Eddie Adams Workshop worth going to?

depends on who ya ask. Ive heard both yeas and nays and in betweens too.

Ditto Eric. What do you hope to get from it, Davin?

It seems to be the workshop that everyone has been to yet is not always mentioned. Whenever I learn of some new, great, young photographer, invariably they have been to Eddie Adams. I am looking for something like the Joop Swart Masterclass which I was nominated for but didn’t get picked. Of course with 100 photographers I know that the Eddie Adams workshop is not like it, but I am looking to make contacts with editors. I’ll be going to Perpignan the month before. . .

yes!

Does it cost money now? It was free when I went in 2006.

If you’re going for contacts, then Eddie Adams may well be worth it. They get as many professionals to go as students. When I went three years ago, I found the event to be clicky and fast paced. If you have a sense of who you want to meet, and have the opportunity to continue developing those relationships at Perpignan, it could be great. Is there a list anywhere of the professionals going?

I found the clickiness and cult worship of Eddie Adams off putting. The biggest benefit the workshop had for me is as a resume item. I haven’t been in touch with many people I met, but then again I’m in NYC, so networking opportunities abound. Networking in NYC does seem strangely easier when my checklist of credentials includes being an EAW alumni.

yes, it costs $375. Wow, if it was free before then it would have be a real deal. All these photo events are a bit oddball I have found in terms of clickiness. Have you been to Perpignan?!

I don’t think I am going to go to Eddie Adams. Thanks for the head-ups.

Let me think… we had to pay for room and board. Maybe that’s what the $375 is. There was no fee for the workshop itself though, hence the robust Black Team support.

I haven’t been to Perpignan. I would love to go. I would imagine Perpignan has its clicks, too. Not sure if it has as intimate/claustrophobic a feel as EAW. It’s also a festival and not a workshop, slightly different dynamics and expectations.

i am mixed on it. i was at the last workshop that took place in october 08. i would say contacts are worth it… but its totally up to you… everyone i have met has mixed reviews on it…

“Making pictures is a very simple act. There is no great secret in photography…schools are a bunch of crap. You just need practice and application of what you’ve learned. My absolute conviction is that if you are working reasonably well the only important thing is to keep shooting…it doesn’t matter whether you are making money or not. Keep working, because as you go through the process of working things begin to happen”. – Elliott Erwitt

what about perpignan…whats the opinion there …I’ve heard so much about it in past years but not so much this year ?? I would like to attend and see some of the work …is it the cream of the crop ..the indicator of current photojournalism or is at all things celebrated in PJ ???

Erwitt is certainly onto something. This is a popular mantra in photography, that schools don’t cut it and practice is what matters. I would argue that a community to sustain that practice and provide a place for reflection on the work is a vital component of what Erwitt calls ‘the process of working.’ Events like EAW and Perpignan might offer this. I wonder how much clickiness and focus on networking can crowd in on development of a community to sustain the process… be that in occasionally vital ways since making a living is nice, too.

Perp. and EAW offer two completely different experiences and they can’t be compared and one isn’t a substitute for the other. If you are simply looking for networking, go to Perp. If you want to network, produce a small project and get feedback as you do it, then go to EAW. Perp. doesn’t seem to be about growing or the “process of working” as much as networking and congratulating ourselves and our craft. Few people go there for feedback as much as they seek applause.

The more cost effective solution would seem to be to go to EAW and then spend a week or two in NYC meeting with editors. Growth and networking all rolled into 1 trip. That would be a worthwhile trip from Europe. And at $375 (which is room and board), EAW is well worth it.

i think is really worthed!

Just move to Brooklyn….all of the photographers from everywhere are there, and so are the editors.

Ida: Exactly, a community is key and I am in need of one.

No! No! Andy! I have moved to Bucharest, Romania. I need wild adventure all the time, the second I step out of my door every morning. This is why I started the thread: I am in a far off place and I am constantly looking for worthwhile ways to get together and connect with people periodically.

Thanks Narayan. I’ll go to Perpignan and then head to EAW and then to NYC for a few rounds. What the heck, this is the last year I could do Eddie Adams anyway. I’ve noticed that you have a 1/100th chance of winning a $10,000 Nikon Award as Matt Eich did! I’ve been to Perpignan twice before. . . hopefully they’ll have the final night party this year. Yes it was raining but did they have to cancel the party?!

Uhh. Can I have your spot?

Jon,

I’ll end up going! Just was wondering what was up with the workshop as I have not really heard it mentioned too much yet every photographer under the sun seems to be an alumnus.

They just came out with the list:

http://www.eddieadamsworkshop.com/alumni/2009

In my opinion they have a good business there. They ask for money before the course(thousands of applications) and after they only teach one hundred.

I do prefer save that money for charity.

Regards,
Jose Contreras

Jose- actually, from a business aspect they would be a big failure, since they surely make very little money, if any at all. The whole thing is basically charity by all the team leaders that donate their time and sponsors that donate their money. It is, after all, tuition free.

Davin- Have fun, I’m sure you’ll walk away with some prize, even if it isn’t the big one (they give out around 15 or 20). There are some pretty talented people in there this year, notably some Military Photojournalists.

dude, go for the partying.

Narayan,

45$ application
x
10,000 applications (Just an example, I am sure it is more)
=
450,000$ just for watching 20 photographs per person and give 4 days of classes.

What a charity!, nothing else to say, just my opinion.

Dude, Jose, in an industry of “pay to play”, a 45usd application fee is nothing. If it’s your opinion that the money just goes into someone’s pockets, you might reconsider that idea before you insult some people that give a lot of time and resources to the workshop.

Narayan,

I have my idea very reconsidered. You are misunderstanding my words, I do not insult anybody, read it carefully and do not invent your own film of it.

I do agree with you that 45$ fee is nothing, but:

450,000$ (Just an example, I am sure it is more) is something, isn’t it?

Plus accomodation 375$ is not bad for a bed but a bit expensive given that it will be in a 420 population town.

Again, this is MY OPINION. If you do not like it respect and you will be respected.

Who gave you permission to call me dude?

I will not talk more about this, I have said what I wanted to say.

Kind regards,

Jose Contreras

I don’t think they get 10,000 applications more like 1000-1500 I think. . . maybe it’s increased a bit recently because of the digital revolution and everyone wanting to be a photographer?! I don’t know for sure. I started the post just because, as I said, I will be coming from Europe and so I have a bit of airfare from Romania to factor in and was trying to weigh the benefits of the workshop given my costs.

They get around 1500 applications a year. I went last year and it was an incredible experience. The $375 is a small price to pay for everything ….a hotel room, food, swag (shirts, hats, camera bags, memory cards…..), equipment (cameras, lenses, lighting), and a chance to get to know some amazing photographers. At the end of the workshop you walk away with a really tight group of people that you can really depend on. And if you really take advantage of all the workshop has to offer you may walk away with some freelance work…I did! And since you’re coming from Europe….extend your stay and head into NYC for some meetings with editors. Make your trip worthwhile.

And I second what Mustafah said…..the partying is pretty awesome.

Congrats on all who were selected.

Many thanks for that input Sandy.

The opportunity to show work at the evening portfolio showings is reason enough to go, the opportunity to hear all of the photographers invited to present work is another reason, and the opportunity to work in teams with editors and photographers from places like Nat Geo and Newsweek, NY Times or API. Look if you don’t want to attend fine there are many on the waiting list hoping you don’t go. The wkshop is free, the fee is for the motel.
I went and I am hoping against all odds to make the black team.
Good luck to you and to all of us.

What are the criterias for attending this workshop? I thought you had to be a student, or under 25 years old or something?

Andrea Star Reese: The only reason I started this post is because I am in Romania and will have a roundtrip flight to add to $375 as well and just wanted to hear some thoughts from photographers who had already attended the workshop. Andrea Gjestvang: You either have to be a student or have worked as a professional for no more than 3 years.

No offense intended David. Just wanted to communicate how valuable the experience is. If the expense is too much I suggest you e mail Marjam and ask if your motel fee can be waived.I don’t know if that is possible but why not ask. For me it was an experience of a lifetime and essential to my development as an emerging photojournalist. Good luck I sincerely wish you the best

I just checked your profile and you seem to be pretty well connected already. Nevertheless the EA workshop does offer a nice network.
you will do well there I am sure.

Andrea: well connected?! Not quite so sure about that. . . I will indeed be making my way to upstate New York.

you are doing better than I was before I went. Your work sounds very interesting

Well, Andrea, that may be because I have photographed for many years but have only been working ‘professionally’, i.e. working through an agency and getting regular assignments, since 2007. Previously, I just shot lots of film on my own.

I can’t answer as to the real worth of the workshop yet, but I will be traveling from Vietnam to attend. Hope to see you there as well.

See you there Aaron!