The summer 2012 Bali Photo Master Class is for professionals, semi-professionals and serious photographic students who are wanting to delve into a reportage project in one of the most unique cultures on earth.

John will guide each photographer participating in the workshop in the same manner he challenges himself when working on a National Geographic assignment. In addition, John will guide you through unique ways of editing your work as well as organizing your archive. He will also demonstrate simple yet powerful multimedia editing tools found in Apple’s Aperture program, highlighting the merging of stills and video in order to help you produce short, compelling documentaries. At the end of the eight-day workshop, each individual will present a completed story during an evening of projections, discussions and illumination.

Spaces for this workshop fill quickly. A 10 percent discount will be given for registration and payment before January 31, 2012. Click Register to signup for the 2012 Bali Workshop.

Workshop in Bali, Summer 2012

July 1-8, 2012

SOLD OUT

Workshop participants must:

Be a proficient photographer, not a beginner.

Have personal laptop (preferably a Mac) and external hard drive to store images.

Bring a digital camera, lenses and, if possible, a digital audio recorder and quality microphone.

Have all supporting Firewire, USB or other peripherals to support your digital workflow.

Have a solid working knowledge of digital editing tools such as Apple’s Aperture, Adobe’s Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.

(NOTE: John Stanmeyer uses Apple’s Aperture digital toning and organizing program. It is not required but is helpful and is the most powerful tool to organize and tone your photography. A 30-day working demo of Aperture for a Mac is available through this link.)

Requirements for Participation in Workshop

The Bali Master Class workshops are an incredible opportunity not only to expand your photography, explore a unique culture and widen your creativity, these workshops are about connecting with a group of passionate photographers who will become lifelong friends. But there are a few things participants should know prior to attending...

Bali is safe, however basic caution needs to be taken for your personal belongings. We suggest you insure your photographic and computer equipment.

Bali has decent medical facilities, however in some extreme emergencies (if you become ill or injured), you might have to be airlifted to Singapore. We suggest you check your health insurance policy for coverage of international travel and international Medivac coverage, or take out special medical and travel insurance prior to departure. Short, two-week travel insurance plans are available online.

We recommend staying longer, or arriving earlier, to Bali. The island has one of the richest cultures on earth, and the people of Bali are some of the kindest you’ll ever meet. Anastasia can help guide you in staying longer or arriving earlier.

Participants are more then welcome to bring spouses, children or a friend with them, however all additional costs for your room, food, transport and all other expenses are not included in the workshop fee.

Insights into the Workshop

Photograph by John Stanmeyer

Melasti Prayers Under Moonlight, Pura Tirta Temple

Photograph by John Stanmeyer

Photograph by John Stanmeyer

Cow Sacrifice, East Bali

Handing Kris During Trance, Seminyak

Overview

Register

Well before arriving in Bali, you should research story ideas. Most often what you plan to work on ends up evolving into something else once on the ground. This is completely normal and actually an excellent exercise in story development and problem solving. While researching ideas, do try to avoid clichéd story approaches and seek something layered with various opportunities to expand both culturally and socially.

Some story suggestions could be the following:

Religion — Hinduism is the primary religion on the island and deeply rooted in some of the most elaborate and beautiful traditions on the planet. Many participants can partake on such a story theme, however take the topic deep and with meaning, not just simple prayer images, etc.

Culture — Ricefields in Bali are not only the primary food source for the island, they are also spiritual.

Music — One of the most richest and complex forms of music is Balinese gamelan.

Society — Rural and modern Balinese lifestyles.

Bali Aga — The original inhabitance of Bali who still live in two remote villages of Bali and carry on their ancient traditions.

Landscapes — Bali has some of the most staggering landscapes to photograph, from staggering ricefields, active volcanoes, spectacular rivers and majestic mountains, landscape photographers will be enthralled.

For first-time travelers to Bali, we suggest buying the National Geographic documentary Masterpiece of the Gods, an excellent insight into the myriad of religious ceremonies still taking place on Bali. Also Lonely Planet’s guide to Bali and Lombok.

Photographers also can order John’s latest book, Island of the Spirits, to study deeply rich aspects of Balinese culture.

Story Planning

Island of the Spirits by John Stanmeyer

Forward by Wade Davis (author of the Serpent and the Rainbow)

To order, click book cover

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India.

Just its name conjures an infinite well of imagination, scents, sounds and emotion.

Having traveled and worked in India for more than two decades, my passions for this nation and its people never wanes.

I’ve decided to host my first ever workshop in India. Plans are still being formed as to where to hold this 8-day gathering and I thought to turn the table, letting the photographers participating to decide between two locations — Rajasthan or Kolkata.

Over the next seven months, I am opening up this discussion to each of you who plan to attend, helping shape both the workshops theme and its location. Both Kolkata and Rajasthan hold such importance both socially and historically.

Workshop will be 8 days, between 21-29 March 2013.

I’m wanting this workshop to be a meaningful and organic process where we take our eyes, passions and minds further through the power of visual storytelling. Look forward to hearing from you and joining me in India in 2013.

All my best,

John

Overview

Streets of Kokata, India.

Workshop in India

Spring 2013

Photograph by John Stanmeyer

Photograph by John Stanmeyer

Photograph by John Stanmeyer

Photograph by John Stanmeyer