Spend ten days “on assignment” exploring life in and around the world of Capetown, considered to be one of the most beautiful and captivating cities in the world. Participants are based out of a magnificent beach resort on the edge of majestic Capetown called Monkey Valley, which David refers to as a piece of heaven on earth.

The workshop replicates the experience of being on assignment for a magazine such as the National Geographic. With David’s coaching and guidance, each photographer will select a project theme and will be assigned an experienced local guide and driver called a “fixer.” The fixer knows the area and local culture and will provide support necessary to earn personal access to help create a compelling body of work over the course of ten days. Limited to 12 persons, the workshop will culminate in a group show consisting of a collection of individual essays.

Photographers of all experience levels are encouraged to attend. To help participants overcome insecurities of approaching strangers and alleviate any feelings of intrusion, David prepares the group with a deeper understanding of their role as a photographer. Participants will learn the art of capturing real moments in people’s lives with mindful composition and lighting, and the process of constructing an essay of photographs.

Detailed Schedule

Day 1

9am-11am

The workshop will begin with introductions, an outline of the week’s program, and a review of what each person hopes to achieve during the week.

11am-12pm.

•David will discuss the essentials of creating an essay:

•The art of casting (choosing a subject)

•How to earn access to a subject’s life or a group’s dynamic

•Overcoming apprehensions, fears, and sense of intrusion to photograph

•The elements of a great image

•The art of telling a story with photography

1-7pm

We will review the individual project/story ideas and finalize the logistics of pursuing your story. We will address all transportation issues and review safety precautions. Photographers will then head into the field to make the first contact with their stories.

Day 2

9am-11am

The group will meet to discuss the progress of the previous day’s subject interaction. There will be a group discussion on approach and technique in dealing with your chosen topic.

11am-6pm

Photographers will enter the field and begin exploring their individual project topics. 

Each day David will work individually with two photographers to privide real-time, personal assistance and advice as they shoot on location.

Day 3

9am-12pm

David will review the participant’s work from the previous day’s photography. Pariticpants are encouraged to take part in the discussion of the work.

1pm-6pm

The photographers will head back into the field and work on their individual project.

6pm-7pm

David meets one-on-one with two different participants (roughly 30 minutes each) to look at their past work and discuss where they want to go with photography. This is not mandatory for those who do not have past work to bring. These sessions are highly personalized and the group is free to attend but not required to.

Day 4

9am-12pm

Excursion Trip to City of Capetown. The morning will be spent at the District Six Apartheid Museum where participants can learn more about the cultural history of the city.

12pm

The group is free to explore the city at their own pace. This time can be used to photograph or to learn more about the host city.

Optional 

The group can meet David for tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel. “No visit to Cape Town is complete without experiencing Mount Nelson’s legendary Afternoon Tea. Famous foodies and travel writers the world over describe it as being one of the best afternoon tea experiences in the world.”

3pm-6:30pm

Excursion trip to Robben Island. “From the 17th to the 20th centuries, Robben Island served as a place of banishment, isolation and imprisonment. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum, a poignant reminder to the newly democratic South Africa of the price paid for freedom.”

6:30pm

Participants will stroll along the waterfront with David and photograph in the last light of day.

7:30pm

The group will join David for a dinner along the waterfront at a local restaurant. This will be an opportunity to share impressions of the day in Capetown and for open-ended group discussion with David

Day 5

9am-12pm

David will review the participant’s work to date. Participants are encouraged to take part in the discussion of everyone’s work.

1pm-6pm

The photographers will head into the field and work on their individual projects.

Day 6

9am-3pm

Excursion trip to the Meerlust Wine Estate. This is the oldest wine estate in South Africa and still owned and run by Hannes Myberg who’s family has been there since 1682. You will have the run of the roost to wander the estate to photograph, enjoy a wine tasting with the Meerlust Sommelier, and have lunch with Hannes in his private home on the estate. It is an opportunity to discuss the evolution of South Africa with one of the country’s most prominent wine makers and Afrikaners.

4-6pm

This time will also be an opportunity for David to meet one on one with more participants to look at their past work and discuss where they want to go with photography. This is not mandatory for those who do not have past work to bring. These sessions are highly personalized and the group is free to attend but not required to do so.

Day 7

9am-12pm

David will review the participant’s work to date. Particpants are encouraged to take part in the discussion of the work.

1pm-6pm

The photographers will head into the field and work on their individual project.

Day 8

9am-12pm

David will review the participant’s work to date.

1-6pm

The photographers will head into the field and work on their individual project.

8pm-10pm

The evening will conclude with a presentation of the work of a prominent South African based photographer, to be announced.

Day 9

All Day

The photographers will head into the field and work on their individual projects. 

6pm-7pm

David will meet one on one with two different participants.

Day 10

8:30am-4pm

The group will spend the day editing and review the work they have done over the course of the workshop in preparation for the final slide show. 

5pm. 

The group will meet to watch a slideshow of the participants work and discuss the workshop. We will conclude with a final dinner and party to celebrate the unique and wonderful workshop together.

Capetown, South Africa

November 30 - December 11

Tuition

$6500 (limited to 12 participants)

$5500 companion rate

Included:

1. • Accommodation in a private self contained suite in the Stunningly beautiful Crowned Eagle Villa overlooking the eight mile beach and bay of Noordhoek on the edge of Capetown.
   

2. •A fixer and driver to accompany each photographer during his photographic work in the field.
   

3. •Two group meals at special Capetonian Restaurants.
   

4. • Excursions to Robben Island, and Capetown’s District Six Apartheid Museum
   

5. •Photograph the oldest wine estate in South Africa and enjoy a private meal and wine tasting with the owner Hannes Myburgh
   

Not included

1. • International Airfare to and from South Africa.
   

2. •Daily meals and incidentals.
   

More About the Workshop

“David has documented history by photographing the evolution of South Africa over the last twenty-five years. His book MANDELA: IN TIMES OF STRUGGLE AND TRIUMPH bares witness to a  pivotal moment in the country’s history and the life of the heroic leader Nelson Mandela since his release from prison in 1991.

Participants will stay in the beautiful Monkey Valley Resort that offers stunning ocean views and a truly relaxing refuge to come home to at the end of a  day photographing in the field.

Capetown, South Africa was chosen as the destination for our 2010 workshop because it offers a truly diverse and exciting visual environment.

Table Mountain provides a dramatic backdrop to a city framed by wild oceans, exceptional nature, sweeping wine vineyards, and one of the most multi-cultural and vibrant night lives in the world.

Cape Town also offers participants the opportunity to explore social and cultural issues throughout the densely populated Townships.

While in Capetown, participants will work closely with David in the field focusing on how to conceive, shoot, and edit a project. David will coach students to move beyond their fear of working intimately with subjects and provide detailed instruction on the traditional and non traditional elements of great photography; light, composition, moment, harmony, enigma, intimacy, lines of energy in a visual frame, and serendipity.

Particpants will choose a topic or theme from a wide-ranging list of suggestions from our team or their own research with which to photograph during the workshop. Some examples of topics include:

1. • Horse Farms (of Noordhoek)
   

2. • Muizenberg- Surfing Culture
   

3. • Local and Commercial Fishing Ports
   

4. • Townships and Social Issues
   

5. • Local NGO’s
   

6. • Many others
   

Our team will help facilitate the logistics of your individual topic prior to and upon arrival in Cape Town to ensure maximum time is spent on your photography. Driver- guides will be used to ensure safety and ease of transportation.

•A day at a local wine estate with wine tasting.

•A ferry ride to and tour of Robben Island, former prison to Nelson Mandela and World Heritage Site

•A group tour of a Township

•A day touring and photographing the city of Cape Town with David.

•Three group meals at local restaurants.

Individual time will be set aside for critiques and mentoring throughout the course and there will be lectures that range from David’s personal work on Apartheid to digital workflow and asset management.

The workshop will be limited to 12 participants and will emphasize individualized, supportive attention for each student. Spouse accompaniment is welcomed and our team will work with you to make arrangements. Please contact us with questions.