Purpose of the photography workshop
This workshop is offered reguarly as continuation of my exhibition "Home is not a place. It is a feeling." The purpose of it is to provide a place free of judgement, a place where you feel safe to express and connect with yourself. This workshops seeks to help you to explore and understand who you really are.
We often define ourselves by labels which are external observations and expectations. We act accordingly to fullfill them. And hence, we limit ourselves. Seeing photography as an act of self-exploration, can liberate us from those labels. We start to express our internal thoughts and emotions. When we pour our soul into our work, we create pictures - even though we can't put in words - that somehow feel more personal and deeper to us.
And those pictures reflect who we are. We begin to define who we really are from the inside out. Not through labels that are stuck with us.
I believe that this helps to feel alive, to be more creative and to live happier. I believe it leads to acceptance, compassion and understanding. And will contribute to a healthier life with ourselves and others.
Everyone who is into photography and is willing to let go of social norms, labels and judgement is invited to join.
Expressive photography approach
Photography is all about seeing, right?
Yes and no.
It is also about being at the right time at the right spot.
And.
It is about you, too.
Because you make the choice to take a picture of something at the first place. It is your eyes that see. And it is your heart that feels.
But why do you take it? You take it because you want to or because you feel like it will get likes on social media?
In this workshop you practice to listen to your inner voice, to follow your own paths and to make the picture you are personal drawn to. The motivation for taking the picture comes from within: You see, you like what you see, you make conscious decisions in how to take the picture and you take the shot.
In this workshop you will have the space to focus on how you feel and what you want to express with the image. You take the picture because what you see makes you feel something, not because you want to impress a social media audience or seek validation.
This workshop allows you to be present and to engage with your subject by observing, moving around it, directing, composing and playing with light. The picture you take is a dialogue, a relationship between the subject and you. It tells something about you: Your perspective and your vision of the world.
Everytime you take a picture you make choices. In this workshop you will practice to decide consciously, you will create with intention. You are not only an observer, you become part of it.
You will be motivated to ask yourself "Do I like my pictures?" intead of evaluating what others will think. You can still get other people's opinion but you will practice to value your own opinion. It will have a positive effect on how you evaluate your own work for originality and quality.
This approach allows you to enjoy your time behind the camera, it will liberate your creativity and authenticy. It gives you the freedom to experiment and do what you enjoy because there is no pressure to create a particular type of image.
Creative freedom grows with technical confidence. You get technical confindence by experimenting, by practicing and sharing knowledge. In this workshop all questions are welcome any time.
The workshop is open to any level of photography
Whatever you want to know, you can ask. All questions no matter which level you are, are welcome. I share my experiences and knowledge and give my best to help you to understand better, to improve, to find your visual voice, to give you the freedom to explore the world of photography and self-expression without pressure, judgement and limits.
I treat every participant with an open heart no matter where you are from, where you have been, what you desire, what you want to express...
Structure of the workshop
I have a rough structure for the workshop in place. There is space for spontaneous ideas and unexpected opportunity. I have a plan but I also go with the flow.
Every workshop we start with an introduction round in which I will talk about the location and the theme. Depending on who is there we will introduce ourselves.
The second part is to see the location. I will ask you to walk around, observe, feel and find spots that you like. If you like you can start taking pictures.
In the next part we get together. Each of you can use the model and myself to create a photograph. Everyone can take pictures of that scene. Also the models will be asked to contribute with their ideas.
At the end you have the opportunity to be in front of the camera too. The others will take pictures of you.
About the organiser
I have never studied photography. But I started taking pictures when I was at school. And the technical aspects of photography I figured out on the way. Before I came to Cyprus - 4 years ago - I took pictures for myself.
I took pictures of scenes that made me stop and observe, scenes that made me feel something. And this is how I still work as a professional photographer. My pictures improved with learning more about light, composition, framing etc. by reading books, attending a few workshops and practice. And I still practice and experiment.
Photography is my happy place. It is the time when I focus the most and completely disolve into the world that I see through my camera.
Location: Cyprus
I've seen so many countries in this world and landscapes that left me still standing with my mouth wide open: From Niagara falls and Rocky Mountains to the Australian Outback and the rainforest in Brazil.
With that in mind, Cyprus landscapes didn't appear to me as stunning or special. I wasn't impressed really. Over time I discovered the beauty of this island, start to feel the spirit that travels in the air and visited places that look unique and feel powerful.
Some people say the Cypriot society is closed off, racist and doesn't open up to foreigners. At the same time I see people who smile, are curious, give lots, share and are passionate.
People also say that Cyprus is behind. And yes maybe for some things Cyprus is not ready yet. But this is what gives potential to take a different path, to make a change, to influence.
This island holds so much diversity, gives a new home to many who seek help. Cyprus allows people to be creative, to do what they are passionate about. At the same time some need to work two or three different jobs to make a living.
Coming from Germany - a country where structure, planning, expectations, pressure, fast pace, discipline rules, where career and success in worklife define a person's value - Cyprus with its slower pace, with its gaps and being-still-in-process state and we-figure-it-out-along-the-way mentality gives me peace, and the freedom and confidence to do what I love to do: photography.
Cyprus has a place in my heart. With my workshops I want to bring you to the place that I like and set my imagination free.
This workshop is for you when...
- you are into photography - just starting or advanced.
- you feel like you want to express yourself visually but you don't really draw and paint.
- you want to learn and practice photography not solitude but in a small group - with people who share the same interest.
- you want to build more confidence as a person and photographer.
- you like to be outside and to explore different locations.
- you are on a personal journey of exploration, curiosity and discovery.
- you want to translate your feelings and thoughts into a photograph.
- you hesitate going out to shoot on your own.
- you just need someone to give a time and a location so you stop finding excusing to not to dive into something you feel like you love doing.
This workshop provides an opportunity...
- to press pause, to be present and take pictures with intention.
- to step into a non-judgmental space in which all of you and all your ideas are welcome.
- to learn and practice photography in a small group.
- to experiment and explore outside of the box.
- to get inspired, to inspire, to share knowledge and to exchange ideas.
- to connect with like-minded people, to get support and to support.
- to create a pictures you wanted to seek to create.
- to work on one theme.
- to be a creator and director.
- to get in touch with your inner world and express it.
- to visit location you might would not go alone.
- to strengthen your self-confidence and to learn to accept yourself.
