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Living and working in the Lake Geneva Region but also traveling worldwide with a major international organization, contributor Anna Wang has long been a passionate amateur photographer. Yet as with any avid enthusiast, she has always wanted to share notes and learn from those who do the craft professionally. Anna finally got her chance as part of a week-long workshop in Cambodia with world-renowned photojournalists, Gary Knight, a member of the Paris, New York and Los Angeles-based VII Photo agency and Philip Blenkinsop of NOOR. Both were running a series of workshops and adventures in France, Cambodia and Rajasthan in the Autumn and Winter of 2008 and 2009. (See end of piece for more details on the Masterclass Workshops). Anna will share her experiences and photographs with Essential Edge readers over the next few weeks.

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Pays-de-Gex, France -- First, I have to confess that I did want an excuse to take a paid vacation to a place that I have longed to visit since college: Angkor Wat. There are not many places that conjure up more images of mystery, beauty and history. Oh, and the food...the food. Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat and many other ancient temples, was the site of a photography Masterclass Workshop organized by the VII agency.

I have been a photography enthusiast for a long time and know that I am happiest when I’m traveling with a camera around my neck. But this was a different. I was attending a class organized by two of the world’s best photojournalists of my generation. And furthermore, I was certain that my fellow students would be far more experienced than me. What’s more, they would definitely have a better camera than me! Gasp, they would probably even bring more than one.

I was all excited about the workshop, that is, until I arrived in Cambodia. I then began to worry. Gary Knight, the photography master, had agreed to loan me one of his full-frame cameras. I was too embarrassed to tell him that I didn’t know what a full-frame camera was. Sure, I have a SLR, but full-frame? When I took it from him, he asked if I had used one before, and the only thing I could say was, I brought a book. Oh, I was in trouble. Gary must have sensed my apprehension. He tried to put me at ease by saying that I would do fine. After all, after two days of picture taking, even the rickshaw driver would probably do as well as any of the other students.

If that was supposed to make me feel better, it didn’t quite work. I felt better when I met my fellow students…until I found that I was one of the oldest. However, following a group dinner on the first night, I felt in no time like I had found my lost tribe. Within the group there was a banker, a pilot, a fashion photographer, a computer programmer, a car salesman…but we all spoke one language. We could all spend hours talking about photography and all things associated with photography like gear, traveling and drinking.

I went to bed the first night at 3am full of tequila and second-hand smoke. I set my alarm for 5:30 am. The light between 6-8 am is the best for shooting good pictures. Two hours later, the alarm went off. I opened my eyes and smiled – it’s true tequila does not give you a hang over.

Next Part II.

 

What are VII MASTERCLASS WORKSHOPS?

VII Masterclass Workshop series is designed to give professional photographers and committed amateur photographers opportunities to work and study with some of the most forward thinking, enterprising, and talented working photojournalists today.

The VII workshops are intense and intimate affairs, providing students with complete access to the VII photographers and the ability to take advantage of their work experience, teachings, methodologies and contacts.

The primary focus of the VII Masterclass Workshop series is to help strengthen personal vision, authorship, and story telling. VII has hosted workshops throughout the world in Israel, France, Cambodia, and the United States.

The VII Masterclass Workshops are for photographers who are seeking to advance their work, redirect their focus or take their storytelling to another level. All applicants must have an understanding of the technical aspects of digital photography, including editing software. The VII Workshops do not provide cameras or laptop computers. Students are expected to come prepared as if they were shooting a real assignment.