Participants’ photos

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Participants’ comments

 

There is a british saying - "those who can, do and those who can't, teach" - and indeed, judging from my profession the best surgeons are usually unable to transmit their knowledge; insofar as their talent and ingenuity is what drives them, and this cannot be easily transferred. So,  I I did not know what to expect from a Magnum workshop..

I couldn’t have  been more pleasantly surprised ! Nikos kept proving , again and again, how someone who is a (generally accepted) master in his work and has acquired a place as one of the main photographers of the 20th century, can also be a  simple and down to earth person:

His immense patience kept surprising me, day after day: When I thought that he would have had enough going through another bunch of   amateur's photos, he manifested  kindness coupled with insight while critiquing our photos. He  constantly managed to stay acutely interested, after hours of looking into photos, to  adjust his level of critique  to different photographer levels, without appearing either  patronising or bored. Every photo would appear to be an opportunity to delve deep into the nature of photography; this is  not a course about  flashes and lenses and f-stops; indeed, it presupposes you have reached an appropriate technical level, going beyond that, trying to understand the nature of photography, why some photos move us  and confuse and grasp us in such a way ; an academic level teaching from someone who at the same time is a real photographer. Someone who can gravitate at the same time between being the artist and the critic, the producer of art and the academic (a combination that would be normally unthinkable!).

The course is not for the faint hearted ; it is intensive and demanding , not because of Nikos' demands or attitude (on the contrary , he is relaxed as can be) but because you will be surrounded by talented, motivated photographers , everyone of which will be doing his/her best.  This is not a course on sunsets and cute babies - but you will hear intelligent and thought provoking quotes on photography, that most people would have to spend years reading to finding; from the non-descriptive power of photography to the importance of light and to the language and balance of images..

One could keep on talking about the  course;  what was most interesting was that half of the  participants Addis  course have followed his previous workshops. Probably this is the greatest compliment to the workshop.

I am looking forward to my next session with Nikos..

Christos Georgalas, Greece

The workshop of Nikos changed my photographic vision and belief. In something I always though was photography but nobody had told me before.

He changed my way of photographing, he make me understand the importance of the frame edges, what to think when you shoot, he brought my photography to a new level, and it took me one year to digest what I've learned in those days.

Nikos is the old hard core street photographer, and one of the finest in the Magnum group (is not only me to say it, but other Magnum photographers), I say this because what you can learn from this kind of photographers, nobody else is able to teach you.

I have learned to compose better, to have more attention to what is in my frame, to slow down and think and shoot, I have learned to edit pictures in a more selective way choosing only the great pictures not the good ones, to be ruthless in editing..

Jacopo Quaranta, Italy

Nikos workshops are not only about photography - which he shares with us from his profound background and his wonderful humanistic point of view - but about life, how to become a more authentic personality and by the way a better photographer.

Thank you again Nikos for great 10 days in Addis.

Jan Gott, Austria

Reflecting on the workshop in Varanasi I can first of all say that I am happy that I joined the workshop and that I am satisfied with the whole experience. The structure really suited my way of going about things. Being free during the day to go and photograph wherever an whatever I wanted and not necessarily going out in groups is something I could appreciate and enjoy. It forced me to look around me, find my subjects and focus on how I would translate what I saw and felt into a photograph. Keeping in mind that an editing session followed added that extra bit of positive pressure.

And those editing sessions in the evening were of course crucial for the learning process ! The setting with the terrace, some food and beer was great. Your projection setup is really great. Listening to your comments was most enriching. I found it particularly interesting when you analysed all the elements that make up an image. I learned a lot from those remarks about form, content, balance and trying to go beyond whether it concerned my images or those of the other students. That is why it was very important and interesting that we did the editing and image evaluation as a group, these were moments of sharing and contribution (sometimes also moments of confrontation with oneself). We all benefited from the image critiques, guidelines to improve our skills and image quality.

About the stay I can say that I liked the fact that we stayed enough days in Varanasi so we could really get in touch with this very special Indian city. But maybe one day less in Varanasi and one more day in Delhi might be a suggestion  … (I also did find photographing in Delhi a lot more difficult and tiring). The total workshop duration of 9/10 days is perfect.

As far as I am concerned I found the choices for accommodation really fine. The hotel in Varanasi did not only have a great terrace but it also matched the Indian scene we found outside the hotel. Personally I don’t like to find myself in “golden cages” in these countries, it does not correspond with how I see traveling and experiencing those parts of the world.

I enjoyed the company of the group too (about the right size).  For communication it is never obvious when a nationality or language group is in the majority even if all know that the workshop language is English however towards the end when we all got to know each other better it worked out alright. Anyway, I was really happy to be able to combine my interest in India with my interest in photography. 

Rose Vandepitte, Belgium

I have previously attended a photography workshop with Nikos Economopoulos (Karpathos-Greece, Easter 2008) and it was the most beautiful ten consecutive days of my life.

I asked to participate at the Varanasi workshop because I admire Nikos as a photographer and completely trust him as a person. I regretted it immediately after I signed up, because my fear of the unknown took over and I was about to call and cancel, despite all the shame that I would feel.

Fortunately I did not do it. I got a whole lot out of this workshop. The daytime was dedicated to shooting, and during the evenings we were showing our day’s work. Niko’s observations and criticism were made in such a way that made us feel pushed forward, he has a way of encouraging you and making you put yourself in every image you make and feel confident about it. We never felt put down by a comment or a remark.

There was an atmosphere of affection and solidarity all the way through. (He even helped me with my laptop..)

Varanasi is magical..

                  

Eva Vassileiou, Greece

The Sanliurfa workshop was inspiring and exciting both with regard to the photos taken by the other members of the group as well as the area and the cities we were visiting.

Further, I enjoyed the evening sessions.

I like the way Nikos criticizes the pictures of the photographers and gives them advice each on his/her individual professional levels.

Nobody has to fear to be embarrassed - on the contrary, I was motivated not only by the comments and advice to become a better

photgrapher but felt also supported by the other group members.

Monica Trachsel, Switzerland

I had the chance to participate in one of Nikos Economopoulos’  photographic journeys-workshops.

The unique and very particular way that he has in guiding you without giving you recipes, while respecting your personal worldview, turns the whole photographic experience into a broad aesthetic and intellectual experience, as well as pure joy.

Within just a few days, I discovered that the chaotic world around me has balance and poetry.

Maria Spyropoulou, Greece

This is my third workshop with Nikos. It has been very helpfull to me in order to discover what kind of photography I want to do in the near future and to begin to develop my own style. I think Turkey is a great place to take pictures and I have the intention to go back several times and make a solid photographic portfolio of the country. The atmosphere, participants, place...all have been great.

Fernando Rituerto Pineiro, Spain

The workshops of Nikos Economopoulos are a great teaching experience. For him there is no “must” or “don’t”. I was suddenly confronted with all my past choices in a way that forced me to go backwards and look for all those things that I had previously discarded in order to re-assess them. At least I now feel closer to the truth. And I thank him for this and for everything else.  

Antonis Kelaidis, Greece

 

In just one week much of the information I had accumulated in a previous photo course, just clicked and started to make more sense.

I loved your workshop.

You made me see Istanbul and it's people very differently.

I cherish the opportunity to find out the stories behind some of your great works.

Plus I discovered with amazement the incredibly humble and warm person behind the fascinating photographs that I had grown to admire.

And as a bonus, you introduced us to Ara Guler who even signed books for us.

Thanks, looking forward to seeing you again.

From now on will always be looking for flying crocodiles..

Mircea Staiculescu, Romania

Being on the road with Nikos for a month traveling through Turkey and Georgia was a true adventure.

For those interested in documentary photography, this style of travel produces photo opportunities faster than you can click.

We were 8 people traveling together, and Nikos’ unpretentious, genuine and friendly personality really brought out the best of each person in the group.

He is also a skilled teacher and gives great guidance in the important work of trying to find your own personal style. Though his approach is different than on other workshops, focusing on selection and feedback rather than instructions, I truly believe this is his greatest asset.

Let the results speak for themselves, and all you need to do is take a look at the works produced by his participants on this website.

I can not wait till next time I will be joining again!

Terje Abusdal, Norway

Most of all I would like to thank you for inspiring me.

I'm still in a learning process in photojournalism, but I felt I needed to know more about photography before moving on.

I really enjoyed turning things around. Working with single visual impacts, instead of storytelling photojournalism, took me back to the roots of photography. I've learned a lot by doing so.

In a way I tried to copy you and those that inspire you, Cartier-Bresson etc, and where that in a way sounds like a bad approach (instead of finding my own style), it made me look at pictures in a new way.

In photojournalism I'm supposed to tell a story that has to be told directly. Where the message of the picture is delivered instantly.

On this trip I learned how to make pictures that make the viewer look an extra time. Where there is no instant message, but where the pictures create curiosity.

It is another way in photography. And a style I will try to combine with photojournalism.

Lars Just, Danemark

I did not know what to expect from a Greek maestro who lives and travels half the year in his cool VW T3.

From the first hour of meeting Nikos in Pristina, my perspective on human relations and photography changed.  

His no-nonsense approach, opinions and advice delivered always with respect, kindness and often times, humour; plus his wealth of life and photographic experience; taught me to be free, take risks, challenge the norm and focus on making a compelling and difficult photo instead of fiddling with technical issues.

What is also priceless, is his personal interest in the places and people we visited. Without his thoughtful commentary on the historical and cultural background to frame the environment we were in and his interesting friends who joined us during the week, it would have been a totally superficial tourist visit to Kosovo.

I can't wait to join him again.

Keng-Fun Loh, Singapore

Attending a workshop with Nikos as your teacher, critic and guide into the world of creating the best images that you can produce, is both a challenging and inspiring experience.

This was my second workshop with Nikos,  and it was incredible!! How he teaches you to look at a photograph and "not just see it" makes me compose each individual frame with an more critical eye and deeper understanding on how to make a photograph come alive.

With his encouragement and strong commitment to getting the best from me, he guided me in the direction that I wanted to grow. Ultimately the week with Nikos was a very rewarding experience!

On another note just spending time with him, over dinner or lunch, listening to his stories, is great. Traveling around parts of Istanbul with him on tram's, trains and taxi's looking for stadiums, they are all great memories that will be with me for a longtime.

Aisling Murray, Irlande

My third on the road workshop and again another amazing experience. 

New goals set not only for the workshop but to consider and start tackling when you return home. 

Nikos simply does not give you a break!

Looking at your work, he sets personal goals for each participant and demands to see more in every critique. That is one of Nikos’s major strong points as a teacher along with his contagious passion for photography. 

With such motivation and challenge, I find myself driven to accept the challenge and push for more.  He simply keeps me marching to make the best out of his workshops. Most important I see it better.  Having your work compared against other photographers help you see what you need to work on next. You see your points of strength and weakness against theirs and helps to learn and set goals. It was a nice experience to run into other participants that you met in earlier workshops and see how they grew as photographers since the last time you met them. 

This workshop was the best of the three for the reasons above and for the fact that it was held in Mumbai. For me it was a portrait heaven and almost everywhere we went was a great shooting location. We were also blessed with a group of participants from all over the world that were extremely dedicated to photography and committed to making the best out of this workshop.   

The most special thing about these workshops is that for a week you get to switch off and escape from everything and think nothing but doing the photography that you want and love.  It is just you with your camera on the road. 

I look forward to join other future workshops with Nikos and highly recommend it as a great learning and fun experience!  

Fatma Khamis, Kuwait

I feel really blessed to be part of the community of “ontheroad”.

Nikos is an extraordinary mentor for everyone no matter which level one is working on. And, besides the joy of the journey it's the great company of all the warm people you meet in this  workshop.

The things we have learned from Nikos are starting to work in my mind and i hope to begin seeing not just recording something.

I really enjoyed it a lot. I really look forward to the next workshop.

Jan Gott, Austria

I'll get straight to the point, the “On The Road” workshop I attended in Istanbul was the single best photography class I've ever taken.

Nikos is an inspiring teacher who perfectly combines a nurturing, generous spirit with a rigorous critical eye and revealing analysis of each student's work.

He pushes each participant to look harder, go deeper, shoot better.

Over the course of the week, I greedily collected the pearls of wisdom he would drop about everything from composition to lens choice to how to most effectively approach shooting in the street, and I realized that I was learning as much from what he had to say about my classmates' photographs as my own.

Through it all Nikos imposes no single viewpoint about what photography should be, but instead pushes each student to fulfill his or her own vision.

I felt I made a huge leap with my work.

Finally, “On The Road” is a fantastic way to experience a new city, and to have seven glorious days with the luxury of thinking about nothing except photography.

Adam Brooks, USA

First of all I would like to thank Nikos and the participants very much for the workshop in Istanbul.

The learning experience of the workshop was absolutely immense.

It was participant-centered, and this provided not only close supervision but also great space for creativity and room for development.

Further, I have really enjoyed meeting with Nikos and the other participants. For me meeting with Nikos was like ‘downloading wisdom’ from a master photographer like himself but the challenge lied in reflecting that wisdom on my photographs.

In addition, I think participants added much to my experience with their diverse approaches to photography and they were great company.

Given his credentials, I think Nikos is very modest while professing strongly his mastery secrets and has a very nice personality.

I feel privileged to have been a part of this whole experience and hope to get together with them sometime in the near future at another workshop.

Tunc  Evcimen, Turkey

Working with Nikos is an unforgettable and very educative photographic experience.

Nikos is a great teacher, a person who finds the good points in everybody’s work and gives you the way to take the benefits of it and arrive at a higher level.

During the workshop I found myself seeing things differently, from a photographic point of view, and he stayed beside me, pushing me towards finding a more creative way, educating my photographic eye and explaning to all of us always with patience, why a photo is not strong enough, why an other is powerful, what is missing and what is important.

So everybody was going deeper and deeper everyday.

I saw also the other participants’ work and I had the feeling that this process was working for all of them in a creative way.

Nikos  Baroutis, Greece

To go on a workshop with Nikos is one big learning experience. It means to challenge yourself in ways that at least I don't do in my everyday life.

I really appreciate his strong opinions and straightforwardness. To talk about photography and show your daily work to him is very rewarding because of his profound knowledge and total honesty.

I strongly recommend anyone interested in this type of photography to go on a workshop with Nikos.

I'm truly grateful for what I have learned from him and of course I will return for another workshop.

Theo Erbenius, Sweden

Nikos, not only is an unquestioned photographer, but also a direct, open person.

Adding his communicability; a precious adviser..

Thanks for the great time..

Nikos Rigopoulos, Greece

It's all about sensibility, involvement, balance and control. This is mostly what I have learnt from Nikos workshop.

From my day-to-day photos, Nikos directed my feelings and revealed what is the best in me.

I started to be more conscious about what I was photographing, what I should photograph, what approach I should apply and what new direction I should explore.

I have learned that getting close to people is the key, searching for the right setting and capturing the action at the right moment are essential.

Nikos workshop is highly rewarding for those wishing to progress and confront themselves with street photography.

Nikos workshop is a powerful human experience where I have met other interesting friendly photographers from different backgrounds, cultures and objectives in life.

Nikos outspoken, honest critical look and simplicity, as

personal qualities, make the workshop unique and very valuable for anybody wishing to move to next level in photography.

Thank you Nikos for your true sympathy.

Jerome Percherancier, France

Thank you very much for a great yet challenging week in Marrakesh.

Being ‘On the Road’ with you helped me to understand what the street photography is all about. This workshop allowed me to discover photography once again. Your advices and suggestions helped me in choosing a right direction for my future photographic journey.

Time spent with other participants and possibility to see their work helped me to understand how much photography dependents on personality. In fact it inspired me to be a better person.

I am sure I will see you again...

Vojciech Ryzinski, Poland

Ok..it was really my pleasure to meet you and be part of the Damascus workshop..

A really nice experience and a good start for myself and my photos. The workshop has encouraged me to become better and learn more ...

In the one week I learned from your comments and your suggestions what I should look for and what to avoid. You gave me directions for finding my own style  and to experiment on that.

Now being back inCyprus, believe it or not, I feel like a "new " person. I know this might sound  strange but the one week that I spent time with myself and my camera and later having your comments about my work made me fall in love once again with the world of photography, keep taking photos, love the people and try more.

Elena Michael, Cyprus

This workshop provided me with a new prism at taking photographs including more sentiment and injecting more thought and content to my work.

As a newcomer to "Street photography", the workshop allowed me to quickly get into a pace and experiment with this new to me approach, producing some fair results quite quickly.

 

Invaluable was the fact that I gained a lot from the positive evaluation by Nikos of my other coworkers' work. This evaluation demonstrated to me things to avoid once I get further down in my own journey and also experience paradigms of good quality work that I could try and experiment with.

Things that take ages to discover, are presented to you during one week's teamwork.

Absolutely a positive experience with a lot of new friends that I really enjoyed!

Giorgos Zografidis, Greece

Thank you for another amazing workshop.  

I feel that not only I noticed the great improvement of the quality of my work, but also feel that Nikos is not only a great teacher & mentor but also a great friend.  

Also interacting with talented photographers from all over the world added a lot to the experience.  

What is amazing about this workshop was the fact that all attendees were at different levels.  Being able to provide assistance to all showed Nikos's ability as a great teacher.  

I think each one of us returned home with many goals to pursue & ideas to improve their work.  I am more clear about what I want to photograph, what lens I want to buy next, and needing to work on my weak 'editing' skills.

I just wanted to thank you and thank all attendees for this great workshop.  I learned a lot from each one of you!  

I am really looking forward to being on the road again.

Fatma Khamis, Kuwait

I want to thank you for eight days of ups and downs, of believing and disbeliveing in the own skills and for your remarkable approach in pushing us gently forward but never hiding something or letting something be unspoken.

You treated us with your admirable respect in every human being and your humanity which let me felt comfortable in every situation of the course.

Thank you for answering all my questions with so much patience. I learned so much from you - professionally and personally. The only thing i'm angry about is that  you did not let me pay the taxi to the airport ;-)

I hope to see you again.

Jan Gott, Austria

I came to the workshop feeling dissatisified with what I was doing with my photography and hoped that the workshop would help me find a more definite direction.

I was particularly impressed with your ability to look at the work of the members of the workshop group, assess where we were up to photographically and individually give us feedback and suggestions based on this and on the work we did progressively throughout the workshop.

The practical information you gave us (eg about 'visual impact', about taking care with all elements that fill the frame of a photograph - not just the main subject, etc), I also found useful. As well, I enjoyed the 'journey' of the workshop itself - seeing everyone's work each evening and hearing about our different explorations of Istanbul (particularly those to areas away from the tourist hordes). 

However, the main overall impact of the workshop for me was that it made me realise and accept that, if I am to continue seriously with my photography, I do need to change my focus. Doing things the same old way is no longer an option. It will take me some time to properly work out what this should be, but the workshop has given me the impetus to make a start, as well as some constructive ideas.

I am very grateful for that.

 

Michael Fuery, Australia

All along this workshop, I've learnt and understood many many things, photographically and personally. 

My vision of photography has considerably changed.

After these eight days, I feel really motivated to carry on learning, practicing and enjoying photography. 

This experience was very fruitful and positive. 

Moreover, I appreciated that you give a chance to every person.

Thank you for all that !

Cecile Barou, France

Thank you again for that week in Istanbul.

I had a realy good time. All was great, the workshop and the city.

At the beginning, when you saw my previous work, i received "a bucket of cold water on my head".

And that was exactly what i needed.

My aproach to photograhy has changed totally.

The way I look at photography now is more mature.

During a week spent at the workshop i feel i achieved something I'm proud of.

The only bad thing is i start loving this city and now I'm planing to go back there and do some more work..

Once more big thanks for all.

Jacek Piaseczny, Poland

My sincere thanks for the exciting workshop in Istanbul.

I really enjoyed the time with you and the other participants.

It opened my eyes for things I have been looking for (getting away from boring pictures).

I certainly have lots to think about and practicing to do for some months now and I am sure I will produce better pictures in the end.

 

Leif Sandberg, Sweden

(…) For me personally, it was a very strong photographic experience.

Upon my return to Cyprus, I have caught myself turning away from previous photographic preferences and looking for something different, with more depth(…)

Marios CHristofi, Cyprus

I wanted to thank you so much for your dedication and for offering all help possible for all the participants.  I can't forget that you stayed up one class time until 2 a.m. reviewing & editing my work.

The workshop was one of the best hands on learning experience that I had since I took interest in photography. Mainly because we watched you daily critique and edit every participant's work right after a full day of shooting.  This process has pushed me to think seriously about my work and the changes needed to make in order to improve. It allowed me to compare my work with others and this gave me new ideas for future projects and ways to improve.  Not only that, we had discussions on equipment and why some of us use certain cameras or laptops.  Which was really useful for someone like me who never cared for the technical side of photography.

 

It was hard to go back to work and my usual routine because I will not be photographing as much as I did during the workshop even though one of my main tasks at my work is photography.  Photography as full time job is not the same as the photography we did during the workshop which is the kind of photography I dream of pursuing one day.  As a result of this workshop, I am more focused about my personal photography goals inside Kuwait and I am planning to commit myself to planning photography trips outside Kuwait.  I am trying to commit myself more to my personal photography.  I forgot how much joy that used to bring me and that workshop was a great reminder.

Thank you especially for being tough on me!  I didn't come all the way to hear what I would like to hear.  I wanted someone to push or dare me for a change and you did!  Honestly I haven't put my 24mm on the side.  But I am crazy over the 35 mm. And that is a great start.

Fatma Khamis, Kuwait

My experience in Beirut, participating in a photography workshop with Nikos was not only BRILLIANT and AMAZING, it was something more!

The daily editing sessions were key to learning more

not just about my own work and what direction it might take, but I learn’t so much from everyone else too and what you taught us in those sessions.

I now look at a photograph with critical eyes and less emotion, I want the photo to tell me a story, in and of itself.

I compose differently, I use my camera more

effectively (I think & hope) everywhere I look I am trying to compose a photograph, not just when

I feel it intuitively but when it might not be the ideal situation photographically. I am more patient with myself and the elements around me.

But something that I took away from the workshop in Beirut, you said it a number of times but especially towards the end of the week. You said “Take pleasure

in what you photograph” and that is exactly what I am doing more so than ever and I am loving every moment of this new enlighten journey I am embarking

on with my camera!

Aisling Murray, Ireland-USA

(…) This sounds so cliché (…), but this

workshop has changed my life!

The 35mm has not left my camera and I am really enjoying composing in a way that is more interesting.  

(…) A few things that you said about my photography really shocked me but shocked me more to realise that you were right... still amazes me that you have made an observation that was so right from looking at my photos alone.  Thanks..

In terms of feedback, I think the workshops in the evening were really enjoyable, especially being to learn from other participants' work and your comments of them.

Your help with interesting things to do prior to the workshop was also very helpful.  

The only thing that I would ask is for you to be even harder with your critiques and provide perhaps some sort of direction as to where each one of us could go...through each evening discussion as well as at the end of the workshop.  

I think your guidance to each of us is very valuable and we could do with more of it, well I could at least.

(…) Not sure where photography is heading for me, but I have been loving every moment of it so far!  

I have learnt more in Beirut than I have in the last 2 years!

Liz Loh-Taylor, Singapore-Australia

I've been thinking the past two weeks, trying to re-evaluate my photos with a better, more critical eye.

Seeing how you evaluate each photo, examining each element, their relation to each other, and how they come together to make a photograph changed the way I look at photographs now. And I think this is what I gained most from the workshop: I can already see that your comments were pretty much spot on about the portfolio I presented, but I'm still a long ways from being a decent editor.

I've already started heavily studying the works of other photographers and I'll probably do a re-edit of that portfolio in six months to see how much I've progressed.

The other benefit from the workshop was that I'm more focused in shooting. You saw this change during the course of the week, so I don't think I need to elaborate more. Now I just need to work harder to make good photos.

(…) Completely changing my photography in a week is almost impossible, but I think you've pointed me in the right direction. The real

benefits of the workshop will come months from now if I follow through on two things:

1. 1.learn to recognize a good photo and
   

2. 2.put what makes those good photos good into my photos (but not in a way that I'm copying).
   

It was a fun and helpful week. I'll work to make better photos now!

James Wellence, USA

I would like to say how much I enjoyed the Istanbul workshop, from all the photographic advice and guidance that you gave me to the pleasure of exploring the city and walking through areas that I might not have visited on a normal 'city break' trip.

The maps and descriptions of the various neighbourhoods proved very useful and it gave me a focus on how to structure the day.

I always looked forward to the editing sessions in the evening and all the feedback you were able to give.

Each day I tried to refine my photography, taking into account what you had said the previous evening.

By the end of the workshop I could see my technique improving and I was very happy with the final edited sequence.

I feel that the experience was very positive and the effect it has had on my photography is that I have the confidence to get closer to the subject and also to dig a little deeper and not just take the obvious 'tourist' type of photograph.

Andrew Fraser, United Kingdom

…The workshop in Istanbul has been a great experience for me. Some points I got from it are the following:

 

I trust myself a little bit more and  now I think my personal view is as valid as any other to describe a city or a place. I have to work much on this subject: What do objetivity and subjetivity mean in photography?

 

Moreover, Istanbul is a fantastic city to make oneself questions such as: What do contemporaneity mean?

 

I have become more motivated to go through the work of different photographers…

 

Fernando Retuerto Pineiro, Spain

The workshop was great. The city, the reviews and your advice helped me out to feel more confident and find a different approach to photography.

Roc Herms Pont, Spain

I work as a photographer for the United Nations, my perception of photography and photographic style has been somewhat different to the one of Nikos Economopoulos.

The workshop was amazing, it provided me with a new, fresh look.  My way of seeing has changed significantly since then.  

The organization was great and Nikos has been an excellent teacher and mentor (and hopefully a friend).  His comments throughout the workshop encouraged us to try harder and not only to reach our limits but also go beyond them, to take photographic risks and try and see the world around us differently.  We were encouraged to go beyond the simple record of places, people and moment.

At the end of the day, you do not usually get a MAGNUM photographer to spend a week with you and your photos, and seriously help you develop your way of seeing, but Nikos did exactly that.

The number of participants was the ideal one, not too small and not unmanageably big.  Interaction and comments were encouraged and indeed helped us all to see our own photos in a different way.  

Nerris Markogiannis, Greece-Sudan

The workshop with Nikos was a great experience and a wonderful event. The evening reviews were inspiring as Nikos proved to be not only a gifted photographer but also a patient teacher and reviewer.

He truly possesses the didactical skills to explain what elements are required in building up a good photograph.

Naturally the workshop was frustrating at the same time as one comes to realize what skills are required in order to perform photography at this level.

Nonetheless, it is definitely learning process that I want to experience again, so I’m studying my agenda and Nikos’ website to try to decide when I can sign up again.

Margreeth Vroom, Netherlands

(…) During this workshop, (the) edition pointed clearly that the kind of connection I establish with people and the environment while photographing them reflects on the kind of photography i make. Thus through photography I got an interesting connection with istanbullus, with the city and with myself.

In that intense week I went hardly into the search for the purest photographic substance in Istanbul, photographing street scenes the whole days in different neighborhoods with a fixed 35mm in hands and no specific subject or assignment, but the mission to get very few shots, among hundreds, of these very dynamic moments in which things get right in the frame at the right time. At the end of the days, I think the editions had very high standards and at the same time were didatic, with helpful comments and good discussing with the participants - a very stimulating group, with people I really enjoyed meeting.

After the workshop, I'm satisfied with the portfolio I made. And feel inspired to keep producing my personal work. Besides, with your edition and coordination the photography workshop potencialized the warm experience I had at my first time in Istanbul.

(…) They've been very helpful and showed me a different path to follow in my photographic work.

Luis Ushirobira, Brazil

I'll never forget that week. It was like a revolution for me.

Nikos and his point of view really impressed me and that workshop opened my eyes and showed me new worlds and possibilities. Words can't express how great everything was. I felt so much free in Istanbul and I was so close to people who I didn't know very well.

It was much more about changing my ideals than my photographic view.

Mehri Jamshidi, Iran

My name is Seungwoo Chae. I'm working as a photographer for a newspaper in Korea. I was feeling that something was missing in my photography. I wanted to know what I needed.

Consequently, it was great idea to participate to Nikos' workshop. He told me and showed me what was 'photographic'. I felt to return to beginning. I think I could start again.

Seungwoo Chae,  Korea

I've learnt loads of things and I met very nice people who hopefully i'll see again. I improved my way to get close to the city people, who allowed me to capture intimate moments.

This workshop also helped me in how to become honest to myself taking pictures and how to capture the humanity of the moment. Anyway, my conclusion is that I knew less than I thought, which motivates me a lot. Now I see how to work.

Thank you for show me things that its no possible to find in books and to guide me in the road of my way of life, photography. 

Carolina Santos, Spain

Two words about something I don’t understand. About something that has been in me for over a decade. A tale that I had made up in my mind (…) In September 2009, I packed two changes of clothes and two cameras and came to Istanbul. Expectations? Countless. Reservations? Even more. ‘Fairy-tales do not exist’ I said to myself. But what I experienced in a week was more than I ever expected or even imagined. (…) I have been in a photographic frenzy ever since. I carry my camera with me all the time, everywhere. (…) Can no longer do otherwise.

Giorgos Savakis, Greece

I liked very much not only the editing process but the general discussions we had about photography, and the way you challenged everyone and frankly shared your opinions. In my opinion, the more opinionated, the better. (…) I liked the way you emphasized the idea of creating the portfolio from pictures with a similar approach. I feel I am on the way to developing a style. 

Matt Kamholtz, USA

The workshop was a great experience for me and I indeed agree that it brought together people who otherwise probably would have never met.  And for me, that is what life is all about! 

(…) The number of people participating in the workshop was perfect.  I think the small group is essential to having the opportunity to sit together and give enough time to each person to evaluate and discuss his or her photos. I liked the right mix of freedom and direction.  (…) I really feel that I got to know the many faces of the city with its many diverse photographic opportunities. I think presenting other photographers’ work and meeting local photographers contributed to the quality of the workshop. Your honesty and way of critique was constructive and helpful.  I feel that I walked away from the workshop with specific ‘phrases’ that I will think about in the future when photographing.  (…)

Overall, while it might be quite obvious, I learned that photography is very hard work and that you have to take many pictures to have only a few good ones.  In the past, I think that taking lots of crappy pictures often discouraged me to go on.  This workshop taught me what to look for and what elements in a shot make a good photograph. I also think that I became more comfortable to connect to people through photography.  Before this workshop I sometimes felt that I was in a way ‘stealing’ pictures, but when you share a cup of tea with some fishermen and they let you photograph them it feels that our paths have crossed and both sides gave something to the moment/experience.  I was inspired to learn more about photography and then focus on a specific project where I can photograph with a specific aim.

Josie Bicanic,  Bosnia

 

I guess the first thing I would like to say is that I really enjoyed the whole experience. I liked the relaxed structure of the workshop, it was flexible and we were free to make our own plans for the day and to shoot pretty much whatever we chose. (…) In terms of the effect it had on my work, I feel I learned a lot and I feel more confident in my photography as a result. I don’t show many people my work, but all my friends and family have seen my Istanbul folio.

Lisa Gilby, Australia

I sometimes felt like a first year violin player in a master class. I do not mind feeling a bit stupid at times and think I profit a lot by learning of the best. I have learned a lot and will continue to do so for quite some time. And hopefully, I will be able to join other workshops (...)

I liked the approach very much - giving advice on the one hand and letting the participants find their own way on the other. And then, of course, the voyage was marvellous, extraordinary in the purest sense of the word.

Monica Trachsel, Switzerland