Korean construction worker climbs scaffolding and works with tools in Mangwon-dong, Seoul

GROUP WORKSHOP · 5-day · SEOUL

5-Day Group Workshop

Our 5-Day Workshop is an in-depth exploration of all Seoul has to offer an engaged and enthusiastic photographer, from the rich visuals of historic neighborhoods like Buam and Mullae, to the city’s strikingly modern hotspots of Yeouido and Dongdaemun Design Plaza. We’ll use the bustling streets below Seongsu’s railway-defined skyline to develop a powerful sense of photographic scale, and the light-swiped tunnel of Mangwon Market to master photography in close quarters.

During our 5 full days of photo walks you can also expect a visit to a number of Seoul’s photographic institutions, from museums and galleries to photography cafes and bookstores, for a deeper understanding of Korean photo culture and a wealth of photo inspiration.

Led through the twists and turns of this Asian megacity by Jitse—who shares his in-depth knowledge of Seoul’s history and culture—participants are guided alongside Chris, who offers insight and practical advice drawn from over a decade of personal and editorial photography in this uniquely dynamic part of the world.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • Price $2,400 p.p.
  • Duration 5 full days
  • Group size 4-8

AVAILABLE DATES

  • 20% off
  • New!
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A Korean man in a pink leopard-print hat stands at the entrance to an alley as two women stand behind him
A Korean woman wearing a chef's uniform makes jeon behind a restaurant's glass window

Before the Workshop

01

Group Zoom Consultation

Jitse offers a 1-hour group Zoom consultation to go over the logistics and practicalities of your time in Seoul, respond to any questions, and provide an opportunity for everyone to meet each other.

02

One-on-One Zoom Consultation

Chris offers a 30-minute one-on-one Zoom consultation with every participant. This session is an opportunity to discuss your current relationship with photography, any challenges you’re facing, and the specifics of your creative aspirations. These conversations shape how Chris supports you throughout the workshop—meeting you where you are and helping you take the next step forward.

Day by Day

DAY 1

Focus - Integrity, Intention and Intuition

Learn how to photograph in public with confidence by knowing the intention behind your work, and by developing an intuition for when to photograph strangers.

Close-up portrait of an elderly Korean man wearing orange-tinted glasses
Silhouette of a Korean woman looking up while framed by a red wall in MMCA in Seoul

DAY 2

Focus - The City as Character

Learn how to adjust your photography to the merits of the location you’re in by recognizing the features that make it special. Learn how to capitalize on visual elements like scale, depth and unique lighting conditions to reveal the nature of the city.

Inverted reflection of a woman walking as city buildings rise behind her
Cityscape of Seoul from Dongdaemun including the City Wall, residential neighborhoods and Bukhansan Mountain

DAY 3

Focus - Using the Whole Frame

Learn how to elevate the substance of a photograph in some of Seoul’s oldest and visually richest neighborhoods by arranging a frame so that every part becomes a vital component of the final image.

A middle-aged woman passes by a couple having an argument in front of a building with luxury goods advertisements on the wall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul

DAY 4

Focus - Photography with an Editorial Mindset

Learn the art of editorial photography in one of Seoul’s most bustling commerce districts, developing your practice beyond the single image by setting the scene, finding a character and noticing the details that make a place special.

A man walks through a patch of sunlight alongside Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul
A couple holding hands runs up a stairwell at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.

DAY 5

Focus - From Close Up to Cityscape

Learn about the incredible power of expression and gesture in photography as we visit a charming stream-side residential neighbourhood blending traditional and modern life, ending the day with a dazzling view of the far reaches of Seoul city.

Light reflects off the hood of a car and onto a wall making a busy pattern

studio visit

Polite Company Press

Our 5-Day Workshop will include two visits to Polite Company Press, the studio and indie-publisher run by Chris and his wife Kelly, where all participants will receive prints of their work and have the chance to engage in open, encouraging discussion about our work, and to develop our visual language together over a cold beer or a hot chocolate.

Chris da Canha and Jitse Jager discuss photography with a group of people at Polite Company Press Studio in Mangwon-dong, Seoul

After the Workshop

Editing Feedback

Participants are encouraged to send through a selection of up to 3 edited images within a month of the workshop's conclusion for suggestions and tips on how to refine and elevate their editing process.

Screenshot of Lightroom editing process of a portrait photograph showing a lady dressed in red

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 5 full days together with both Chris and Jitse
  • Daily photowalks in diverse locations
  • Daily morning coffee and chat about the goals for the day
  • Multiple visits to the Polite Company Press Studio for a photo review and feedback session
  • A printed selection of the images you’ve captured during the workshop
  • A Risograph printed booklet with information about the workshop that folds out into a map of Seoul
  • Public transportation between locations
  • A welcome dinner on the first night of the workshop
  • A farewell dinner on the last night of the workshop
  • Daily lunch and refreshments
  • Entrance fees to cultural institutions such as galleries and museums
  • Group Zoom consultation and orientation with Jitse prior to the start of the workshop
  • Individual Zoom consultations with Chris prior to the start of the workshop to discuss participants’ relationship and goals with photography
  • Photo editing feedback after the workshop

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Accommodation
  • Visa Assistance
  • Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
  • Camera Equipment
  • Private Transportation
  • Personal Expenses (e.g. non-included meals, souvenirs)
Traffic flows at dusk alongside the Han River as tall buildings are silhouetted in the background

Frequently Asked Questions

What camera do I need?

DSLR or Mirrorless. We do not recommend a point and shoot as a primary camera. Film cameras are not permitted as a primary camera - nothing personal, there just isn’t enough time to get the film processed for feedback sessions. Feel free to carry one in addition to a primary digital camera.

Is this for beginners?

We welcome photographers of all experience levels. If this is your first time traveling with a camera there is no better way to start your practice of photography. If you’re a seasoned shooter we’ll make sure to take you to the best locations Seoul has to offer so you can let your skills shine.

How big are the groups?

Capped at 8. Usually 4–6 in practice.

What if I need to cancel?

If you cancel more than 90 days before the start date of the workshop, your deposit will be refunded in full.

If you cancel between 90 and 60 days before the start date, your deposit will be forfeited. Any balance already paid will be refunded.

If you cancel less than 60 days before the start date, the full amount paid is non-refundable.

See full FAQ

Why We Do This

By sharing Seoul’s history and culture alongside the development of your photographic intuition and technical skill, Chris, Jitse, and Seoul Photography Workshops aim to create a truly unique access point and unforgettable experience in this amazing city.

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