Ami Vitale | Photography » workshops

Workshop in Sri Lanka August 9-18, 2013

Ami — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 04:43:04 +0000

Join renowned photojournalist Ami Vitale for an enlightening photography workshop on the island nation of Sri Lanka. She just finished a ten part TV series with National Geographic Channel that is currently airing in Asia. This summer she will lead a small and intimate workshop to “The Pearl of the Indian Ocean” with its abundant wildlife and ancient culture. During the trip, you will have the opportunity to photograph and get daily critiques from Ami as she guides you to take your passion for photography and make a difference in your life’s work. The workshop will focus on how to take strong still images and turn them into compelling stories that make a difference. CLICK HERE for a full itinerary.

One of the highlights of the trip will be exclusive photographic access to theKandy/Esala Festival. At this impressive festival, Buddhist traditions are performed in costumes with extravagant decorations and elegant detailing. In addition to front-row views for the festival processions, we will have private access to the dancers and performers as they prepare for the festivities.

We will also enjoy exclusiveaccess in the Pinnewala elephant orphanage. A conservation project for orphaned and injured elephants, it is the only shelter of its kind in the entire world. We will also visit Yala National Park, undoubtedly the best place to spot leopards in Asia, if not the world. We will meet locals, visit the centuries old Dutch Galle Fort and photograph the iconic stilt fisherman that Steve McCurry made famous.

If you are a photographer interested in how to create memorable photographic stories and multimedia presentations, make sure you attend Ami’s powerful and timely workshop. The location and knowledge gained will make this a once in a lifetime experience.

National Geographic Workshop in Santa Fe, February 17-23, 2013

Ami — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 22:52:17 +0000

I’m looking forward to teaching a multimedia workshop at the Santa Fe workshops from February 17-23, 2013. This week long workshop will be intense and challenging but ultimately very rewarding. I will be exploring how to make the jump from stills to video and will focus on helping the students tell more compelling visual stories using video, audio and still imagery. I will also delve into the process of getting work published from first crafting the initial proposal, finding a storyline, gaining access to subjects and finally editing the work into a cohesive story. Participants will be expected to document a short story and edit it together during the week. I will also talk about the business itself and address issues like writing proposals, understanding copyright, contracts and model releases. This is a workshop about producing real reportage, getting honest feedback, and ultimately how to get work published.

Workshop in Montana!

Ami — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 18:49:32 +0000

I am excited to announce a very small, intimate workshop I am doing in the pristine Centennial Valley of Southwest Montana, September 16-22, 2012. This enlightening week will guide you to take your passion for photography and make a difference in your life’s work. The week long workshop will focus on how to take strong still images and turn them into compelling stories that make a difference. With only 4-5 participants, this intimate environment will leave you with the tools to develop and sustain a long term project, generate ideas for funding, and discuss possible outlets for your images. You’ll ride the stunning Montana range, learn about the managing landscapes holistically for the triple bottom line ($, ecology/wildlife, and community) and capture the truly wild spirit of the west with working cowboys and ranch life to native wildlife and untouched environments. Classroom hours provide you the time to hear lectures, ask questions and learn not just how to create beautiful images but how to edit them into a cohesive, artful story. She will discuss how to find new opportunity with grant writing, working with NGO’s, creating multimedia slideshows, and producing gallery exhibits. Rest easy in the evenings, enjoy ranch gourmet cuisine, a soak in the hot tub, and comfy deluxe lodging. Native wildlife includes pronghorn antelope, raptors, trumpeter swans, elk, grizzly bears, coyotes, fox, and wolves. There’s a good chance you’ll see many if not all of these animals!

Dates and Pricing:
Arrive Sunday September 16th, departing Saturday September 22nd traveling through Idaho Falls.
Cost: $2900/person based on double occupancy, $500 single supplement. Prices do not include transportation, alcohol or gratuity. Learn more about us at www.jbarl.com or by calling us at (406) 596-0600.

National Geographic Workshop in Santa Fe

Ami — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 21:13:49 +0000

Santa Fe Workshop: From Stills to Video

Ami — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:25:57 +0000

The medium I work in is changing and video is now playing a much bigger role in what we do. Cameras like the one I carry can shoot hd video and it can enhance our abilities as storytellers. This is already playing a big role in my future but I don’t think I would have had the courage to take the leap into shooting video without one small lie, to Nikon, when they called and asked if I knew anything about making videos. “Yes of course”, I replied instantly, knowing nothing about moving images or how to even operate the camera. I assumed I’d have time to learn before the shoot but was surprised when they sent the camera only the night before my trip to India began. I frantically studied the manual on the 28 hour long journey and arrived terrified and wondering if I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. Here is the film I made there, an homage to India.

If I had not had the opportunity, I am sure I never would have made the leap but I’m so grateful I did. In a time when media is struggling and searching for a new path, I’m finding that I am busier than ever telling meaningful stories in new ways. Its an exciting time to be a photographer and journalist. I am teaching a week long workshop for the Santa Fe Workshops from February 27 until March 5. I will show my students all the mistakes I made and at the same time, how learning this skill will create more opportunity.

Where can I find interviews about your career?

Ami — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:21:31 +0000

This is a blog for Nikon Professional Services where I talk about my style and equipment used on assignment.

http://nps.nikonimaging.com/members/ami_vitale/

The talented Steve Casimiro, a photographer and editor for National Geographic’s Adventure magazine has created a wonderful blog called the Adventure Life. I was honored that he invited me for this interview.

http://www.theadventurelife.org/2009/07/ami-vitales-beautiful-cultures-and-powerful-documentary/

Field Notes from a National Geographic story I did on the Rickshaw Pullers of Kolkata, India.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/04/kolkata-rickshaws/vitale-field-notes

This is an advertisement I did for Nikon using the D300s camera and video capabilities.
http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/microsite/d300s/special/en/index.html#

Here is an interview I did about convergence of stills and video for the Poynter Institute. http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=172745

This is an interview by Susan Markisz for the Digital Journalist, a virtual online almanac for visual journalists created by Dirck Halstead. It was written when I was just beginning my career as a photojournalist in 2003.
http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0301/av_intro.html

Interview conducted by Barry Baum for Nikon on the new D300s that I tested out.
http://www.nikonusa.com/Learn-And-Explore/Nikon-World/fx50m3ni/1/Rest-of-the-Story.html

Blueeyes Magazine is an online documentary photography magazine devoted to publishing new long-term project work. It is a labor of love created by a dedicated group of people including John Loomis, Chris Vivion, Matthew Ratajczak, Seth Bro and Jill Thomas.
http://blueeyesmagazine.com/index.php?/essay/indiv/portfolio_vitale/

This was one of the very first interviews I gave for Photobetty.com, which was a true labor of love started by the legendary and lovely Stephanie Sinclair and carried on by Serena Stucke, who is also an incredibly dedicated and talented photographer and editor.
http://www.photobetty.com/amivitale

This is a comprehensive gallery of many fine art gallery photographers exhibited together along with photojournalists.
http://www.pixiport.com/Gallery-GC66.htm

James Robinson is a passionate photographer and has some wonderful interviews here.
http://jrphoto.wordpress.com/spotlight-interview-photojournalist-ami-vitale/

Eight Ways to change the World, A photography exhibition on the Millennium Development Goals by Panos Pictures, in association with seven charities.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/millenniumgoals/graphic/0,,1563959,00.html

Lumen Dei Workshop in Ladakh, India

Ami — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:30:45 +0000

Just back from Ladakh, India where I had the privilege of working with David Duchemin, Matt Brandon and 8 extremely talented photographers. We explored the bustling back streets of Old Delhi, the Sufi shrine of Nizamuddin and then headed up to the Khardungla Pass to cross the worlds highest motorable road at 18,380 feet. The road is situated on an ancient trade route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia, and it is also the gateway to the beautiful Nubra Valley. Some of the guys did it on motorcycles which looked spectacular but I’m a wimp after living in India for so many years. After witnessing the insanity that ensues on their roads, I’d prefer to make the journey on a camel. Yet, they were intrepid travelers and it was a delight to be able to work with such a spirited group. I can honestly say that we all learned from each other and I believe everyone became better photographers on this journey. I’ll be posting photos soon but I’m on my way to Prague.