The Introduction to Visual Storytelling: Vol. 4 workshop, organized by The Confluence Collective in collaboration with Photo Circle, took place from 2nd to 10th September 2023 in Kalimpong, West Bengal. This 9-day immersive workshop was designed to provide participants with the tools and guidance to use photography as a medium for crafting compelling visual narratives. Focused on both image-making and mentoring, the workshop aimed to help photographers develop their ideas into fully realized visual stories.
This workshop was open to photographers of all levels, particularly those who were beginning their journey in photography or looking to enhance their skills in visual storytelling. A unique feature of this workshop was the emphasis on practical image-making, with participants expected to create new work during the course of the program. The workshop also welcomed mixed media and video as forms of visual storytelling.
By the end of the workshop, participants had the opportunity to present their projects, either completed or in-progress, allowing them to showcase their creative growth and receive constructive feedback from mentors and peers.
The workshop was structured to provide participants with both technical skills and the conceptual framework necessary to craft compelling visual narratives. The key elements of the workshop included:
Conceptualizing and Developing Stories:
Participants were introduced to various storytelling techniques and were encouraged to explore their personal narratives or stories based on their surroundings.
Mentors guided participants through the process of developing a photographic idea and translating it into a story using visual language.
Image-Making and Aesthetic Exploration:
A major focus was placed on the creative use of photography—with participants encouraged to explore different visual styles, lighting techniques, and compositions.
Mentors facilitated discussions on how to experiment with aesthetics while staying true to the core of the story they were telling.
Mentorship and Feedback:
Throughout the workshop, participants received one-on-one mentorship from Uma Bista and Riti Sengupta.
This guidance helped participants shape their projects, refine their ideas, and better understand how to represent their narratives effectively.
Feedback sessions focused on technical aspects, ethical considerations, and the representation of subjects, which are crucial components of visual storytelling.
Incorporating Mixed Media:
The workshop encouraged exploring other forms of visual media, including video, audio, and text, making it a holistic learning experience for photographers looking to expand their storytelling capabilities.
Final Project Presentation:
Participants were invited to share their completed or in-progress projects at the end of the workshop. This provided an opportunity to showcase their work and gain constructive feedback from both mentors and fellow participants.
The final presentations ranged from personal stories to documentary-style narratives, each unique in its approach and thematic focus.
Mentors :
Uma Bista: A visual storyteller based in Nepal, Uma’s work is deeply rooted in addressing social, cultural, familial, personal, and political perspectives on gender inequality. With an educational background from Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Angkor Photo, and VII Academy, Uma is a prominent figure in the global photography community. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she was named in the British Journal of Photography’s "Ones to Watch 2019". Uma was also awarded the Magnum Foundation Photography and Social Justice Fellowship (2020). She has been a mentor for Photo Circle’s educational program since 2021 and has worked as an alumni facilitator for the Angkor Photo Workshop.
Riti Sengupta: Based in Calcutta, Riti is an alumna of the National Institute of Design, India, and has participated in several prestigious workshops, including the Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, Angkor Photo Workshop, and VII Academy. Her work blends photography, text, found information, collages, and illustration, and has been exhibited at venues like Les Rencontres d'Arles and the Jakarta International Photo Festival. Riti was awarded the Experimenter Generator Grant (2023) and the Stanley Greene/NOOR Award for Women Documenting Conflict (2018). Her multifaceted approach to visual storytelling made her an invaluable mentor for this workshop.
The Introduction to Visual Storytelling: Vol. 4 workshop proved to be an enriching and impactful experience for all involved. Participants not only improved their technical photography skills but also gained a deeper understanding of how to create meaningful visual stories that resonate with their audience. The mentorship from Uma Bista and Riti Sengupta empowered participants to push their creative boundaries, experiment with new techniques, and refine their storytelling processes.
Each participant left the workshop with an original visual story either completed or in the final stages of development, grounded in the local context of Kalimpong. These stories will serve as important stepping stones in their photographic journeys, allowing them to develop their voices as visual storytellers.
The Confluence Collective is proud to have hosted this workshop, continuing its commitment to fostering creativity and supporting the growth of emerging photographers. With the success of this session, we look forward to future collaborations that will further enrich the visual storytelling community in the region.
The Confluence Collective extends its heartfelt thanks to Photo Circle for their continued collaboration, as well as to the mentors, participants, and the local community of Kalimpong for their active involvement and support. We are excited to see how the stories created during this workshop will evolve and resonate in the future.
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