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 www.ontheroad.grelopment. 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.

The workshop and Nikos in particular have transformed my outlook as a photographer and will hopefully have a long-lasting impact in my work. I have genuinely appreciated Nikos’ insight and approach. During the workshop he managed to shed valuable light to the next steps needed ahead, in a practical, tangible, results-oriented and implementable manner, yet customised to each participant’s needs. Nikos has a unique way of guiding and helping the participants improve. He can be, at the same time, encouraging and motivating, while remaining ruthlessly honest when pointing mistakes and areas that need further work. Perhaps even more importantly, I am particularly grateful for his generosity in sharing and mentoring. Nikos has been remarkably open and welcoming and succeeded in reaffirming my enthusiasm, not only for photography but especially for documentary photography. I am looking forward to the next workshop and to new explorations.

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!

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.

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..

Working with Nikos in Istanbul was personally an eye-opener for me. His insight and way of seeing changed my entire approach to photography. If you want to take your photography to the next level and make meaningful images I highly recommend his workshops for you. This was my first workshop with Nikos and he impressed me so much that I’m hoping to repeat someday soon if time and work permits. Thank you, Nikos, for your patience and sharing your vision with me!

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.

I participated in 5 workshops with Nikos Economopoulos. He keeps guiding me so that I can keep defining my photographic style. Always pointing out and reminding to avoid cliches, déjà vu, mannerism, easy formulas, tricks, boring images and the list goes on. Always making sure we prioritize content and form to make strong images that are genuine and not pure repetitions of cheap art or just images describing a scene. He guides each participants at his/her own level and needs. He never imposes a style, he works with each participant’s own style. He is great at telling what is good and what is not good. He is not commercial. He is direct and really frank. In my opinion the most important is that he is fully engaged when editing and commenting on our work. When he sees a good image, it makes his day. It is evident that he loves to teach. Every one keeps improving. Once you are On the Road with Nikos you keep coming back. It’s just the way it is.

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 &amp 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.

It all sounds not enough when I think of the incredible two weeks that I spent traveling with Nikos to Nepal and India. Those two weeks were filled with beautiful moments captured by all the participants, all inspiring each other and supporting our effort and common goal. We all bonded beautifully and hopefully created life-long friendships. The workshops are demanding but it is through the effort and hard work that we achieve results that we can be proud of. Nikos pushed each participant to create the best work possible and I think that the results speak for themselves. I returned home feeling inspired, stronger as a photographer and as a person. I look forward to traveling with Nikos to Ethiopia and india in 2015!

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..

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.

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.

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 &amp 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!

“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”

This was my first workshop with Nikos. I loved everything about it: Nikos warmth, his relaxed and funny way, the supportive group of participants, the thoroughness of each evening session. I learnt a lot, at many levels, namely improving my ‘seeing’ to obtain more powerful images, how to ‘carry’ myself on the street as a photographer as I approach the world around me, editing pictures, learning to be patient about the process of making images. Nikos is tireless in sharing his knowledge, experience and love for photography. He has a way of teaching that works for me his feedback sinks deep and opens me to other ways of seeing. The workshop was very challenging and at the same time very energising. His passion for a good image is contagious. Nikos has inspired me to persevere.
I am a beginner and I think my greatest takeaway from this workshop is that now I feel I am determinedly on a quest: I am more curious about the art of photography, I have more and more questions, I want to know more, I challenge myself more, I am more relaxed about the whole process. I’m simply enjoying being on the street with my camera without any expectations but to see all the layers of what is right in front of my eyes, and practice, practice, practice.
Thank you, Nikos.

Joining Nikos’ workshop has become a yearly must-do event for me. Why? Because his workshops are, for me, the ideal way to travel, if you’re serious about photography. Nikos always offers a destination that promises to be photographically interesting. He ensures we get to immerse ourselves in the place. There’s always someone who has done the ground work, and yet the itinerary remains casually open and flexible. On top of that, he has a way of challenging you to perform better and improve, but never to the point of creating competition. So far, in the three workshops I’ve attended, the participants have been a generous, agreeable, and encouraging bunch, which really is the effect Nikos’ personality and method of mentoring. Finally, in Uruguay, we had the uncommon experience of seeing some of Nikos’ images shot during the workshop, as well as some unpublished work, which left us in awe. That was special.

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.