“I like to dive deeper into why photographers choose to cover certain subjects, and then help them find the best possible way to tell their story from a personal perspective. In this intensive weekend masterclass we’ll have the chance to brainstorm as a group on how to open new directions within your ongoing projects. I find that often when students can be more questioning of the reasons behind their personal connections to a certain topic or subject, their initial approach and methods can be clarified, and a deeper relationship with – and representation of – the subject can further develop. So this class will be all about paving the way to new modes of collaboration in your projects to benefit the final outcome and vision involved.

I also strongly believe that photographing is always a conversation, one that interestingly occurs outside of language. It should never be a one way direction. I think trying to understand our own position in our work is very important. Realizing that, as photographers we are never a fly on the wall, even if we pretend we are.

In my own work I like to ask more questions than giving answers. Creating new work is the opportunity for us to dare ask the hard questions, and raise the doubts we all have around photography outright. Doing so might set us free, and while we won’t find the answers to all questions, we’ll have at least addressed them.

During the first meeting session on Friday we’ll get to know each other better by starting with a ‘virtual roundtable’ briefly introducing each participant, their own backgrounds and positions as photographers, along with the main challenges they face today. Following I’ll deliver a one-hour presentation of my work and career up to now, also sharing how I conceived some of my better known series. You’ll then have the chance to ask me many questions during our group Q&A.

The two next 5-hour meetings on Saturday & Sunday will each be devoted to all the participants and their work, looking at it in depth from multiple perspectives and building crucial, current conversations around it to overcome whatever obstacles might be in its way be it emotionally, technically or conceptually. The format for this will require each of the participant to present their main or most important body of work through 20-25 images, also having more ready in case I want to expand the conversation. I’d also encourage you to writeup a short summary/artist statement that the FotoFilmic team can circulate to everyone beforehand for reference.

Photography can be very lonely, this will be our chance to honestly share with each other, learn from ourselves – myself included – and move through us the photography community forward in these difficult times.”

– BIEKE DEPOORTER