How a War Photographer Can Help You Take Better Pictures

You and your camera are not headed off to a battle zone any time soon, so what can you learn from ace photojournalist Christopher Grabowski as he draws on his experience in Afghanistan when he offers his Tyee Master Class on May 10?

Plenty. Because Grabowski's class "Photography in Challenging Environments: Nailing Your Shot in Literal and Metaphorical Dark Places" is really about combining preparation, the right gear, people skills and fast, creative thinking. Those ingredients are essential for successful war photography, but transfer to other types done by the versatile Grabowski, from model shoots to sports coverage.

Grabowski's work is well known to Tyee readers. His latest photo project for us, shot in subzero conditions, is this series on the hard-hit mill town of Houston, B.C. Grabowski's work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, Washington Post, Maclean's, and many other publications around the globe. Among his prizes is the Michener-Deacon Fellowship for investigative journalism that serves the public interest.

Grabowski's previous Tyee Master Class sold out and drew raves. This time around, yours truly (Tyee editor David Beers), will be on hand as well to discuss what makes a high impact editorial image. The class, which goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will include lunch, wine and no doubt plenty of stimulating conversation spilling into a reception to follow. (You can enrol here.)

Creativity 'unbound'

If you take photography seriously and want to get to the next level, this workshop teaches you how to make strong pictures in strange places, under difficult circumstances and often in insufficient light. From war-torn Afghanistan to the public squares of protest in eastern Europe to Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Grabowski shares his tips and techniques to capture images in sometimes dangerous situations.

He explains: "Doing photojournalism, one almost never works in controlled environments. Decisions need to be made instantaneously and improvisation is key. As it turns out, this kind of experience can benefit you when shooting any other kind of photography. It helps to unbound a photographer's creativity, for sure.

"What I mean by challenging environment is rather broad. One can shoot in semi-darkness, one can be shot at with live ammo, or one can be in circumstances when it is difficult to tell what is the truth, what is the real story that is supposed to be told with pictures. In all these situations, creativity, an open mind, common sense and empathy are very useful, as is knowing limitations of the technology one uses.

During his May 10 class, Grabowski will show pictures and video clips, and tell behind the scenes stories from tough assignments. He says, "I'll also relate stories given me by some of the best photographers working today." Attendees will learn technical skills including: How to select and use the right equipment. How to get most from a small on-camera flash. How to turn RAW digital files into crisp, documentary style, black and white prints.

A lot of the discussion, too, will be about navigating complex human interactions. For example, Grabowski points out that getting his photo at the top of this story, which was shot in a small village in the jungles of Cambodia, meant answering: "How do you find a place that is not on the map? How do you communicate despite a language barrier? How do you interact with people who have no use or need for their pictures to be taken but whose help you need to survive the next 48 hours?"

By way of previewing what's in store for you if you enrol, we asked Chris to share and comment on a few more of his photographs relevant to the class:

Limited seats, intimate setting

Space is limited for "Photography in Challenging Environments," to be held in The Tyee's Vancouver newsroom. The best way to be assured of a place is to enrol today. You can do that, and find out more about this Tyee Master Class, by clicking here.

See you on Saturday, May 10 -- and don't forget to bring your camera!

(To find out about other Tyee Master Classes being offered this spring, click here.)