Japan : Through the Cultural Maze
Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, with Douglas Beasley. November 10 – 19, 2011
Join us on this unique trip to the amazing and contrasting cities of Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan. Tokyo is one of the world's most modern cities yet centuries old temples await around the corner from the most futuristic settings. We will photograph both the old and the new as well as visiting places like the amazing Tsukiji Fish Market. After 3 days we take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, the ancient capital, is where old Japan is still alive. We will wander through through the old streets and mysterious alleys, visit Zen gardens, while making images in Buddhist Temples and Shinto Shrines that reflect a surreal world of inner calm and peace. Our accomodations will be the perfect resting place to relax, edit or review the day's shoot, gather with the group to share a meal, get feedback on work in progress and prepare for another day's journey.
Starting in Tokyo we will gather for our kickoff dinner and orientation night. We will be moving out at full speed the next morning and will continue to explore Tokyo for 5 days, when we will take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto. Then we will be exploring and photographing the gardens and temples of old Kyoto. We return Tokyo, with a ‘sayonara’ party and group slideshow of our adventures.
Our instructor for this workshop is Douglas Beasley, a fine art and commercial photographer interested in the spiritual realm of art and photography and whose mother is from Japan and published a photo book “Japan: A Neisei’s First Encounter” of his first trip to Japan, funded by a Jerome Travel Study Grant for artists. He will be there to help each participant go deeper into the image making process and help facilitate making photos that reflect not only the spirit of Japan but who you are and what is important in your image making process as well. Also joining us as translator and guide will be Ms Yoshiko Mizuki, a writer and researcher accustomed to working with foreign journalists. She will accompany us on daily field trips and will be there to help as Doug and Sonia give assignments, critiques, problem solve, inspire and give feedback on your imagery.
Who Should Attend:
Open to all levels of experience. Both digital and film, in all formats, welcome. Partners of photographers also welcome on this one as well.
Dates:
Thursday November 10 (arrival in Tokyo) to Saturday November 19 (departure from Tokyo), 2011
Workshop Fee:
$5,800.00 ($5,500 if paid by July 1st) includes 10 nights lodging, travel within Japan, all entrance fees, most breakfasts and dinners. Participants are responsible for airfare to and from Tokyo, some meals and personal expenditures. A $700 deposit must accompany registration, with balance due September 31, 2011.
Class limit:
8
