Masterclassing

The first Masterclass in a series offered to photography students in the Netherlands.
Young, dynamic and ambitious young people who want to get a taste what it is like to be a professional autonomous artist photographer.
And who want to know what is the opinion of the experienced pioneering photographer of their work.

A very specific pedagogic way of giving a Masterclass has been developed and is applied.

First of all, the students are expected to visit the websites of the pioneering photographer.
To learn about his history, his projects and the different kinds of photography he has made.

The first session of the Masterclass offers the opportunity to the students to ask questions.
In order to learn more about the reality of being a professional, independent and autonomous artist photographer.

And questions the few men and many women have.
Often questions with build in assessments of what they have seen on the websites.
What they liked and didn’t like.
And of course many questions about how to organize life as an art photographer.
Most specifically concerning financial matters.

The next step of the Masterclass are individual consults.
In a room they come one by one with their portfolio full of pictures and their personal story.

This is the hardest part of the Masterclass for the pedagogue.
Because each student deserves full and unconditional attention.
This requires the highest concentration and openness possible.
To listen to each word said and focus fully on what is the possible meaning.
The deeper meaning.
To discover what person the student is and around what issues his or her life is spinning.
This is important to discover because it has everything to do with the photography the student makes.
As we all know, images made by a creative person are an expression of an inner world.
To be able to improve one’s photography, research, evaluation and evolution is needed in the inner world.
For most students this is unknown territory.
They have never thought in that way.

Therefore, before they show any picture, they are requested to sit down.
And a question is asked like: “About what do you suggest we talk?”.
The very first sentences following this question often give the key to understand what is driving the student.
Or what is blocking a free and fine expressing of oneself through photography.

In all cases, within 10 minutes major issues in their lives have been made to come to the surface and are related to their photographic activity.
With this background the pictures they brought are looked at and connected to the conclusions of the conversation.

Always this opens for the student a completely new perspective on his or her work.
The light that shines on their work comes now from a different source.
Often this is very shocking for the student.
Strong emotional responses are no exception.

A session takes about half an hour.
Longer would not be effective.
And then the student leaves.
Often in serious confusion.
Or enlightened.
But always inspired and motivated to continue the photographic work and career.
And as from then in a new and different way.

This kind of work, giving a Masterclass the Michel Szulc Krzyzanowski way, is a totally exhausting exercise.
Not so much for hearing for hours many different personal stories.
This is no problem because a very professional attitude is practised: although totally together with the student a merging of emotional energies is successfully avoided.
Most tiring is the concentration needed.
It is like driving a racing car on a racetrack for hours.
Always alert.
Always focused.
Always total concentration.

Yesterday were 8 students.
Today 12.
And they are all beautiful.




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