The Significance of Documentary Studies: Insights From Criticae 2022/23

As the new enrollment day deadline is getting closer, Criticae 2022/23 Alumni reflect on a collective experience nurtured by cooperation, effective communication, and enhanced comprehension of documentary tools.

Exploring the complex terrain of storytelling in a post-truth era, our masterclass delves into the relationship between personal and critical approaches in photography. Led by esteemed practitioners Laura El-Tantawy and Max Pinckers, for the first time co-heading the masterclass, this unique 8-month online program empowers participants to define their connection with the medium and cultivate critical documentary strategies.

As the enrollment for the 2023/24 term remains open until June 9, we talked with Angela Crosti, Amanda Witt, Sandra Guldemann, DMT, Moa Nyberg, Michaela Nagyidaiova, and Paula Faraco, alumnae from the 2022/23 edition led by Laura El-Tantawy, to provide honest insights into their experiences, offering prospective students a glance into the educational journey offered by Criticae.

What were some of the most valuable aspects you found in Criticae?

Sandra Guldemann: First Criticae gave me a frame and deadlines on which I could lean to move forward with my project. It forced me to structure my mind and my thoughts in order to be able to understand them and share them. Being confronted with such talented photographers challenged me and pushed me to work hard to produce an interesting project, both visually and contextually.

Michaela Nagyidaiova: For me the most valuable aspects were definitely getting to know new individuals and their work, our overall pleasant group dynamics that was also very supportive. The course also served as my "deadline", so it really helped me to organise myself, my work and motivated me to continue developing my project. It made me feel like I am a part of a community of photographers, which is not a feeling I've had since graduating. It was very intriguing to have discourses on different photography-related topics with the group or our tutor and get to know each other through our visual language and stories. 

Amanda Witt: I greatly appreciated the length of time we had to work with each other. It provided accountability but also created a safe space for our projects to come to life. There were weeks/months during the class when I felt I was making no progress, but then inspiration would strike. This rhythm created momentum for all of the participants, I believe—we would ride the waves together and it was comforting knowing I was on a journey with others. Laura really made this class so special. Her support and creative suggestions were timely and always spot on. I think we all felt she greatly valued her position as our mentor and she truly cared about that role.

Angela Crosti: I guess the aspect that really impressed me the most was the careful and conscious choices made by PhMuseum in selecting the participants for the Masterclass. We all came from different backgrounds, levels of education, age and experiences and we all had different talents and areas of interest to share with the group. We have learnt a great deal from each other.

How do you think the group sessions, individual sessions, and studio visits helped your practice to grow?

Amanda Witt: The various sessions were timed and scheduled in a very helpful and supportive way. When the group came together as a whole, I mentally tried to prepare my work so that I could show progress from our last meetings. With individual sessions, I felt it was okay to come to my computer and speak with honesty - sometimes I had made zero progression or, worse, I felt like I had stepped backwards. I think Laura did a great job of keeping me on track and I’m quite sure that is one of many reasons why she is an excellent mentor. 

Sandra Guldemann: All sessions helped me to think big, push the limits, gain confidence and feel legitimate as a photographer. The studio visits opened my mind to a world I didn’t really know. It showed me how photography was a powerful art and media and how it could mean much more than many people think it is. Individual sessions were always very constructive. The mentoring of Laura was so beneficial, and it was never a one-way discussion. She was wonderful in having me grow, saying the right things with good timing. She also took the time to help me with my identified weaknesses like the editing part. Finally, the group sessions were very interesting, with a lot of learning, many interactions and a will from everybody to share knowledge and support.

Angela Crosti: The group sessions have always been enriching as everyone was sharing their experience, feelings, and concerns on particular topics with an open mind and respect for everyone else's point of view. The individual session offered me tailored advice on my practice, approaches. They helped me in keeping on track, respect deadlines and present new work. Studio visits gave me access to a wider variety of established artists/curators who are normally difficult to reach; I have felt more conscious and knowledgeable after each session.

DMT: The combination of group sessions, individual sessions, and studio visits meant that we were fully supported in progressing our projects. While group sessions were great for overall feedback and support, the one-on-one sessions with Laura allowed me to address specific challenges along the way, and her suggestions helped me to find new approaches to my work. The studio visits also brought a lot to Criticae’s program - the input from skilled professionals was highly beneficial and inspiring - I learned a lot.

What do you think Criticae's additional value to your education path was?

Moa Nyberg: I have a BFA in photography and I also took courses in photography in upper secondary school. A total of 5 years studying photography in one way or another, yet I had never worked on a body of work this large before, and, to be honest, without Criticae I don’t think I would have done it. I was given the tools I needed to make sense of what I was trying to say with my work and develop it further. I never thought I would ever be able to work in this way and now I’m more excited than ever to move on to the next one.

Paula Faraco: Despite the masterclass being about documentary photography, each one of us followed a different pattern. I thought that was very enriching to the idea that we must not be always stuck within one medium. Each one of us used the more fulfilling medium to execute our projects. 

DMT: Before Criticae, I mainly worked in isolation, and as a self-taught photographer, I did not have any education in photography. I think criticae helped me mature in how I think about photography and gave me the space to clarify and explore what I wanted from it. I am definitely not the same photographer I started out as, and I feel this masterclass has helped me to define what I want my practice to look like going forward.

Amanda Witt: It had been several years since being in a formal class setting and I forgot how much I thrive when working and collaborating with peers. I am motivated by others and this class was no exception. I have formed friendships with every individual in the group and I hope to stay connected through the coming years, always cheerleading and lifting them up. Maybe it was luck, but our group felt really special.

Can you describe a specific aspect you worked on during the program, and how Criticae helped it evolve?

Michaela Nagyidaiova: I started Criticae with a thought of a short film in mind and a few months into the course, I was out filming some first scenes for it. It definitely gave me the support (the group but also the course itself) and the confidence to go out and start filming and basically doing something that I've never really done before, which I appreciate, as I could learn something new and have the group to rely on in terms of feedback and help. The course was very open and thus I feel that no one was afraid to share their ideas, opinions, personal projects and images, so it was a really nice environment to work in. 

Sandra Guldemann: The program pointed out the importance of defining precisely the story that I wanted to tell. This was the key point for then create the pictures and selecting them, keeping in mind the necessity of finding a visual signature. As far as my project is concerned, this came progressively, and Laura never stopped driving me towards that goal and even made me find the words that I was probably not able to find myself to describe what I had produced.

Amanda Witt: The project I worked on completely came to life during this program. I was working with archives but only their physical form, I had not reviewed the material nor had I digitized them. The concept was created solely through this program and I am delighted with the direction(s) it has taken. Working in such a ‘Meta’ space, I needed the safety of this class to fully proceed—often I felt the work was maddening, perhaps unworthy or just plain idiotic. The group would walk me through these insecurities and Laura would say: Try it. Try it all. Without that push, I’m certain I would not have made all the videos I am proud to share as a whole now.

Paula Faraco: It helped me work on developing a project on the subject of violence against women. I tried focusing on the love the men who have killed their partner claim they feel in spite of killing them. The group also organised private meetings to further the ongoing projects.

What advice would you give to future students to make the most out of their experience in Criticae?

Angela Crosti: I would say, make the most of the experience. Be open to sharing your practice and anything you can offer to support any member of the group. Criticae offers the opportunity to build up a small community of creatives who inspire you, challenge you and support you. Ask questions, contribute, and make the conversation flow. Most importantly: be committed.

Moa Nyberg: Get to know your group. I never thought I would get so close to one group of people that I’ve never actually met. We all shared our works, thoughts, personal experiences, things going on in our lives etc. It seemed as if everyone in our group either had gone through or were going through (or both) difficult periods in our lives. It was an incredible experience to have all of these like-minded individuals to share experiences with. Letting myself to be vulnerable and letting the rest of the group understand how I think and feel was key to develop my own project as well as better understanding the other projects. I’m so grateful for this experience and even more grateful for the connections I’ve gained on the way.

Amanda Witt: The advice I would give any person lucky enough to have (and ideally fulfil) this experience: listen and try everything. Every suggestion, every comment—listen carefully, remain open and vulnerable. Give your time to others when they might need a boost of confidence. Above all else: no time is wasted creating/making/trying. Mistakes or failed attempts will absolutely always lead to new inspiration and insight. Those attempts will ground your projects and your imagination will expand in ways that only the sense of “failure” can create, so make mistakes and fail, as much as possible! Hopefully, your group will be just as kind, funny and supportive as mine.

DMT: Commit to the program – your learning depends on your level of investment. Be open to exploration and the frustrations and joys of devoting yourself to a project. As a group, support each other, learn from each other and encourage each other. Criticae is a brilliant program that has a lot to offer if you are willing to commit to it.

------Criticae Online Masterclass On Documentary Photography is part of PhMuseum's new educational program, comprising four different masterclasses that will all share a single intake period, running from 18 April to 9 June, with classes beginning in October 2023. Each course is tailored to meet the needs of emerging photographers, artists, curators, and contemporary storytellers looking to bring their methods to the next level. Check out which program suits you best at phmuseum.com/education