GREG GIRARD: “HERE AND NOW IN SHANGHAI AND HONG KONG”
NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 4, 2026
* * SEPT 6 EARLY BIRD APPLICATION DEADLINE * *
[8-DAY TRAVELING WORKSHOP]
GREG GIRARD: “HERE AND NOW IN SHANGHAI AND HONG KONG”
SHANGHAI (NOVEMBER 27-29) + HONG KONG (DECEMBER 2-4, 2026)
FotoFilmic is beyond excited to announce a new late Fall 2026 8-Day Traveling Workshop with documentary photography legend Greg Girard based in Shanghai, and Hong Kong!
Few other cities can boast a more emblematic backdrop for Greg Girard’s groundbreaking photographic career spanning five decades across the Asian continent. The famous artist and book author lived for many years in both cities from the early 1980s through the early 2000s, documenting the vast economic and social changes taking place there at a rapid pace with his unique storytelling depth and elegance.
One would be hard-pressed to think of a better photographic itinerary to spend meaningful time learning closely from Greg Girard! Yet this will be the privileged experience of a lifetime for a small group of photographers, who will embark on an 8-day thrilling creative adventure starting in Shanghai and continuing in Hong Kong after a 2-day travel recess.
Each day will revolve around the making of fresh new images in both places with the guidance of the artist. In the morning time, Greg will offer a few illuminating presentations of his iconic Shanghai and Hong Kong work, both which can be found compiled today in his iconic photobooks “Phantom Shanghai” (Magenta Foundation, 2007), “City of Darkness: Life in Kowloon Walled City” (Watermark, 1993), and “HK:PM. Hong Kong Night Life 1974-1989” (Asia One, 2017). In addition, two distinguished guest speakers (to be announced!) will round out Greg’s photographic introductions to both cities by contributing their expert knowledge and insiders’ perspectives in support of the participants’ explorations.
The group will also reconvene daily for group critiques and editing sessions to help participants keep forging ahead, complemented by 30-minutes individual meetings with the master photographer in each city. These two one-on-one conversations will offer each participant the rare chance to engage with Greg on a more individual in-depth track, and receive his tailored advice on how to successfully move their practice forward in the years to come.
On the last day, participants will have their best Shanghai and Hong Kong work receive Greg’s final edit for the purpose of the workshop’s special edition JRNL, a limited run publication exclusively made for the participants’ group. Print copies will be mailed out to them early in the new year.
Participation is limited to 12 photographers.
Early Bird applications are accepted until Sunday, September 6, 2026.
A FEW WORDS FROM GREG:
“Shanghai and Hong Kong over the decades have become China’s most outward looking, globally connected cities. With their separate but interconnected histories, each city has a unique role in portraying what “urban China” means today. Our workshop in late November and early December looks at both of these dynamic metropolises where participants will photograph the day to day, lived reality of this very particular, far reaching Here and Now.”
– Greg Girard
⇣⇣ Scroll down to the application form section now to fill out your information, and secure your spot! ⇣⇣
All photographs © Greg Girard
– Top banner: Neighbourhood demolition, Fangbang Dong Lu, 2005. From the book Phantom Shanghai (Magenta Foundation, 2007)
– Bottom banner: Aircraft Beacon, Kowloon, 1985. From the book City of Darkness: Life in Kowloon Walled City (Watermark, 1993)
© Greg Girard. House on Huashan Lu, North View, Lane 322, Huashan Lu, 2005. From the book Phantom Shanghai (Magenta Foundation, 2007).
© Greg Girard. Neighborhood demolition/construction, 2005.
© Greg Girard. Bedside table with lamp, Shanghai interiors, 2001-2006.
WORKSHOP & TRAVEL SCHEDULE
[ Subject to change/minor adjustments as needed ]
Friday, November 27 [Shanghai Day #1]
Morning: Workshop introduction, first participants’ portfolio reviews
Afternoon: first participants’ portfolio reviews cont’d
Evening: participants start photographing
Saturday, November 28 [Shanghai Day #2]
Morning: Greg Girard lecture + Shanghai Guest Speaker presentation
Afternoon: 1:1 individual meetings with Greg Girard (30 minutes per participant, Group A); other participants (Group B) continue photographing
Afternoon/evening: all participants continue photographing
Sunday, November 29 [Shanghai Day #3]
Morning: 1:1 individual meetings with Greg Girard continue (30 minutes per participant, Group B); other participants (Group A) continue photographing
Afternoon: Editing group session of Shanghai work with Greg Girard
Evening: all participants continue photographing
Monday November 30 + Tuesday December 1 [Shanghai -> Hong Kong Travel Recess]
Traveling from Shanghai to Hong Kong
Wednesday, December 2 [Hong Kong Day #1]
Morning: Greg Girard lecture + Hong Kong Guest Speaker presentation
Afternoon: 1:1 individual meetings with Greg Girard (30 minutes per participant, Group A); other participants (Group B) continue photographing
Afternoon/evening: all participants continue photographing
Thursday, December 3 [Hong Kong Day #2]
Morning: 1:1 individual meetings with Greg Girard continue (30 minutes per participant, Group B); other participants (Group A) continue photographing
Afternoon/Evening: all participants continue photographing
Friday, December 4 [Hong Kong Day #3]
All day: final editing group session of Hong Kong + late Shanghai work with Greg Girard
Evening: Farewell drinks
© Greg Girard. Bar interior, 1985. From the book HK:PM. Hong Kong Night Life 1974-1989 (Asia One, 2017).
© Greg Girard. Plaza Grill – Wanchai 1974.
© Greg Girard, Kids on Rooftop, Kowloon Walled City, 1989.
ABOUT GREG GIRARD:
© Marie Romanova
Greg Girard is a Canadian photographer who has spent much of his career in Asia. His work has examined the social and physical transformations in Asia, especially in its largest cities, for more than four decades. He is the author of several photographic books. City of Darkness Revisited, published 2014, revives an early collaboration with co-author Ian Lambot, and updates their influential book, City of Darkness: Life in Kowloon Walled City (Watermark, 1993). Based in Shanghai between 1998 and 2011, his photographic monograph, Phantom Shanghai (Magenta, Toronto, 2007), with a foreword by novelist William Gibson, looks at the rapid and at times violent changes in China’s largest city as Shanghai raced to remake itself at the beginning of the 21st Century. Other recent titles include JAL 76-88 (Kominek, Berlin), Tokyo-Yokosuka 1976-1983, (Magenta, Toronto, 2019), Hotel Okinawa, (The Velvet Cell, Osaka, 2017); Under Vancouver 1972-1982 (Magenta, Toronto, 2017); Hanoi Calling (Magenta, Toronto, 2010); and In the Near Distance (Kominek, Berlin, 2010), a book of early photographs made in Asia and North America between 1973 and 1986. The International Centre of Photography in New York featured his series “Half the Surface of the World”, a survey of US military bases and their host communities in Asia, in 2012. His work is in the collection of National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Vancouver Art Gallery, M+ Museum Hong Kong, and other public and private collections. National Geographic Magazine in a special issue in 2022 cited his photograph from a story on gene editing, titled ‘The DNA Revolution’, as one of this century’s ‘100 best photos’. He is represented by Monte Clark Gallery, North America; WKM Gallery, Hong Kong; and Kominek Gallery, Berlin.
https://www.greggirard.com/
@gregforaday
GREG GIRARD
SHA + HKG
11.27–12.4, 2026
REGISTRATION FEES & DEADLINES:
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION FEE: $3150 USD
Deadline: Sunday, September 6, 2026
PAST ATTENDEE REGISTRATION FEE: $2950 USD
Deadline: Sunday, September 6, 2026
REGULAR REGISTRATION FEE: $3350 USD
Deadline: from September 7, 2026, and until filled.
REGISTRATION DEPOSIT ($1500 USD): photographers accepted into the workshop must confirm their participation by sending a Registration Deposit. Their remaining registration balance will then come due by Friday, October 23, 2026.
APPLICATION REVIEWS: Applications are reviewed weekly on a first-come first-served basis throughout the registration period. Our review and acceptance process usually takes a week from the day your application is received: applying early is therefore recommended for greater chances of selection.
PAYMENT PLANS Flexible monthly payment plans are available to all selected photographers at their request and at no additional cost. For more details, read the “Registration Deposit & Payment Plan” section below ⇣
TRAVEL & STAY
Flights, local transportation, meals and accommodations in either Shanghai or Hong Kong are not included in any registration fees. However, a detailed workshop information packet will be sent to all confirmed participants to help coordinate their stay in Shanghai and Hong Kong. It will list a number of recommended accommodation options, as well as local transportation directions, and more important logistical tips.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications to register are free (no fee to apply). Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. Photographers from all education backgrounds, and at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply (film and digital both OK). Submitting a portfolio of 15-20 images focused on past and/or ongoing work is required in order to receive full consideration.
REGISTRATION DEPOSITS & PAYMENT PLANS
Selected photographers accepted into the workshop are required to confirm their participation by sending either a $1500 USD registration deposit, or a full Early Bird/Past Attendee/Regular registration payment within 10 days of their acceptance date.
If sending a registration deposit, the remaining tuition balance for accepted applicants will come due in full by Friday, October 23, 2026.
Flexible monthly payment plans are also available to all selected photographers, and incur no additional cost. If interested in subscribing to a free registration payment plan, please choose the appropriate application profile that includes one, or directly inquire before Sunday, September 6, 2026 with FotoFilmic Co-Director Bastien Desfriches Doria at bastien@fotofilmic.com. Please note that all plan payments remain non-transferable and non-refundable, and that final plan payments must also be received no later than Monday, November 16, 2026.
CANCELLATIONS/WITHDRAWALS
The deadline to withdraw your participation and request a refund is Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Please note that a $250 USD cancelation fee remains applicable. Cancelation and refund requests received after Wednesday, September 30, 2026 will not be accepted.
In the event the program is not meeting minimum enrollment or needs to be canceled for any other reason, paid tuition will be refunded in full without any cancelation fee applied. Please also note that FotoFilmic cannot be held responsible for any unrefunded traveling expenses if the workshop is not running: purchasing travel insurance is therefore highly recommended.
QUESTIONS/CONTACT
For any questions or inquiries, please contact FotoFilmic Co-Director Bastien Desfriches Doria directly at bastien@fotofilmic.com