Where there is light, there is movement,

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

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ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

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Shanghai is a city where the past and future meet at every corner — a place where quiet lanes, morning markets, and century-old architecture coexist with glass towers and neon reflections. This immersive one-day workshop invites you to explore that dialogue between heritage and modernity, capturing how light, rhythm, and human presence shape the story of a constantly changing city.

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Guided by Nazhad, participants will learn to approach the city as both observer and storyteller — creating images that go beyond documentation to reveal atmosphere, emotion, and tension. The workshop focuses on refining your eye for composition, timing, and light, while encouraging an intuitive response to the urban environment.

 

 

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WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

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This one-day journey through Shanghai unfolds from the soft light of dawn to the glowing skyline of night. It blends street, architecture, and portrait photography into a single visual narrative. Participants will be guided through moments of observation, critique, and reflection, developing both technical control and creative expression.​

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WORKSHOP STRUCTURE

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Morning | The Traditional Heart of Shanghai
We begin in the narrow streets and markets of the old city, exploring morning light, everyday rituals, and human gestures. Participants will work on capturing subtle interactions and the textures of street life, colour, movement, and quiet moments of pause.

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Midday | Transitions and Reflections
After a break, we move toward the city’s transitional spaces bridges, trams, and the riverside. Here we focus on how light transforms surfaces and how reflections, shadows, and patterns tell their own visual story.

 

Afternoon to Dusk | The Modern Skyline
The day concludes in Pudong and The Bund, where the architecture, skyline, and night lights of Shanghai offer dramatic contrasts. Participants will work with long exposures, silhouettes, and the shifting tones of dusk to create atmospheric, cinematic images.

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Evening | Review and Reflection
The workshop ends with review and discussion over coffee or dinner. Participants share their favourite images, receive feedback, and discuss individual direction and style development.

 

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NOTE

This workshop is designed for photographers of all levels who wish to explore Shanghai in depth, not as tourists, but as visual observers of its rhythm and transformation. The schedule is fixed but flexible, shaped by weather, light, and group dynamics.

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Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to capture atmosphere, emotion, and movement in urban environments and how to create images that truly feel like the city they were taken in.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED

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• Full-day guided workshop with Nazhad

• Street, architectural, and portrait photography sessions

• Individual and group critique sessions

• Professional mentoring and visual guidance

• Location guidance and travel within central Shanghai

• Lunch, coffee or tea breaks

• All local transportations

• Certificate of Completion

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WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

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• Camera equipment or accessories

• Breakfast & Dinner

• Travel to workshop location

• Any form of insurance

• Items of personal nature

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OPTIONAL EXTENSION 
Participants may request to extend the workshop by one or two additional days, subject to availability. Extra days will include different routes and locations from the main workshop. Participants are encouraged to share their learning objectives or preferred locations for the extra days, allowing the workshop to be tailored to their interests and skills.

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Each additional day is offered with a 30% discount from the standard daily workshop rate.

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IMPORTANT

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