Where Past Meets Present: Varanasi Photography Workshop – October 2024

Join me in October 2024 for a five days photography workshop in Varanasi. Get exposed to various photography styles including street photography, be guided to develop a personal project, and learn from my experience in a discussion-based on-the field practical setup.

Nestled on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, Varanasi beckons with an ancient mystique that transcends the ages. Known as the spiritual capital of India, this city of ghats and temples is a living testament to centuries of devotion and cultural richness. Its labyrinthine alleys whisper tales of gods and goddesses, while the gentle lapping of the river’s waters carries the echoes of countless prayers.

Varanasi – also known as Kashi, Banaras, and other names – is a place where time seems to stand still, where every sunrise brings a new chapter in the eternal dance of life and death. Pilgrims bathe in the holy waters, seeking spiritual purification, while the aroma of incense and the sound of temple bells permeate the air. In Varanasi, the boundaries between the earthly and the divine blur effortlessly, creating a sanctuary where seekers from across the globe come to experience the essence of India’s spiritual soul.

Note: Other date for Varanasi workshop is February 2025.

About Varanasi Photography Workshop

The photography workshop takes place over five days, focusing greatly on composition, narrative, and storytelling. You will be guided to build and develop your own perspective. You will be tasked to face challenges that will test your patience and comfort, and help you overcome hesitance while photographing in public.

There will be discussions on ethics, dos and don’ts, street photography, documentary photography, and the power of photography among other things. There will be brief theory sessions, although we will spend most time being out photographing. We won’t waste time talking about equipment and post processing, we discuss photography itself.

The sacred Ganga (Ganges) river and the numerous ghats will be our primary backdrop. Additionally, we will explore Varanasi through those narrow lanes, visit temples and markets, and indulge in street food.

Participants will be assigned a project/theme on which they will have to work through the workshop. At the end of the workshop, you present your work and feedback will be provided on it. Each participant is unique and I will focus on them individually to cultivate their unique perspective. There will be a chance for one-on-one discussions.

Workshop Overview

• Duration: 5 days
• Photography styles: street photography, documentary-style photography, culture, portraits, photo story
• Tentative itinerary: Exploring various ghats and temples, attend morning and evening aarti, boat ride in the river, walk through the narrow lanes and explore street food options, visit markets, visit Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon. A detailed itinerary will be shared later with registered participants
• Focus on discussion-based on-the-field practical learning along with some theory
• A personal project/theme is assigned to each participant
• One-on-one time given to each participant
• We don’t talk about “equipment.” We focus on “photography” instead
• Designed to foster the spirit of travelling, photographing, and exploring together
• Group size: 7 participants

Who should join

• If you are starting out in photography and know basic operations of your camera
• If you identify as amateur/advance amateur, serious photography hobbyist/enthusiast, or semi-professional
• You are a design, visual arts, or cultural studies student who aims to use photography as a medium to expand their scope of studies
• If you are unsure about the direction to take in photography and want to explore
• You want to focus less on “gears” and seriously learn the art of photography
• It’s ideal if you have some prior experience with unposed, unscripted photography like street photography or documentary photography, but it’s not required
• You can join even if you do not do photography but want to explore Varansi together with a group of travellers

What’s included in the fee

• Workshop fees
• Review and feedback on photographs
• One-on-one time to address personal queries
• Guidance for a photo story/essay
• Basic post processing
• Up to two weeks of personal support (online) post workshop regarding your questions and image review
• A minimum of 5% discount in the workshops conducted during the next one year
• Inclusion in a member-only online community where you continue to get exposed to photography and photographers

What’s not included in the fee

• Your travel costs to and from Varanasi
• Accommodation
• Insurance
• Medical expenses
• Meals, drinks, bottled water
• Our transport around Varanasi and other places we travel to will be shared equally among all of us
• Entry fees/camera fees, if any
• Tips/gratuities to drivers, porters, servers, helpers etc.
• Any other personal expense

What to bring

• A digital camera. If you carry film camera, feedback will be given online at a later time only
• A wide angle prime lens like 27mm or 35mm recommended but bring kit lens if that’s all you have
• Extra batteries and SD cards or film rolls if shooting analogue
• A desire to learn seriously
• A spirit of community
• A refillable bottle of water
• Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
• Plastic bags to cover your equipment
• A laptop with card reader and a program like Lightroom or Capture One. You should know how to use the editor, especially in case it’s not Lightroom/Capture One

Important things to keep in mind

• You should to be physically fit and be ready to walk long distance
• You are responsible for the safety of your equipment and everything else you are carrying
• You are expected to know the basic operations of your camera/lens. At the very least, you should know how to change aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, switching between RAW and JPEG, turn on/off inbuilt flash, turning off image preview, and turning off beeps etc. sounds
• You are responsible for making your travel plans including your travel to and from Varanasi, accommodation, and meals. Suggestions for accommodation option can be provided on request so that we can all stay within close proximity
• This is not a guided tour and there will be no paid models or sadhus to pose for pictures
• Meeting place and time may change before the commencement of the workshop. Participants will be updated accordingly in that case
• The organiser(s) reserve the right to cancel the event if the number of minimum participants is not met. An option to continue the workshop is offered to registered participant(s) with additional fees applicable
• Insist on booking refundable tickets and buy trip-cancellation insurance

Payment, cancellation, and refund policy

• You can book your spot with non-refundable deposit. Remaining payment to be completed at later time. You will be contacted for the same at least 45 days prior to the workshop date
• You can choose to pay full amount instead and save on the fee
• If you cancel, the following amount will be deducted from the amount paid (excluding deposit, if any)
  • 25% deduction if cancelled before 7th August
  • 50% deduction if cancelled between 7th August and 6th September
  • No refund if you cancel after 7st September
  • Full refund if the organiser cancels the workshop