<span class="red-vii"><strong>VII</strong></span> Workshops


	VII WORKSHOPS

VII MASTERCLASS WORKSHOPS:
A series of international workshops led by the VII photographers

VII MASTERCLASS WORKSHOPS:

VII Masterclass Workshop series is designed to give professional photographers and committed amateur photographers opportunities to work and study with some of the most forward thinking, enterprising, and talented working photojournalists today. The VII workshops are intense and intimate affairs, providing students with complete access to the VII photographers and the ability to take advantage of their work experience, teachings, methodologies and contacts. The primary focus of the VII Masterclass Workshop series is to help strengthen personal vision, authorship, and story telling. VII has hosted workshops throughout the world in Israel, France, Cambodia, and the United States.

The VII Masterclass Workshops are for photographers who are seeking to advance their work, redirect their focus or take their storytelling to another level. All applicants must have an understanding of the technical aspects of digital photography, including editing software. The VII Workshops do not provide cameras or laptop computers. Students are expected to come prepared as if they were shooting a real assignment.

VII gratefully acknowledges the Support of Canon USA in making these Masterclasses possible.

VII MASTERCLASS WORKSHOP WITH ANTONIN KRATOCHVIL
ORTHODOX EASTER IN THE CHERNOBYL FORBIDDEN ZONE, UKRAINE APRIL 2, 2010 - APRIL 10, 2010

Chernobyl and its Forbidden Zone are magical places, which attract the attention of both adventurers and the media. After more than 20 years, echoes of the worst nuclear disaster in the history of man still resonate. Antonin Kratochvil, from the VII agency, has repeatedly photographed in Chernobyl and knows how to move around in the area.

Antonin Kratochvil will be working with the workshop participants right in the epicenter of the Chernobyl disaster. Three days will be spent photographing, eating and sleeping in the heart of the Forbidden Zone, in the shadow of the doomed reactor.

During the workshop participants will have unique opportunity to document celebration of Orthodox Easter in the Chernobyl town. They will spend a part of their time photographing in the ghost town Pripyat and its surroundings. For the other 5 days, the workshop will take place in closest proximity to the Zone, photographing in the evacuated villages, where so-called "resettlers" (people, who later returned despite being evacuated), various refugees and oddities continue to live on.

The goal of this 8-day workshop is to create one's own photo essay about this place, which due to its unique history and bizarre visual motifs still attracts world media attention. Each photographer will work on his/her own piece for the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster. Participants of the workshop will consult the progress of their work everyday with the instructor. The workshop will include evening photo-projections and group discussions. The workshop will be digital, so knowledge of digital cameras and of editing programs is required of every participant.

The workshop participants will be trained on how to limit risk while working in extreme conditions that can exist during armed conflicts and/or during work in a contaminated environment. Even though today, a several day stay in the Zone is practically completely safe, it is necessary to adhere to some essential rules. Professional guides will insure the safety of the workshop participants in the Forbidden Zone.

DATE: April 2, 2010 - April 10, 2010

WORKSHOP FEE: 1900 euros includes the entrance admission into the Forbidden Zone for three days, accommodation, breakfasts and 3 diners inside the Zone, local transport, safety aids and a guide. The fee includes also accommodation, breakfasts and dinners outside the Forbidden Zone.

The fee does not include airfare to Ukraine, transportation between Kiev and Chernobyl and rental cars (possibility of sharing cars). If you decide your story requires a full time fixer/translator you will need to budget for that person yourself.

ACCOMMODATION: Forest camp in close proximity to the Forbidden Zone. The accommodation is provided in two room cottages. During stay in Forbidden Zone accommodation is provided in small hotel in the town of Chernobyl.

REGISTRATION: The workshop is open to any professional or committed amateur who has a competent understanding of digital cameras and the associated editing software. For further details please contact: k.knyc@verizon.net and CC vaclav.vasku@ecn.cz

PAYMENT: A non-refundable deposit of 900 euros is payable on confirmation of a place. The balance is due 4 weeks before the commencement of the course. In the event of cancellation by the workshop organizers a full refund will be given minus 70 euros administration fee.

Recommended reading:

Photography publications:

Chernobyl: Confessions of a Reporter
by Igor Kostin

Chernobyl Legacy
by Paul Fusco

Zones of Exclusion: Pripyat and Chernobyl
by Robert Polidori

Literature of facts:

Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster

by Svetlana Alexievich

Important links:
http://www.pripyat.com
http://www.chernobyl.info

To view student work taken during Antonin‘s last workshop in Chernobyl, from October 10-18, 2009, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsRsKJYYY9A

To join the Facebook group of Antonin's Chernobyl workshops, please visit: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=162872046898

To view Antonin’s work, visit: www.antoninkratochvil.com

MAINE MEDIA WORKSHOPS

VII Masterclass with Ron Haviv

July 4 - July 10, 2010

Learn what it takes to work as a photojournalist.

Photographing humanitarian crises often involves a myriad of professional and personal challenges that teach us to be better photographers. Whether working in one’s own neighborhoods or overseas, Haviv helps participants better their imagery by combining portfolio reviews, assignments, editing sessions, and dialogue. This workshop embraces a multi-faceted approach to photojournalism, from developing a personal sensitivity and visual style to working in the field and getting work seen.

A portfolio is required for this class.

Enrollment: 14
Levels: 4
Tuition: $1295

Please visit the website for more details.

VII Masterclass with Gary Knight

August 22 - August 28, 2010

The focus of this workshop is on the process of making imagery, not the product. By challenging the understanding of what is seen, participants learn to look at the world with renewed curiosity and the ability to translate what is before them into photographs.

Enrollment: 14
Levels: 234
Tuition: $1295

Please visit the website for more details.

VII Masterclass with Antonin Kratochvil

September 12 - September 18, 2010

Explore using the camera as a tool to create psychological portraits.

This workshop is for experienced and emerging photographers, photojournalists and students. The subject of the workshop deals with making portraits that penetrate the surface of subjects peeling the layers of their psychological makeup to try to get to their core, using the camera as a tool. A great portrait is like a magical moment of recognition between photographer and subject. It is a moment of clarity, sometimes an accident and sometimes a gift. What makes a portrait both powerful and memorable is its ability to challenge, amuse, enlighten and disturb. This course is designed to encourage students to photograph people in an entirely different way, to get a sense of movement and rgency in their work and to capture a moment that explores the strange and complicated nature of being human. Class meetings include slide lectures and critiques. Assignments include both prearranged and spontaneous portraits, photographing at night, documenting events and working with other class members as subjects. Students may work in either B&W film or digitally.

A portfolio is required for this class.

Enrollment: 14
Levels: 4
Tuition: $1295

Please visit the website for more details.