In rural Finland close to a town called Vaasa lies a magical place. It’s called Malakta Art Factory. Last year a photography workshop took place there led by Anastasia Taylor-Lind and Rebecca Simons. The workshop was to focus on storytelling and editing, but the magic of the place took it beyond that. It became about photography and life, an open lab where new ideas and goals were born. A shared and safe space where everyone supported each other and information was flowing freely. A place to practice, try out and form paths. It was a bubble of inspiration for all included and therefore we want to recreate it this year again.
On 1-5 August August 2018 the workshop 'Beyond Visual Storytelling' returns to Art Factory Malakta in Ostrobothnia, Finland. And you can join us this year!
The workshop is focusing on strengthening photographers visual-, editing- and presentation skills. The emphasis lies on participants work, and moving it forward. We will also focus on the photographers individual career goals and ambitions. During the week participants will discuss, develop and present their work and create a short- and longterm action plan. The workshop includes a public presentation.
For who?
The workshop is open for starting to mid-career photographers, including photography students with experience in visual storytelling. The participants are required to have good level of conversational skills in English.
Content of the workshop:
‘Beyond Visual Storytelling’ is focusing on the individual goals and needs of the photographer, looking beyond conventional documentary narratives. The four-day course covers:
Documentary narrative storytelling- inspiration and tips;
Editing and publishing - exercises and ideas on how to best present your work;
Creating Impact - how to reach and engage your audience;
Goal setting - defining your ambitions and setting career goals;
Funding and networking - how to start and sustained a successful career.
The photographers should bring a body of work (digitally and in print) that they are currently working on or have just finalized. The workshop is highly interactive, we will work both in groups and individually.
Trainers
Anastasia Taylor-Lind is an English/Swedish photojournalist who has been working for leading editorial publications all over rather world on issues relating to women, population and war for a decade. As a photographic storyteller, her focus has been on long-form narrative reportage for monthly magazines. Anastasia regularly comments on the complexities of visualising mass violence in the media, recently on TIME LightBox, Nieman Reports and NPR. She is a Harvard Nieman Fellow 2016, a TED fellow and a National Geographic Magazine contributor. Her first book MAIDAN - Portraits from the Black Square, which documents the 2014 Ukrainian uprising in Kiev, was published by GOST the same year.
http://www.anastasiataylorlind.com/
Rebecca Simons is an independent photography curator, editor and educator. From 2009-2016 she worked as Senior Producer & Interim manager at World Press Photo’s education department where she was responsible for all books, exhibitions and online productions. In 2016, together with Viewbook, she launched Transformations, aiming to explore changes in photography. She is also the initiator of El-Art, supporting entrepreneurial learning for artists. As an editor and curator Rebecca is involved in projects such as Asielzoekmachine and #Ecocide and she works freelance as image editor for de Correspondent. Rebecca is a nominator for the World Press Photos Joop Swart Masterclass and 6x6 talent program as well as British Journal of Photography Ones to Watch. As an educator she is teaching at Willem de Kooning Academy in the Netherlands and through guest lectures and international workshops.
www.rebeccasimons.com
Program 1-5 August 2018
Day One (1 Aug):
Arrival and personal presentations (get-to-know each other), group dinner.
Day Two (2 Aug):
Presentation of photo stories by participants
Narrative storytelling inspiration and ideas
Editing exercise
Day Three (3 Aug):
Finding the core of your story
Finding ideal form of publication
Individual guidance
Day Four (4 Aug):
Public speaking exercise
Public event in Vaasa including presentation of photographers work and panel discussions.
Day Five (5 Aug):
Goals setting and future planning
Evaluation
Departure
Next to the day program we will use the evenings for socialising, sharing ideas and inspiration through screenings, group dinners and Sauna evenings.
How to apply:
Send your application to Erik Åhman [email protected] including the following details:
· Name and contact details;
· A short motivation letter stating why you want to take part in the workshop;
· A photo story of max 15 images including captions and a short story description (+/- 300 words).
The number of participants is set at ten and they are selected based on the applications, with emphasis on photographic storytelling and motivation.
Apply by 1 July the lastest, the application will be confirmed within a weeks after your submission. Participants will receive an invoice for the fee which needs to be paid no later than 15 July. Cancellations or no-show will not be refunded.
Cost
The course fee is 450 eur, and includes workshop fee and shared living accommodation. Please note that the fee does not cover travel or food. The are shared kitchen facilities available for cooking.
How to get there
Art Factory MALAKTA is a vibrant cultural centre set in an old dairy near Vaasa in Western Finland. You will reach Malakta through Vaasa train station or airport. We will arrange a pickup from Vasa to take you to the workshop location situated about 20 km outside the city.
www.malakta.fi
What to bring
The participants of the workshop are required to bring their portfolio and a rough edit of a photo story that they are currently working on or have just finalized (minimum 50 images). The edit should be available as both digital files and in print. The prints will be used for the editing and should be postcard size (+/- 10x15 cm). It’s recommended to bring a laptop.
Questions
For help or further questions, please contact project manager Erik Åhman: [email protected]
This workshop is made possible by Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, Malakta Art Factory, Photogallery Ibis and Fotomat.
