your surroundings? How can you photograph people in their natural environment? And last but not least, how do you tell a story through your photographs?
Practical documentary photography
After the lecture, we will go out and photograph. Thatcher will work with students in groups of 3 or 4 to give everyone a chance to ask questions and put into practice what we discussed.
Utrecht’s city center is a perfect mix of very old and very new, water ways and walk ways, alley’s and a busy shopping district. There are also some beautiful historic building (church, tower, town houses) nearby. In other words, a lot of variation. Last year’ workshop featured everything, from beautiful photos taken of people in the church to portfolio’s focused entirely on travelers in and around the train station.
Saturdays are lively so there will be plenty of opportunity for storytelling photography.
We will spend Sunday putting together a selection of our favorite photographs and having Thatcher look at them as well. You’ll get a different perspective on your own work: what is your particular style? How do the photographs you took fit with the rest of your portfolio? How do the photos work together? And which story are you telling with them?
By having Thatcher look at your work and making a selection of your best work of the previous day, you’ll get a professional’s view on your work and learn about yourself as a photographer.
We will end the day by looking at everyone’s portfolio selection. One of the best moments of the workshop!
About photographer Thatcher Cook
Thatcher started photographing at age 12, when he got his first camera and asked his dad to drop him at the nearby circus. His favorite picture of that day can be found here.
He spent many years photographing in remote areas all over the world, working for NGO’s but also finding time for his own projects. His work covers Tajikistan, Bulgaria, Kampala, Oeganda, Indonesia, Eritrea, Azerbaijan, Alaska, Gaza, Niger, China and many other countries. He lived in Tajikistan where he did a full year documentaty project and he received a Fullbright scolarship to do a project in Kyrgyzstan. He lived there for 7 months and worked on the series which lead to the beautiful book, ‘Black Apple’.
Thatcher teaches workshops on documentary photography and storytelling all over the world. Among these are week-long workshops in Turkey, Spain, Cuba and Darjeeling.
Master class & private lessons
While in the Netherlands, Thatcher will be teaching a masterclass for a maximum of 4 students. It will take place on Friday 3rd of February. The tuition fee is 99 euro per student.
On Monday 6th of February there is some room for private mentoring sessions. Should you like to have a private mentoring on that date, please contact us (e-mail & form below) for times
Cost & practical info
Whom for? This workshop is aimed at anyone with a love for (or interest in) documentary photography. It is suitable for both beginning and advanced photographers. There will be professional photographers as well as Instagram pro’s. Thatcher is an inspiring mentor for any photographer who is looking to further develop his or her voice in storytelling.
Language: The workshop will be taught in English.
Tuition: €129 euro per person
Maximum number of participants: 12
Program:
- Friday February 3rd, 18:00: borrel
- Saturday February 4th, 09:00-17:00: lecture, shoot
- Sunday February 5th, 10:00-17:00: editing, critique
Lodging, meals and transportation are not included. Should you need recommendations as to hotels and guest houses, please let me know.
Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands. We’ll be based in a beautiful, well appointed old vaulted cellar on the canals.
How to register for Thatcher’s photography workshop
Should you want to join the February workshop in the Netherlands, pleas send me an email (1op1 @ eljadaae . nl) or give me a call on +31 6 83945471 (Central European Time).
Hope to see you there!