The fifth annual Angkor Photo Workshop is coming this July and as of today, April 12th, there are still three spots available. If you or a friend are looking for a way to improve your photography, and are interested in shooting a real-life NGO assignment in Cambodia this July, please have a look at the following videos, interviews, photographs and information below. The 2015 Angkor Photo Workshop is a unique, intimate, photographic learning opportunity available to just six lucky participants. To register for this workshop, visit JimClinePhotoTours.com
The Angkor Photo Workshop includes a multitude of activities including: lectures, one on one instruction, critiques, assignments, and exploration of all things photographic. During the course of the workshop you will learn new skills and techniques, then apply them in real life situations. During the workshop, your results will be reviewed, you’ll be mentored and then you’ll go back out and improve your craft. I will guide you through the process of developing story ideas, compiling the necessary visual components and then help you understand and create visually compelling photo essays and short multimedia presentations.
The workshop, being limited to six participants, provides every person plenty of face time with me during the workshop portion of the trip in (Siem Reap) and then continuing throughout the “road trip” portion of the tour (Phnom Penh and Battambang). In Siem Reap, teams of two photographers will be assigned to a local NGO (Non Government Organization), for whom the team will develop shot lists, create images and develop a media library from which they will create a multimedia slideshow. Upon completion of the project, the slideshow and the library of images will be donated to the NGO as a token of appreciation for allowing us access. During the Phnom Penh and Battambang sections of the trip, participants will develop their own stories and apply the knowledge gained during their NGO project in Siem Reap.
Siem Reap, Cambodia is the gateway to the ancient, jungle clad, Khmer temples of Angkor. A bustling vibrant, town, Siem Reap has an energy and vigor that makes it the perfect place for intrepid photographers to practice and hone their craft. It’s the ideal location for you to be able to concentrate on your photography, and the photographic opportunities of the area are unrivaled: Within close proximity one can explore, temples, markets, lakes, rivers, forests, rice paddies, villages and more. But what makes Siem Reap really special is the friendly spirit of the Khmer people, who, after emerging from a tumultuous past, are now beginning to rebuild their country.
The workshop focus is to push yourself to the limits of your current photo skills and imagination; to have an outstanding and unusual cultural experience; and to enjoy and learn from the company of others. Working comfortably in foreign or new locations, particularly in a developing country, can take years of understanding and experience. My knowledge of the area will jump start you during the acclimation process, so that your can concentrate on your photography assignment.
There will be nightly group dinners with image sharing and on at least 2 of the evenings, I’ll give instructional lectures. On the last night, your top images can be presented to the group during the farewell party. In summary, this is the perfect workshop for anyone who desires to take their visual storytelling skills to the next level! I’ll share my extensive knowledge, challenge you, and cheer you on as you enjoy your photography with a group of like-minded individuals, in one of the most beautiful and photogenic countries in Southeast Asia.
Accommodations are at the luxurious Foreign Correspondents Club and Spa in Siem Reap, the world famous Foreign Correspondents Club in Phnom Penh, and at the beautiful, Bamboo Resort in Battambang.
Prerequisites for the workshop include a solid working knowledge of your camera, skills in image editing and organizing and familiarity with simple multimedia software such as Soundslides, Lightroom slideshow, iMovie or similar. I will contact each participant to discuss pre-workshop needs and requirements as well as to help each participant in the selection of a topic for their assignment/story.
For more information or to register for the 2015 Angkor Photo Workshop, visit Jim Cline Photo Tours. For additional information about my qualifications and experience, here’s a self-produced video chronicling “a day in the life of Karl Grobl, one of the most prolific NGO photographers, working today”. In the last 14 years I’ve shot for more than 85 different NGOs in over 50 countries and I enjoy sharing my vast knowledge and expertise with students at the annual Angkor Photo Workshop.
Here’s a sampling of the work that past participants of the Angkor Photo Worshop have produced
Click here to view the video above
Click here to view: https://vimeo.com/91753091
Here’s what past Angkor Photo Workshop participants have said about their experience
I just wanted to let you know that this Workshop has gone above and beyond what I had hoped for. Karl Grobl is AMAZING…. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that, but we were told this is a “workshop” first, and you would never know it. The amount that Karl has packed into such a brief time is about a 1/3rd more than I would think possible, and I love it. Every lecture, given the time constraints, was precise and understandable. The time we had for shooting, lectures and one-on-one critique was perfect. I have to give you a TON of credit, my photographs are so hugely improved after your course(Angkor Photo Workshop), like night and day, Karl, I still cannot thank you enough for putting together such an amazing Cambodia program. -Jenny
Karl is the most professional, engaging and caring person I have met. His attention to detail is astounding. His knowledge of local conditions and his rapport with the locals opens a lot of doors, that would not have been possible on a self tour. He makes sure everyone is taken care of and is happy. He readily shares his photographic skills and is a wonderful traveling companion. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious and I cannot recommend him highly enough as a tour/workshop leader. -Ayn
Karl Grobl- there are not enough superlatives to describe him! As well as being an outstanding photographer and always willing to listen and pass on his knowledge, he was caring, patient and organized. The local guides were very good and attentive. Overall I enjoyed the workshop and as mentioned earlier I thank you and the team for introducing me to the idea of telling photo stories. As a consequence my interest in photography has been rekindled”. – Darrell
What an amazing gift you have given me – you seem to be the gift that keeps on giving. Not only were you so generous with sharing these, but every image captures the spirit of the moment like I have never seen before. You know I was bursting with happiness this entire trip and now I have that documented. Many, many thanks. You are a very special guy on top of incredible photographer and teacher. I know you say that you are so lucky for having the job you have. But those of us on the receiving end are lucky that many times over. keep up the good life, -Karen
This trip opened up a whole lot of possibilities for me for which I am hugely grateful. I have struggled about how to get motivated to shoot at home. With the idea of doing stories and projects vs random shots, suddenly the world feels like it is opening up: non-profit projects, farmer’s markets (we have almost 50), the dog park Abe’s wife founded, a day in the city, etc. etc, etc. It will give me the opportunity to take a lot of bad photos AND go back over and over again to practice. Having a coherent story, with a shot list, a beginning, middle and end, and the ability for the story to emerge and shift and change and the need for lots of variety is so focusing and expanding at the same time. I know it sounds so simple, but it is a huge paradigm shift and I am very excited. I would not have gotten here without this workshop. -Ivy
“A really fantastic trip got me out of my comfort zone photography-wise and I learnt a lot too, as well as having a great time with new friends. I enjoyed every [photo] location. Karl is a great tour leader, interesting, interested, great advice, always on top of the game. Would very much like to go on another tour with Karl.
I enjoyed my time around Siem Reap with the diversity of locations and the ability to go back and re-shoot locations. Great trip. Would absolutely recommend to others.” -Jasper
“The places we went to shoot were great – in all locations. Karl was his typical awesome self. His review [of my images] was tough but nonetheless very insightful, helpful and appreciated. The classroom sessions were very valuable and definitely helped us to produce a better story. -Lisa ”
The preparation suggestions were great. I especially liked Karl’s packing tips on his Blog. The service at all hotels was exceptional. Great choices on restaurants. Photo opportunities were great. I thought the locations and timing were excellent. The locations, the times and direction of approach we took minimized the amount of tourists we saw. Karl was a wonderful group leader. He handled all of the complex logistical issues behind the scenes and allowed the participants to relax and concentrate on their photography.
I couldn’t have asked for a better host (or instructor). Karl’s ability to react and adapt to the uncertain environment presented by a developing country was un-matched. His familiarity and ease with the Cambodian people and culture made all of our interactions and activities a real pleasure. I feel I learned a lot from Karl – not only technically, but on the approach and interaction with the people we were photographing. Most of my experience with people photography has been taking pictures of friends and family. It was wonderful being able to observe and learn from Karl during his interactions with the Cambodian people.” -Chris
Workshop Dates: July 11-25, 2015 Cost: $4975.00
(Prices above based on payment by check. A service fee will apply if paid by credit card.) Trip leader: Karl Grobl. This trip is limited to only 6 participants. Cost includes: Eight nights in Siem Reap and a 7 day “assignment trip” with 3 nights in Phnom Penh and 3 nights in Battambang. The price includes all 14 nights accommodations all breakfasts and dinners, 2 lunches, all entrance-fees at tourist sites, local English speaking guides, airport transfers and ground transportation (tuk tuks, trains and boat trips). Visit Jim Cline Photo Tours to register .
About Karl (taken from the Jim Cline Photo Tours website)…
Karl Grobl, (co-founder and trip leader, Jim Cline Photo Tours LLC), is a humanitarian photojournalist specializing in the photographic documentation of relief efforts and development work of NGOs worldwide. Calling upon his superb photography talents, both technically and creatively, he proficiently leads photo workshops and international photo tours (on this website).
Beyond his photography attributes, tour clients frequently commend his helpfulness, professionalism and savvy about navigating global travel. In 2013, Karl relocated from San Diego, California to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where he now lives full time. Karl considers Cambodia the perfect place for his Asia-based NGO work and photography tours and workshops. When ‘deplaning’ from his rigorous international travel schedule, Karl lecturers on photography and photojournalism, works on personal photography projects, and scouts out new off-beat photo tour destinations in Asia. In his free time, Karl says that he enjoys ”hanging out at the nearby temples of Angkor, the rural villages and rice paddies, and occasionally getting completely soaked by the refreshing monsoon rains“.
Many of Karl’s images have appeared in publications such as Newsweek, CNN, Geo, Town and Country magazine and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, though the majority of his photos appear in the annual reports, newsletters and communications materials of his humanitarian organization clients.
Over the last ten years, Karl has worked in over 50 countries and has covered and photographed post conflict peace building efforts in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and East Timor, HIV/Aids issues in Africa and Asia as well as Human trafficking in Cambodia and the Philippines. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Karl spent more than a month embedded with five different non-governmental organizations (NGO) documenting tsunami relief efforts in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
The international press has taken notice of Karl’s provoking images: The 2005 Haiti photo-story “City of God” was nominated for a World Press Photo Award.
Karl is a member of the Advisory Council of Focus For Humanity, a non profit organization, who’s mission is to provide financial support, resources and training for professional and amateur photographers wishing to work with NGOs.
“From an early age, my parents instilled in me a desire to explore and learn firsthand about the world around me. Our family vacations and weekend excursions were general education courses disguised as fun. Knowingly or unknowingly they set me on course for a journey that today, is still just beginning. For me, the ongoing quest to document the world’s people and global events that shape our common humanity, have been instrumental in breaking down stereotypes, preconceptions and prejudices. I believe that the more of the world we see and experience, the more we understand. It seems people everywhere, share similar goals, aspirations, hopes and desires. It is with a strong sense of obligation that I share through photographs, the people, places and events that have profoundly shaped my vision of our world. By sharing these experiences with you, I hope to make a small, positive contribution to a heightened sense of world community.” -K. Grobl
Below are some additional links which might be of interest.
Click here: Interviewed by Benevolent Media.org
Click here: Interviewed by Apurture.com
Click here: Interviewed by Heber Vega – Ten Questions-