Where there is light, there is movement,

and where there is movement, there is story.  "Gaylan Nazhad"

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​​COURSE DESCRIPTION

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This four week course offers an immersive study in both portrait and documentary photography. It is grounded in observation, trust building, and the quiet discipline of being present. The aim is not only to learn technique, but to understand how images carry stories, gestures, and memory. Participants will work in both intimate portrait sessions and real environments, learning to notice subtle details that reveal human experience.

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The course blends instruction, fieldwork, and reflective critique. Each participant develops their own way of seeing, balancing technical clarity with emotional depth. We explore how to approach subjects with respect, how to move through spaces without intrusion, and how to create images that feel honest and alive.

By the end, participants will create a cohesive series of portraits and documentary photographs and present them in a curated group showcase.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

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Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Use camera, light, and composition confidently in portrait and documentary contexts
• Build trust and presence with subjects to create natural, unforced images
• Develop visual narratives drawn from real environments and lived moments
• Reflect critically on photography through cultural, ethical, and historical frameworks
• Prepare work for print, presentation, and exhibition with professional standards
• Produce a final project portfolio grounded in personal voice and clarity of intention

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COURSE OUTLINE

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Week 1: Seeing and Understanding
Foundations of portrait and documentary practice, historical influences, ways of looking

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Week 2: Working With People
Connection, trust, conversation, photographing subjects with presence and care

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Week 3: Fieldwork and Narrative
Developing personal projects, observing space, time, gesture, and emotional atmosphere

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Week 4: Editing and Exhibition
Selection, sequencing, minimal retouching, preparing final prints and shared presentation

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TEACHING METHODS

Seminars, guided fieldwork, group critiques, individual mentorship, final exhibition

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COURSE DETAILS

Location: Manchester, UK
Duration: 4 weeks, one full day each Saturday
Start Dates: 11th July (annually)
Class Size: 6 participants
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of a DSLR or mirrorless camera
Materials Provided: Readings, tutorials, studio and field access
Outcome: Certificate of completion, portfolio, exhibition participation

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IMPORTANT NOTE

These courses are also about resilience and community. They draw on experiences of endurance and rebuilding, and encourage participants to work with patience, sincerity, and care. The space is supportive and collaborative, where photography becomes a way to understand others and ourselves.

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IMPORTANT

Before booking a course or workshop led by any photographer around the world Read This Article