Wide Open Workshops.
Wide Open Workshops is a two day photo walk organized by Luis Liwanag and Leanne Jazul. For this particular workshop it doesn’t matter if you are a newbie or an experienced photographer and it doesn’t matter if you have a cheap camera or an expensive DSLR. What really matters is the level of passion you bring into the workshop. The photo walk is a stimulating exchange of ideas between likeminded people about street photography in general and what makes a good picture in particular.
Luis and Leanne don’t impose their views about photography. In fact they will let you lose in the streets of Manila for several hours and ask you to come back with your best shots. After an excellent lunch that is included in the workshop fee you will be able to discuss your pictures with all the participants.
Before you hit the streets Luis and Leanne will show you some pictures and discuss which elements make those pictures strong (composition, balancing elements, leading lines, symmetry and patterns, viewpoint, background, depth of field, etc).
What makes the workshop even more stimulating are the “guest photographers” who are joining the workshop while you are shooting in the streets. It is interesting to see the shooting style of all those different photographers. On the second day we were lucky to get the company of Rick Rocamora a multi awarded Filipino photographer. It was funny to see how Rick Rocamora was able to make instant connections with people he met in the streets and how he made them comfortable before starting to shoot. Rick is a great guy, willing to share his knowledge and experience with all the participants. Meeting him was one of the highlights of the workshop.
The second day is build on the same pattern as the first but you now have the possibility to try out the stuff you have learned during the workshop.
I really recommend this workshop to anybody who is based in Manila. The price hardly covers the meals, the transport, the snacks and the drinks. I understood from Luis Liwanag that they are not after the money but that they just enjoy sharing their passion for photography.
I personally learned a lot and I will for sure drop by again in one of their workshops.
In this short photo series I will post some of my pictures I took during the workshop. It is in no way an example of great street photography. It is just what I shoot during those two days.
For updates of the workshop you can join the facebook page of Wide Open Workshops or contact Luis through following email address wideopenworkshops [at] gmail.com
Luis Liwanag.
Luis liwanag, Leanne Jazul and J.a. Santos.
Leanne Jazul, J.a. Santos and Luis Liwanag.
Luis Liwanag.