Gate Crasher

Welcome to Guru’s Gate Crasher, your ultimate guide to finding something fresh to do in this big city.

Photography Workshop

Celebrated Bangkok-based photojournalist and author Nic Dunlop will share some of his coveted expertise in a six-day photography workshop next month (Jul 27-Aug 1). Nic and guest tutor Nana Chen will teach you how to research, shoot and edit a professional photo essay, with emphasis on the creative side of storytelling. Price is $1,495 (B48,900) for the special event (limited to 15 people) that will be held at fave creative hangout The Jam Factory (Khlong San Pier, 41/1-5 Charoen Nakhon 24, fb.com/TheJamFactoryBangkok). Visit www.photographer.asia. We spoke to Nic on the cusp of the workshop.

WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO THE MEDIUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY?

I’m curious and photography is a wonderful way to check out the world. And informed photography can be a powerful medium. It makes real the lives and cultures of people different to our own and transcends linguistic and cultural barriers.

WHAT LED YOU TO ORGANISE THE WORKSHOPS?

When I started out as a photographer in the early 1990s, I had no training, no assistance and no mentors in the photographic world (I was planning to return to art school to study fine art) so I was really on my own. So learning was a long and difficult process. I wanted to offer the kind of course that I could have used early on in my own career. This workshop is aimed at giving people the kinds of guidance and help that I never had. It’s also an opportunity to meet like-minded people in a relaxed and stimulating environment.

More people are taking photographs now than at any time in history. But how many people think about how images work? What do they tell us? Why do some attract our attention when others fail to be seen? The saturation of photographic images has made photography almost invisible; few of us reflect when everything is instantaneous. It occurred to me that the way we ‘read’ images is also poor. And it got me thinking: Why not set up a workshop that explores some of these issues?

CAN ANYONE BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER?

Everyone takes photographs so yes, anyone can be a photographer. What we want to offer people (from tourists to locals and residents) is the chance to hone skills that are not dependent on technical ability. It’s about content as well as composing strong images. It’s the ideas, research and the thinking and discussion that is as important as the practicalities of going out and getting the kinds of images that really tell a story.

HOW ESSENTIAL IS HAVING THE BEST EQUIPMENT?

Too much is made of equipment. It’s great to have good gear but nowadays the quality of the equipment is so high that it’s not an issue — even with smartphones. As I said, it’s about the ideas and their execution, not the gear. I’ve taken some really nice images on a pretty basic point and shoot. And if someone wants to attend with an iPhone, they’d be very welcome. It’s about the process of putting together a photo story
as much as the result.

WHO WOULD BENEFIT THE MOST FROM ATTENDING THE WORKSHOPS?

The workshop is open to anyone; from those on holiday to people who live here. We’re expecting a wide range of individuals and with one-on-one mentoring we can assist anyone no matter what their experience. So we have some folk who are interested in having a different kind of experience to people working for NGOs who wish to improve their skills; so from beginners to
the more experienced.

The suggestively named group Zoo (fb.com/soundsatzoo) will play in Bangkok tonight (Jun 6). All the press material has dubbed them as the Massive Attack of India, so expect some atmospheric synth-driven grooves. They are looping around the region to help push the release of their debut album Atoms and Combinations. Venue is Bangkok Betty (G/F, Holiday Inn Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Soi 22). Entry is B200.

For some non-alcohol-related fun, Preduce continue their persistent efforts in bringing up the skate culture in the region with another event, CONS Project Bangkok. This one involves a DIY skate cruisers workshop, street art workshop, Preduce’s Sawatdee video premiere and an after party, from 10am. Attendance for the workshops is free, but registering is required (www.preduce.com). Venue is A Square (120 Sukhumvit Soi 26, fb.com/asquarebangkok).

For the serious bedroom bartenders in this city, two events will take place on Sun (Jun 8). First up is food/hack#014 — Prohibition Era Mixology, a collaborative effort that will bring the best of the period’s cocktail and music to Sugar Ray (2/F, Baan Ekkamai, Ekamai Soi 21, goo.gl/mju2DQ) from 1-5pm. Cost is B2,500 in advance, limited to 15 people. Check FB. While the second jaunt Eat ‘Em Naked, will happen from 5pm at craft brewer outlet Mikkeller (26 Ekamai Soi 10 Yaek 2, fb.com/mikkellerbangkok). On offer will be organic sea urchins and premium oysters, paired with their craft beers. G