Nikos family name has something to do with economics. But don’t be mistaken, he is more the kind of person always happy, without any sense of saving its time, to be involved 200% in its works as a…. what? Teacher is an understatement for an attitude towards the rest of the world which helps you in advancing at a fast rate towards the excellency. Always saying what he thinks, if there is something he does not like, and helpful in finding the good sides to be www.ontheroad.greloped.

The Varanasi workshop was clearly the highlight of my India visit. Nikos’ advice after our first editing sessions that I should use only my 50mm lens and shoot only black and white was very valuable. After that I felt more relaxed and focused and could produce more consistent and better images. After coming home I have re-examined the Varanasi photos and I must say that I am pleased with the results. I would also like to thank for the great company during the workshop. During the daytime each student could work individually with her/his own problems. In the evenings we gathered together to discuss the results. This scheme worked out very well: you could see how the students progressed during the week. I felt that Nikos’ comments, even the critical ones, were to the point and always supportive. A specially memorable evening was when Nicos showed and discussed some of his own iconic images. I felt privileged to see and hear his thoughts on style, photography, art and life in general.

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:

learn to recognize a good photo and
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!

I feel privileged for having the opportunity to join Nikos’s workshops two times in six months. Seeing the way that he is present during the workshops and providing his continuous availability for sharing not only technical, but also esthetic and photographic language with different materials and stories makes me understand more the reason i felt always close to his photography. I remember several key inputs, which I see now how to reflect my view to my frames. I hope to hear as usual Nikos’s open and constructive comments in the next workshops as well, which help my www.ontheroad.grelopment a lot. Meeting so diverse cultures during the workshops is another pleasure which enriches it with no doubt!

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.

Addis Ababa was my second workshop with Nikos. I came back for two reasons: One, because I know he is a great teacher who brings out the best in you. He gives you honest and relevant feedback which helps you www.ontheroad.grelop more as a photographer in a week than you would normally in a year. Two, because he is a great guy also on a personal level, and he really knows how to make a group work together and have fun at the same time. Plus did I say most of his workshops takes place in exciting and exotic locations, with more motives that your mind can process? I am already looking at how soon I can go again..

The more workshops I do with Nikos the more I want to come back. Every place is different as the challenges to encounter. The good thing about coming back, is that he already knows how much we can achieve so he pressures us accordingly, and I think we most agree that our results get a bit better every time.
Like each new workshop is like starting from scratch, each day of it is also starting from scratch. In every meeting he would choose a few photos but the next morning we start again from blank. The days are long and intense, but for me it’s just pure joy. We have some good days but others we hit the wall. It’s inexplicable the pleasure we have when we manage to go over that wall. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t. But as Nikos well said: “We can have good days and bad days. But that is not important. What really matters is that we never lose the great feeling of wanting to go out and take photos. That, it is very important.” And I do hope, to never lose that feeling.
Niko, thank you again, and I am already looking forward to Argentina next month.

For me as a professional photojournalist, to be with Nikos takes me back to photography where surprise and curiosity are key elements, instead of telling the story as specific as possible – as many editors seek today. Working in a fast moving newsflow, photojournalism needs surprise to stop readers, and Niko’s photography does exactly that. It intrigues us and plays with our imagination. It moves us from the world of realism to the world of surrealism.
And a workshop with Nikos is a vital reminder of photography at its best: to show us the world in a way we don’t see it ourselves. And to be formulated by a teacher, not only extremely talented, but also a friendly and charismatic travel companion.
I’m already looking forward to my next workshop with Nikos Economopoulos.

“Just walking, seeing and saying nothing and seeing the result at the end of the day. Giving myself to the road and being on the road. Hearing the honest comments Seeing throw a window that dear Nikos opens to my eyes, and exploring my country Even myself more than it. My second workshop. I wait for the next chance”

No doubt about it, a workshop with Nikos is an extraordinary experience. To all potential participants: feelings of incompetence and dread are not uncommon during the first 2 days, no matter your photographic level. Then the magic happens: Nikos’ unparalleled expertise, judgement, and above all humanity come to the fore – inspiring and fostering better and better work from all participants as the days pass. The honest and down-to-earth approach which characterizes Nikos simply ensures that, at the end, regardless of level and interests, you will feel and act like a better photographer. The result: a portfolio to be proud of, a fresh ‘eye’ and energy for all future photographic endeavours, a new group of friends you can learn from, and a profound sense of belonging to a dispersed yet resourceful photographic community that is On the Road workshops.

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.

I recently returned from Nikos “Balkan Expedition”, although I have been back for three months, I don’t feel like I am anywhere near to returning to “normal life”. My experience during Nikos workshop was spectacular. Visited locations I would never have travelled to and energized to photograph there. I learned so much and experienced so much that I am sure it will take quite a while to fully assimilate. The symposium experience was truly flawless, from discussions and critiques with an honest opinion about your photography. And lets not forget the participants themselves, an amazing diverse and talented group who were a joy to be around and learned much from each other. If you are serious about wanting to become a better street photographer you can not go wrong with Nikos “Balkan Expedition” workshop. For myself, I am already thinking about my next Economopoulos experience.

I would like to express my gratitude to Nikos for being not only an attentive and demanding photography mentor, but also for being a humble, caring and infinitely friendly person. It was always a pleasure for us to share with him not only ideas about photography, but also numerous stories about his life and adventures. I feel that in that week my photographic skills moved to a completely new level. The first few days have been a bit of a strugle as I tried to implement Nikos’ technical suggestions and made sure I really followed his advice, but at the end the magic happened and I felt like my vision had changed once and forever.

Thank you for another great workshop. During my week in Athens I believe to have again improved my photographic skills and at the same time was able to acquire important knowledge on how to take pictures in difficult situations, i.e. in this case taking pictures of people having to live under precarious circumstances and taking to the streets. Athens during the financial crisis struck me as a city of strong social distinction with poverty becoming strongly visible in the streets of some areas and on the other hand still keeping its friendly, sunny side for which it also stands. I finally ended up trying to show these contrast in my pictures  ̶ as it seemed to me that focusing on one side only would not show an equitable picture of Athens in the situation of the financial crisis. There is still positive energy certainly among the young. I enjoyed the evening sessions with the other students in the workshop as always pleasant and informative. I am looking forward to the next workshop I will be able to attend.

It was a huge learning experience for me attending your workshop. The feedback and the criticism you gave, pushed me and challenged me to see better and improve myself. Although Sicily wasn’t very interesting for me photographically, I learned that no matter where you are, there are always good photos to be taken. I really enjoyed the company of the other participants, and also learned a lot from their work. Sharing your knowledge and insights with us was priceless. Thank you so much, and hopefully will join you soon on another photography adventure!!

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.

As a passionate photographer I was looking for a workshop that was not about pixels, gear and academic lectures.
Coincidentally, I discovered Nikos’ on the road workshops. The participants’ work immediately caught my eyes – and shortly after I found myself at the Istanbul workshop. It exceeded by far my expectations: Nikos’ joviality, patience, his guidance and incitement to try new ways and discover what might be dormant in oneself was incredible! It was manifest everyday in the pictures we “brought home” after long and exhausting walks in this staggering city. The vespertine meetings were fun as well. Thank you, Nikos, for your effort and thanks to all participants for the great atmosphere!