7-Day Street Photography Workshop
An intensive 7 days of candid street photography in this fascinating and unique city. Learn and develop the skills to take your street photography to a whole new level, including how to select and edit your images. Explore the best locations the city has to offer for street photography and gain a taste of the culture through the local cuisine and engagements with people on the street.
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Time/Dates: 9am Sunday 10th March – 6pm Saturday 16th March 2024
Cost: £1200 GBP
Why Hanoi, Vietnam?
Visually, Hanoi is a Street Photographer’s playground. There is such a range of interesting stories and scenes around every corner, it is a fascinating city to explore and become lost in. Even though we had close to no sun during our last trip, there was still plenty of interest to play with during the day. At night prepare yourself to be greeted by the amazing smells of Vietnamese food where the roadside pavements transform into restaurants with shin-high seats and socialising, providing interesting scenes. While Hanoi is a bustling capital city, there is a calmness to the chaos, the kind that I have yet to witness elsewhere. This is perfect for getting into the right mindset for street photography, without feeling overwhelmed.
The people are warm, friendly, genuine and welcoming. On our last trip there, while out and about with my camera, I was invited to join a pre-wedding party on the streets and a morning Latin & ballroom dancing class taking place by the lake. Meanwhile, my wife was given a spontaneous Tai Chi lesson by a lady not shy about correcting her posture. There is a deep sense of community and pride in their heritage that makes Hanoi special.
March is one of the best times of year to visit Hanoi, with the climate being a warm 18-24 C and low rainfall.
In addition to the photography elements detailed above, I want you to leave Hanoi with a real taste of Vietnamese culture. I’ll provide context to the things we are seeing and arrange the opportunity for you to meet some local photographers while we are there. While exploring the amazing range of locations in Hanoi, you can also expect to sample Vietnamese coffee, the world-famous roadside pho, delectable banh mi, one-of-a-kind delicious Vietnamese sandwiches and many more mouth-watering treats. Hanoi’s culinary scene sure is a delightful journey for the taste buds.
What to expect from this 7-day workshop?
This workshop is perfect for those looking for a life-changing adventure with their camera. Learn and develop your street photography skills while immersing yourself in a fascinating city and culture. Two of my favourite things about street photography are 1) it trains your eye to see so much more; and 2) the camera is a great icebreaker for connecting with the people around you. Both of these offer a richer way to explore a new city and country.
On the workshop, you can expect a mix of theory, critique and a lot of shooting the streets in this unique and character-rich city. The only skill-level requirement is that you feel comfortable with the camera you will be using.
We’ll spend the first morning in the classroom covering some theory, street photography themes, the morals of street photography, and lots of practical tips, including how to overcome the fear of shooting in public. Armed with this knowledge, we’ll then hit the streets and spend most of the time exploring this fascinating city on foot with our cameras. Initially, you’ll be given some mini-assignments to help train your eye to see and notice more. You’ll then be encouraged to start following more of your own interests to develop your own voice and style. By limiting my workshops to 5 participants, I can provide a lot of 1-2-1 guidance with critiques and advice tailored to you.
During the 7 days, we will be learning, shooting and enjoying meals together. Expert some early starts and late finishes, to help make this experience as rich as possible. You will also be introduced to dawn and night shooting.
10% Supports A Local Charity
Recognising that we are guests in a country where the majority don’t have the same opportunities we do, 10% of your payment will go to supporting a local charity. Details of the charity will be shared on the workshop.
What will you learn?
- ⇒ Introduction to the Theory of Street Photography
- ⇒ Street Photography Compositions and Themes
- ⇒ Overcome the fear of shooting in public
- ⇒ Shoot with respect for your subjects
- ⇒ How to build complex images
- ⇒ Find/develop your own voice/style
- ⇒ See so much more in the everyday
What you need to bring?
- ⇒ Camera
- ⇒ Batteries & Cards
- ⇒ Whatsapp installed on your smartphone
- ⇒ Something for Notetaking
- ⇒ Comfy Shoes
- ⇒ Weather Appropriate Clothing
- ⇒ Water Bottle
- ⇒ Laptop for culling + editing your images
Hanoi, Vietnam
£1,200
If sold out, email matt@streetwithmatt.com to join the wait list
Testimonials
“Matt’s depth of knowledge and passion for street photography makes him a ridiculously inspiring & talented educator. His morals & ethics also shine through in his street teachings.”
– Kevin Kheffache –
“Matt creates a great feel-good atmosphere with his patient and humorous manner, which makes learning easier and his honest criticism was constructive at all times.”
– Nadine Lotze –
“Matt breaks the practice down to a really easy-to-understand level that would suit photographers of all abilities and backgrounds. It was a perfect mix of theory and practical and his constructive feedback was incredibly helpful.”
– Danny Jack –
“I felt pushed out of my comfort zone but only enough to test the waters and not feel completely out of my depth!”
– Anja Poehlmann –
“Even as a seasoned photographer, I learned new things that will help in both my wedding photography as well my street photography. I felt refreshed and left itching to apply what I had learned in my future photography.”
– Soven Amatya –
FAQs for 7-Day Workshops
What is included in the price?
All educational elements including theory sessions, critiques and 1-2-1 mentoring during the trip are included. I will also be taking you to the best street locations and restaurants/bars/cafes in the city, which has been researched in advance.
You will be responsible for all of your own expenses during the trip, including flights, travel, visas, accommodation, travel insurance and meals.
Will we stay at the same hotel?
Because people’s individual budgets and tastes can vary so much when it comes to accommodation, you are free to stay where you like. For each workshop I will either recommend a hotel or provide the address of where the theory element will be taking place, so that we can try and stay close to each other, making meeting up and socialising easier.
How long are the days?
It will be an intensive 7 days, often starting early and finishing late at night. So best not to make any other plans during this time. We will meet at 9am on the first day (starting with theory in a classroom setting) and finish at 6pm on the last day, followed by a meal out if people don’t need to leave for the airport.
What gear do you recommend for street photography?
When it comes to gear with street photography, less is generally more. So I always recommend one body and one prime lens. It’s also good to have a relatively wide lens. Personally, I always shoot with a 35mm or 28mm prime lens (full frame). The quality of the lens or camera isn’t important as long as you are comfortable using it.
What skill level is required for this workshop?
This workshop is for all skill levels. The only requirement for attending this workshop is that you are comfortable using your camera (I do not recommend buying a new camera, which you are not familiar with, for this trip).
The first day will cover an intro to street photography theory and fundamentals, along with some mini assignments on the street to help train your eye to see more of the world around you.
The rest of the week will focus on helping you discover your own street photography style and exploring the exciting city we found ourselves in. With only 5 attendees per workshop, you will receive a significant amount of 1-2-1 time with me.
How many people will be on the workshop?
My 7-day workshops are limited to 5 attendees. The smaller number allows us to blend in more with our environment on the streets when we’ve got our cameras out. It also allows me to target the content more towards your ability, especially during the 1-2-1s.