India photography workshop
November 21 – 29, 2026
Photograph Kolkata and Varanasi with Laurin Strele and Shivam Pandey. Nine days of fieldwork, individual mentoring and daily image reviews.
Photograph by Laurin Strele
Photograph by Shivam Pandey
Photograph by Shivam Pandey
More information
Route and places
Kolkata and Varanasi, 21–29 November 2026. This outline describes the places and photographic work; the day-by-day order and travel arrangements will be confirmed with the group.
Kolkata
Kolkata is the starting point for work on street life, people and the relationship between public and private space. Its markets, neighbourhood streets and working environments offer different rhythms and layers within the frame. With Laurin and Shivam, you will develop an individual assignment, practise approaching people and return to a subject when the photographs need more time.
Varanasi
In Varanasi, the Ganges riverfront and the narrow lanes behind it bring everyday life and religious practice into close proximity. The emphasis is on patient observation and a considered documentary approach, rather than a list of landmarks. We discuss permission, personal boundaries and when it is more appropriate not to photograph.
Photographic work
How we work
Field sessions are combined with individual mentoring and group reviews. The balance between photographing, returning to a subject and editing follows the work and local conditions; this is not a fixed sightseeing timetable.
Image reviews
Daily image reviews connect the fieldwork with the edit. We look at composition, timing, context and the relationship between images, identify gaps and set a direction for the next session. Individual feedback helps you develop a small, coherent sequence rather than a collection of unrelated photographs.
The workshop is built around documentary and street photography. You should be comfortable operating your camera and selecting your images; assignments and feedback can then respond to your experience. If you are unsure whether the programme fits your level or project, send an inquiry before booking.
Practical information
- Mentors
- Laurin Strele and Shivam Pandey
- Group size
- Maximum 10 participants
- Language
- English
- Included
- Hotels, all meals, guides and local transport.
What to bring
Bring a camera you know well, spare batteries and memory cards, plus a laptop with your usual editing software and a backup drive. A small selection of existing work will help the mentors understand your interests. Comfortable walking shoes and a practical, lightweight kit are useful for working on the street.
Arrival and departure
The programme begins in Kolkata and continues to Varanasi. Contact Laurin before booking non-changeable flights: the meeting point, arrival timing, departure arrangements and the transfer between the two cities need to match the final group itinerary.