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The
MPW Method
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The
MPW Method
The Missouri Photo Workshop has at its core guiding principles
that make it a unique experience. These beliefs have essentially
been in place from the beginning, even as the Workshop has evolved
with changes in technology. The philosophy:
- MPW is primarily an exercise in thinking, rather
than one of technique. Photographers are required to do research
and interviews, coming to an understanding of their subject, before
they begin shooting.
- Photographers should not set up photos and
should have as little influence on the scenes they are shooting
as possible. Workshop photographers must be patient and wait for
real moments to happen.
- Related to this, photographers' success depends on forming
trusting, comfortable relationships with their subjects.
It may take several days and many hours a day for the subject
of a photo story to forget about the photographer's presence and
just get on with their life.
- With rare exceptions, photographers are asked to use
available light rather than using flash. Keeping technique
simple allows photographers to concentrate fully on the moments
happening in front of them. Natural light also creates more authentic
photos, in which the photographer's presence is less apparent.
- Strict limits are put on the number of photographs participants
can take during the week. Until the 2002 workshop, photographers
could only expose 10 rolls of film; after the switch to digital,
participants could only shoot 400 frames. Shooting constraints
are part of the workshop procedure to encourage photographers
to value each frame and to think before taking each picture.
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