Photography is a powerful medium for disseminating stories and ideas, and providing a space for urgent reflection on the world and a means for self-examination. Yet how can we define a shared sense of realism in a hyper-individual and confusing era of post-truth and fake news, in which there is no longer a consensus about what is real, half-truth, fiction, or entertainment? How do we narrate stories that are "ours" to tell and how do we define our relationship with the medium in an era where everyone is empowered to tell their own story with a camera?
The masterclass joins the experience of the past years into a unique program that explores the relationship between personal and critical methods. Led by international renown practitioners Laura El-Tantawy and Max Pinckers, participants will delve into different modes of storytelling, questioning the documentary aspect of photography and its various media.
The program will be conducted online over the course of 8 months. Its goal is to lead you to complete a personal project and acquire valuable skills. The course departs from the documentary’s inherent ‘twofoldness’ while will let you explore the collaborative and idiosyncratic, philosophical and intuitive, emotional and analytical. Alternating collective and individual meetings, you will define your relationship with the medium and develop critical documentary strategies.
At the end of the masterclass, one or more participants will be selected for an exhibition at the PhMuseum Lab - a real chance to present your work in a public venue and get international exposure. To participate, simply fill in the form with your personal details, share a link to your portfolio and apply for free. If your candidacy is successful, we guide you to enroll in the program.
With 8 online group classes and 6 seminars, Laura El-Tantawy and Max Pinckers will share their experience and working methods related to contemporary photography, guiding you in developing your project and introducing you to the theoretical frameworks for both critical and personal documentary strategies.
You will have a total of 4 online 30-min individual sessions: 2 with Laura El-Tantawy and 2 with Max Pinckers. In these private meetings, you will have time to engage in specific discussions aimed at working on your assignment ideas and improving your methods. Sessions are tailor-made according to your specific needs and that of your practice.
To grant you industry insight and offer complementary information, we have invited expert practitioners to host 12 interactive studio visits. They will disclose the methodologies behind their work and offer you a better understanding of their role in the industry. Scroll down to discover who they are. These sessions will also be joined by Folio and Mediae Masterclasses participants.
At the end of the program, you can present your projects live on PhMuseum's Youtube channel. Moreover, one or more photographers will exhibit at PhMuseum Lab, our headquarters in Bologna, Italy. All participants will further benefit from dissemination opportunities through PhMuseum channels.
I am an Iranian photographer, film maker and curator living in the UK. My work questions the identity, it expresses something personal, which pertains to a general issue.
© Zöe Maxwell
Elisa Medde edits, curates and writes about photography and visual culture. She has served as Editor-in-Chief of Foam Magazine, Amsterdam for 11 years.
Jon Uriarte (Hondarribia, Spain) is an artist, curator and educator. He is curator of digital programmes at The Photographers Gallery in London, UK and served as curator of Getxophoto Image Festival in Getxo, Spain until 2022.
Is a curator, writer and lecturer based in Zurich and Montreux. Since 2018, he has been a curator and responsable de projets d’expositions at the Photo Elysée in Lausanne.
Dutch graphic designer Sybren Kuiper studied Dutch language and literature at the University of Utrecht. After graduating, he studied graphic design at the art academy, also in Utrecht. Since 1994 he works as an independent graphic designer.
Get first-hand experience with international photographers like Laura El-Tantawy and Max Pinckers, enhancing your theoretical and practical approach to both critical documentary photography and personal narratives.
Enroll from anywhere in the world, taking the opportunity to engage in a program you can attend while working or traveling. All the group sessions and studio visits are recorded so you can follow them if you missed them.
At the end of the masterclass, all the participants will have completed their projects, ready to present in a final form. Plus, one or more participants will exhibit their projects at the PhMuseum Lab in 2024.
Enjoy a high-end program at our launching price, one of the most competitive on the market. If you don’t have the resources, you can also apply for 1 fully-funded scholarship.
Engage with a selected group of peers and professionals from around the world, who can become a resource for you now and in the future. Get to know the PhMuseum team and promote your work through our channels and connections.