The Introduction to Visual Storytelling - Vol. 3 workshop, held from 20th to 30th August 2020 by The Confluence Collective, was an immersive and intensive 10-day online course. It was designed to empower photographers with a solid foundation in storytelling through the medium of photography. Tailored for those with existing technical proficiency in digital photography, the course helped participants refine their craft by introducing them to various visual styles, narrative techniques, and the ethical considerations of photography.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the workshop was conducted virtually on Zoom, offering an opportunity for participants to engage and learn remotely. Despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic, the online format allowed for a diverse, inclusive, and collaborative learning experience that successfully met the needs of budding visual storytellers.
The primary goal of the workshop was to help photographers transition from technical photography to the realm of visual storytelling. By the end of the 10-day course, participants had gained insights into:
Introduction to Visual Storytelling
Aesthetics
Composition and Content
Light
Ethics in Photography
Planning and Executing a Photo Story
Exploring Visual Styles
Shooting Approaches
Narrative Structure of a Story
Digital Workflow & Post-Production (using Bridge, Lightroom, and Photoshop)
Editing, Research, and Caption Writing
Participants were challenged to create a body of work, integrating these concepts into a cohesive visual story.
Dates: 20th – 30th August, 2020
Language: English + Nepali
Platform: Zoom
Mentors:
Kunga Tashi
Shivam Darnal
Praveen Chettri
Guest Artists: Uma Bista, Prakash Bhuyan, Rohit Saha
Mentors’ ProfilesThe workshop was guided by three highly experienced photographers and educators, each offering unique expertise:
Kunga Tashi: An independent photographer from Gangtok, Sikkim, Kunga has worked extensively on photo archiving and storytelling.
Shivam Darnal: A freelance photographer and educator from Darjeeling, Shivam uses photography as a tool for social and cultural storytelling.
Praveen Chettri: A seasoned photographer from Kalimpong, West Bengal, Praveen has contributed to renowned publications and has extensive experience in visual storytelling.
Guest Artists: Uma Bista, Prakash Bhuyan, and Rohit Saha joined the workshop as guest instructors, offering additional perspectives and insights into visual storytelling techniques.
This workshop marked a significant milestone as The Confluence Collective’s first-ever online workshop. A group of 10 participants from Darjeeling Hills and Sikkim participated in this immersive course, engaging deeply with mentors and peers to learn, unlearn, and push their creative boundaries—despite the constraints imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown.
The challenges of conducting such an intensive workshop remotely were felt equally by both mentors and participants. Virtual platforms limited the in-person dynamics typically found in hands-on workshops, but the results were nonetheless remarkable. The participants exhibited immense growth and creativity, showcasing diverse approaches in their visual stories, both in terms of techniques and thematic exploration.
Participants:
Karan Rai
Vicky Sharma
Yojak Tamang
Komal Chamling
Mahsus Tamang
Nawami Gurung
Sasank Pradhan
Sourav Tolangay
Upendra Gurung
Devarshi Sharma
These participants spent two weeks learning from their mentors, refining their shooting techniques, and developing their own narratives. Their works, diverse in content and style, serve as a testament to their creative resilience and the adaptability required in these challenging times.
The Introduction to Visual Storytelling workshop was a resounding success despite the unforeseen challenges presented by the pandemic. The virtual format not only offered an innovative solution to the physical limitations imposed by COVID-19 but also allowed for a more diverse, globally inclusive experience. The mentors provided invaluable insights, helping participants push their creative limits while learning key aspects of visual storytelling.
The participants—though physically distant from each other—were able to build meaningful connections through their shared journey, each of them creating a body of work that represents their growth as storytellers. The final outcome, diverse in style and technique, exemplifies the spirit of the workshop: to inspire and challenge photographers to tell stories that resonate deeply with their audiences.
The Confluence Collective is proud to showcase the works created during this workshop and looks forward to continuing to support photographers in their creative endeavors, whether online or in person. FINAL PRESENTATION OF THE PARTICIPANTS -
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