WHAT IS IT ABOUT

This masterclass by Alex Majoli and Daria Birang requires students to start by introducing themselves through their photographic projects. Over the course the focus will be on how each student’s visual language can be improved, mainly by talking, shooting, editing and sequencing.

Content and artistic autonomy are taken very seriously in the course. The importance of the photographer as an individual, his/her history, experiences and background are all related to the way he/she will take a picture. The goal of the masterclass is to nurture and feed each student's own unique photographic vision as much as possible.

Daria Birang has worked in photography for many years, from producer (Art & Commerce NYC), casting director to editor and curator, for photographers such as Mario Testino and Alex Majoli and 7 years with the legendary art/fashion NYC-based photography duo Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin.

Her unconventional approach to photography is due to her education as an artist, she strongly believes that looking at art history is more important for photographers than to look at other photographers, even for photojournalists. “When working in a visual medium you cannot ignore the masters of art or cinema.”

“The power of story telling by means of photography is immense, be it with 2 images or 200, in a book or an exhibition. It is exhilarating to see a story develop itself when certain pictures are being put together well."

Birang has worked on numerous award winning photography books.

Alex Majoli (born 1971, Ravenna, Italy) is an award-winning Italian photographer and full member of Magnum Photos known for his documentation of war and conflict. He made an intimate portrayal of the closing of an asylum for the insane on the island of Leros, Greece, that project became his first book, Leros.

In 1995 Majoli went to Brazil to photograph a variety of subjects for his ongoing personal project, 'Requiem in Samba'. He started the project 'Hotel Marinum' in 1998, on life in harbor cities around the world. A recently completed project, 'Libera me', a reflection on the human condition, became a book in 2011.

He won several prizes such as the ICP Infinity Award, World Press Photo, POY Award, Leica Oskar Barnack Award and many others.

STRUCTURE

The structure of the masterclass is divided into two workshops -both lasting 6 days- 12 months apart (due to past experience this dates will be subject to change). In these twelve months, each student will have private sessions with Alex Majoli and Daria Birang through Skype, email, and phone calls (according to availability) in which they will guide and consult the students. This will be an intense time for shooting and developing the project. During the second workshop, all the students will show their progress to the whole class and will finalize their projects by the end of the masterclass. During this last workshop, editing and sequencing will be the main focus, steering toward a possible book or exhibition.

MATERIAL

A selection of your work is essential to present to the teacher and your fellow students at the start of the workshop. Make sure you have your work ready for presentation. (jpgs files in low res. 2000 pixel width 72dpi in case of a digital portfolio. This will be the way to introduce yourself and your project. From here we will understand the development you made by the end of the workshop.

Bring at least 2 literary books that you love and 2 of your favorite films.

Bring your own laptop and photographic equipment.

LANGUAGE & fEE

The course will be held in English.

The cost of the masterclass is 2500 €.