OVERVIEW|| DATES & COSTS || ITINERARY || LEADERS || APPLY || TESTIMONIALS

About the Locations:
Covering an area the size of the state of Montana, the Amdo region of the Tibetan Plateau has everything a photographer could dream of: Beautiful, high altitude grasslands filled with grazing yaks, alpine forests and rivers, ancient Buddhist monasteries, rugged mountains and one of the world’s most fascinating cultures. Tibet is one of the few remaining places on earth that is relatively untouched by the modern world. Many nomads still live in yak wool tents like they did 1000 years ago. Amazing, once-in-a-lifetime photography opportunities will surround you each day as we explore the monastery towns of Rebkong, Labrang and Lhamo.

This 9 day workshop will take you 350 miles overland through the heart of Amdo, one of Tibet’s three traditional provinces. The culture in Amdo is some of the best preserved in all of Tibet. We will be exploring ancient monasteries, walking ancient religious circuits, photographing lush landscapes and spending plenty of time with local Tibetan communities.

Most of the teaching in this workshop will be done on the field in an organic fashion. We will have reviews and teachings most evenings to cover events from that day and to prepare for the next. You will also have opportunities to break away from the group and to wander around each destination to find your own adventures! The group size is limited to only 10. With 2 workshop instructors, there will be plenty of time for one-on-one instruction to really take your photography to the next level. We’ve built this workshop around flexibility, community, discussion, freedom and your ability to learn what you want from the instructors while also having the opportunity to photograph what you want.

About the Workshop:
Participants will spend ample time each day in class with lectures, presentations, critiques of daily work, and discussion with Stanley and Brian.  However, majority of the will be in the context of shooting and experiencing life in Tibet and photographing their unique culture, religion, and custom.  Our aim is to help participants engage new cultures photographically, respectfully, and effectively as photographers.  Workshop participants will walk away with a better understanding of how to engage a culture and effectively tell those stories through their photography all while having the chance of a lifetime to engage the very unique culture of eastern Tibet.

Workshop participants will work towards creating a narrative with images to put into a package, which could be turned into a coffee table book, multimedia package or combined with text for a photo story package. Workshop participants will work throughout the workshop at capturing images that tell a story. Critiquing sessions will be to help the participant grow and see the holes in their story they can work to fill.

Stanley & Brian’s goal is to have each participant create a package that they will present to an audience that helps them to understand the people of Tibet, their customs and culture.

Participants will gain unique insights into the culture of eastern Tibet through the expertise of Brian Hirschy and Jamin York at Plateau Photo Tours.

Stanley and Brian will help guide participants photographically, culturally, and relationally with the aim of creating a photo essay based around a particular visual theme of their choosing. The theme can be as broad as “My Experience of Tibet” or as defined as the individual participants chooses. Stanley and Brian will constantly be available to help participants work on every part of their photography, from top to bottom, as well as help participants in their choice of visual storytelling theme.

Participants will focus on how to use respectfully and effectively use documentary photography as a tool for visual storytelling and illuminating the intimate moments of everyday reality. Participants are encouraged to photograph both the ordinary and extraordinary scenes of daily life and to not shy away from the challenge of photographing people. With Stanley, Brian, and Jamin’s guidance and support, participants will learn to overcome any hesitations and timidity that is limiting their work — both culturally and photographically. Participants will learn how to do this with a cultural sensitivity and respect for each situation.

Stanley and Brian will help participants learn to see color, light, composition and body language of the subject all while effectively engaging the culture. You will learn how the most important thing in a photograph tends to be the smallest and the most significant.

Come join us for 9 amazing days on the Tibetan Plateau! Space is limited to just 10 participants. For more information, feel free to contact us at brian@plateauphototours.com.