Magnum Blog / Sharing bad weather and good photography

I started out in photography with very little formal schooling. In many ways, my education in this business was a one-year internship I did at the Magnum office in London, in 1996-97. I was nineteen at the time, but many responsibilities rested on my young shoulders. I made coffee for thirsty staff members, filed away returns (this was in the pre-digital age), answered phone calls, made tea for staff members, filed away more pictures, and ran to the post office.

Mundane as it sounds, this year turned out to be one of the most valuable experiences I ever had. By being around the offices, I got to spend a lot of time around Magnum photographers coming and going. Seeing them at work, talking to them about photography, showing them my own early stabs at taking pictures, gave me a crash-course in both the great ideals and hard realities of the working photographer. Looking back, I always think that simply being around the office, absorbing the tremendous creative energy of this prolific group of photographers and personalities taught me more than I’d ever learn if I went and got a bachelors degree in photography.

This is part of the reason why I got involved in Magnum Education. I talk to so many young photographers who feel frustrated by traditional photographic education. Students often feel they lack of realistic perspective on the fast-changing industry of photography, or miss exposure to hard-working photographers who realize their own personal projects. I meet many young photographers who are getting assignments and are working hard, but have difficulties formulating their visions for their own, more personal work. Thinking back on my own start, I frequently think a dose or two of the exchange of ideas I got as an intern at Magnum would help many photographers looking for the next step.

That’s what I hope our first Magnum Education event in Oslo March 4th-8th can offer photographers looking for a push. This will be more than just a normal workshop. Since we’ll have 10 Magnum photographers around that week, sharing views and work, I hope students will be part of an unusually intense dialogue about our craft. It will surely be a lot of fun as well, and I hope we manage to make a good informal atmosphere that everyone feels inspired by.

Some people have come to me worrying about the weather up here in sub-arctic Oslo that time of year. March usually brings long-lasting light after the dark winter, and heralds spring. There are, though of course no guarantees of a blizzard-free event, that is the nature of life up north. But fear not! One of the best rules-of-thumb I ever learned as a photographer is - The worse the weather, the better the picture.

PS: If you have any questions regarding the workshop don’t hesitate to ask them here. I’ll be frequently checking comments over the next week and will reply as soon as possible. We have had a lot of applicants to the workshops thus far, and it looks like we will fill every slot in the first round of reviewing applicants – deadline January 30th. So those who want to come join us should get their applications in before all the places have gone!

Reader comments (21)

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“The worse the weather, the better the picture.”

I agree. It does however produce some requirements for equipment. You either need an expensive weatherproof camera or an inexpensive toy camera. The latter in my case:
http://www.deviantart.com/print/416127/

Comment posted by Miku on January 21, 2008

hello jonas,
its a very nice item, the weather, maybe you're suprised but your picture (number 10), three women waiting and talking i find the best, are they waiting for the bus?, and where is that very bright frontlight coming from?
good luck with your workshop in oslo, i think norway will give you photographers a lot of inspiration,
greetings ellen

Comment posted by ellen imhof on January 21, 2008

Thanks for the good post Jonas. About the weather, it makes me think about all the times someone has said to me 'such a beautiful day, must be great for photos!'. As I'm sulking and praying for a change in weather, at least clouds or twilight that can't come fast enough.

Comment posted by Bill Crandall on January 21, 2008

Thanks for the blog Jonas... your blog has answered a lot of questions I have wanted to ask since first getting to know your work; I have had a similar entry in photography, though on a smaller (and more politicised) scale.

I wonder, is there a way I could email you with further questions, as I certainly fall into the "difficulties formulating their visions for their own, more personal work" category. While I have applied for the workshop, I feel my chances of making it may well be slim, though there are certain things I realise I could still gain from an "exchange of ideas"... in the case of photographers like yourself, Chris Anderson, Alex Majoli and (Simon Wheatley in particular.)

Hope to get email you... in any case, thanks again for the blog.

Comment posted by Liam Lynch on January 21, 2008

Well, I guess that we can say that here in the UK the weather is not *bad enough*. Damn. Day after day of the same bleak white sky and slight patches of rain. Really nice edit of pictures, by the way. I love the vignetting / light of the last one. Maybe I only miss a Parr between those?

Comment posted by Joni Karanka on January 21, 2008

I remember having read somewhere an interview with Harry Gruyaert where he would encourage taking pictures in bad weather... he said something like "do get out when it's pouring... there is nothing more annoying than a blue sky..."

Comment posted by Federico on January 21, 2008

I totally agree with your oppinion on listening to other experienced photographers.
I was wondering what the minimum age limit for the Workshop is?

Comment posted by Mads on January 22, 2008

Weather is allways a good item for photography. I like to take pictures of the weather.

Comment posted by Andreas on January 22, 2008

Jonas Bendiksen thank you many many very good picture in bad weather.sir it is my plazear to see your work. Trent Parke sir r u remember me when u coming bangladesh for ur photo exizibition in chobi mela. I am the student of shaidul alam pathshala. if u remember please mail me.

Comment posted by Syed mahfuz ali on January 23, 2008

Hello all, thanks for all your comments. Sorry to hear from Joni about conditions in Englad - yes, in my experience the only country in the planet with an absence of weather - a continuous drizzle, sort of all normal weather types averaged into one... but I must have missed something - Martin Parr found lots of nasty sleet and snow in his black and white book "Bad Weather". Have a look, you'll be encouraged!

And to answer Mads' question on the workshop - no there is no formal age limit. We'll go through the portfolios submitted and try to get a good mix of people. However, I don't think this is a workshop for new beginners - I think it will give the most to people who already are involved with photography, and want to take it to a new level. But that is of course something that doesn't depend on age.

All the best,

Jonas

Comment posted by Jonas Bendiksen on January 23, 2008

This series of images reminds me why I always come back to Magnum, the feeling “yes, that is what good photography looks like” Bendiksen is one of my favourites - he seems to have a magic touch.

When it comes to education I think a workshops can inspire and certainly develop (☺) individual photographers but still a Magnum workshop is possible for very few. I wish there would be a discussion about photographic education in general.

Comment posted by Jenny Maria on January 23, 2008

Thanks for the reply Jonas,
I would really love to come but im afraid i cant afford it. eventhough im quite young I have learned much in a few years, always been a huge fan of you and Paolo's work, and it would be so great to meet you in person and improve my photografic skills (and to learn more about photojournalism).

Comment posted by Mads on January 25, 2008

hey!!!
i just received an email saying I was selected for the Paolo Pellegrin workshop!!!
i am extremely happy although I will have to make miracles to get the money for the payment.... Anyway, I think it would be worth isn´t it Jonas??? Some of the best MAGNUM photographers will be there and I am sure it is going to be ones of the best learning experiences of my entire life...
See you there I hope!!!

Comment posted by joaldun! on January 30, 2008

Do you have any similiar events to take place in Paris in a forseeable future? I would love to get a taste of some magnum photography during my "official" stay here as a cinemastudent.

Comment posted by Johannes on January 30, 2008

Hey

I was woundering if this workshop is held anually or is this a one time thing in Oslo? Is it held in other locations like Belgium or the netherlands. Because it sounds really interesting but i haven't got the time or the money to travel to Oslo.

Kind Regards
Ludo

Comment posted by Ludo on January 31, 2008

Hello there -

To answer some of the last questions - Loaldun - yes I think this will be worth it. I think it will be a week of really good energy, and everyone will come out of it with good food-for-thought and inspiration (I think this applies just as much to the tutors too, not just the students). So yes, endorse you going to the local loan-shark and borrowing some funds for this! Just make sure he's a nice one...

Ludo and Johannes—like we said in the initial announcement, this is an inaugural event, and we have every intention of taking the show on the road. The idea is, that we spread it around, so that people shouldn't have to travel across the world to take part in the program. Where the next location will be will be announced once things are settled. So, this is not something that will only take place here in Oslo, it will happen again in other parts of the world.

With best regards,

Jonas

Comment posted by Jonas Bendiksen on February 1, 2008

This is AWESOME! I got the email saying I'm in with Mr. Pellegrin, sold enough blood to pay the fee, and I'm ready for Oslo!

I think this is going to be an amazing experience, and I think just being in the same room with you guys is going to make me a better photographer!

Thanks for the opportunity!

Comment posted by Bill on February 3, 2008

Hi Jonas Bendiksen
I am trying to reach you and Magnum responsible from weeks ago. I would liked filming the workshop of Magnum Photographers in Oslo in HDV and offer to the TV channels. As well made a DVD as Educational multimedia for all photographers and not photographers that cant pay the workshop or don’t had the opportunity to be included in the list. I would liked hear something about my educational proposal. I am not trying to made business with this filming. More details please write me: delmialvarez@yahoo.com

Thank you and I wish the best time for all the participants in the Oslo workshop. delmi alvarez

Comment posted by delmi alvarez on February 9, 2008

The first one, the Jean Gaumy’s one, is amazing picture. It makes me feel the salty waterdrops on my face. Great picture!

Comment posted by Jan Sochor on February 28, 2008

This is a great opportunity to catch a northern icy breeze of light from Jonas and other Magnum-photographers. As much as wish to attend which I’m unable, I would appreciate an article and a blog on that workshop after it’s finished, where participants and instructors explain their personal experiences and showing a few photos. This will be of great influence for people who couldn’t join. Skål!

Comment posted by Mazen Jannoun on March 5, 2008

Amazing story about your start up Jonas, and I thik the workshop is a great opportunity to get to another step for advanced photographers, hope in the nearest future to be able to attend this kind of workshop.

Comment posted by Dorin Goian on March 11, 2008

Sharing bad weather and good photography

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