This is the second time we’ve run this 5-week Leica Akademie course over the last 8 months. And I am so pleased that it was successful for our 4 participants, Anna, Heleen, Gnu (who joined us from Singapore), and Peter, who were all exploring this topic as a new skill and creating their own photo-essays for the first time. Creating a photo-essay is such a different skill to taking individual images. The work they created was phenomenal (you can see some extracts below). I’ve urged them to keep going as they have so much to offer!

This course does seem to work especially well in Zoom format, whilst allowing sufficient time for participants to create and share their own photo-essays as part of the workshop. My sense from this, and the last workshop, is that one of the key learnings for participants is the importance and value of thoughtful editing and sequencing in creating a great photo-essay. In every case, in both this workshop and the last workshop, the group has concluded that the edit that emerges from their dispassionate colleagues is stronger than their own, highlighting how incredibly hard it is to edit our own work and the value of having a third-party involved in the editing and sequencing process.

My sincere thanks to Anna, Heleen, Gnu, and Peter for being such an inspiring and enjoyable group to work with. This course is a huge pleasure for me too.

– Leica Akademie tutor, Jim Grover.

Heleen Koolhof

What is your project about?

My photo essay is about a group of men who build model boats as a hobby and sail them twice a week on the pond in Bushy Park (South London). I wanted to portray this group’s passion for building the boats, their craftsmanship, and how they share this. It’s a small group but they have a big social impact on the public at Bushy Park.

How was your Leica Akademie experience?

Jim is an amazing tutor, and his knowledge, engagement and enthusiasm are incredible. Leica Akademie tutor, Robin Sinha’s contributions and feedback were also very helpful. For me, this workshop was a very enjoyable and meaningful experience, and I feel more confident in exploring documentary photography further. I am thrilled Leica was able to offer this online via zoom, and it did not hinder me in my learning process.

What did you learn from the workshop?

I learned about all the important aspects of making a good photo-essay, from the different types of pictures required to the importance of editing and sequencing, and how to keep the viewer’s attention until the end. Being able to produce and present my own photo essay for feedback was super beneficial for my photography journey.

Anna Lohmann

What is your project about?

“Street Cleaner: Hidden Heroes” focuses on the people most of us normally overlook in our busy everyday lives: the street cleaners. But the pandemic made it clear that they are key workers. They are always fulfilling their duty, whether that’s in the morning, in every type of weather condition, on national holidays, and even in the middle of a pandemic. I want everyone to open their eyes and appreciate our street cleaners more for their valuable work.

How was your Leica Akademie experience?

Awesome. Jim Grover is one of the best teachers I’ve ever had the joy to learn from. Very encouraging and full of contagious enthusiasm. The comments from Robin were also much appreciated and helpful. I was a little sceptical about doing a workshop online, but it turned out to be a very vivid and enriching experience.

What did you learn from the workshop?

So much more than expected! I learnt the basics of documentary photography, how to edit and sequence photo essays, how to plan, structure and execute photo essays and most of all, I learnt that you really have to want to do it. Dedication and patience are key.

@gnu_photographer

What is your project about?

It’s about my enjoyment at the parks in urban Singapore, which hosts a myriad of wildlife.

How was your Leica Akademie experience?

Superb. Learned so much from Jim and Robin who were so generous in sharing their artistic knowledge. Jim and Robin also offered so much valuable guidance in the history, theory, and practical aspects of documentary photography. Really enjoyed the interaction with fellow students too. They were such a talented group of photographers and they presented such fascinating projects!

What did you learn from the workshop?

First and foremost, to develop a “cadre of critics” who can provide honest feedback on my photos and sequencing. Secondly, the importance of finding topics and subjects that are most interesting, as it may take a significant amount of time to complete a project (months and perhaps years). Thirdly, the importance of developing relationships in the journey of the photo essay.

Peter Mudd

What is your project about?

My long-term aim is to use the Sheffield Canal project for a possible Fellowship distinction application with the Royal Photographic Society (RPS). The Canal and River Trust (CRT) believe that “life is better by water” and with my photographs, I aim to assess whether this statement typifies the canal and also whether it is endorsed by its community.

How was your Leica Akademie experience?

I really enjoyed the Leica Akademie experience. The input from Jim and Robin was excellent. I think Jim’s knowledge, enthusiasm and positive attitude was motivational and it has helped enormously with my project. I feel that I know a lot more about documentary photography now.

What did you learn from the workshop?

That documentary images need to say something to the viewer, provide a message, tell a story and as much information as possible. I also learnt that sequencing is important to capture the whole story, whilst avoiding repetition.

Want to learn more? Discover Jim Grover’s upcoming workshop: Learning from the greats: Take better photographs.

It’s aimed at photographers who want to take better photographs, whatever their current ability. Photographs that arrest the attention of the viewer and sustain their interest and enjoyment over time.

Dates: 10th, 17th, 24th April 2021
Time: 10:00 – 11:30 GMT

Click here to book your space.