I just returned from Mikkel Vang's
workshop in Gothenburg, Sweden produced by Ritchie Ace Camps. I can't remember how I came across Mikkel's work but I remember I was still in corporate life, and finding his website opened my eyes to the whole word of this beautiful editorial food/lifestyle photography. When you're working in a cubicle 9-5 and making slides and writing reports, you really have no idea that there's this world out there, and that there are jobs like prop stylists and food stylists and so on. I was fascinated and completely inspired from that moment. Over the last few years, whenever I needed a boost of inspiration, I pulled up
Mikkel's site. When I saw he was teaching a workshop, I thought about for a full two seconds before I got right on board.
Mikkel is incredibly charming, candid, and just all around brilliant. I am looking forward to getting back to my shoots and really trying to step it up. No excuses, as he would say.
I have a lot more thoughts but for now, I wanted to share the "portrait of Gothenburg" I created during our time there. We were sent on assignment to create a travel story of Gothenburg in our eyes, and then to present five spreads to the other workshop attendees. It was absolutely amazing to see how different everyone's perspective was and how everyone's style manifested in their shots. Editing down is challenging and there were a few photos that I liked but just didn't fit with my story, so I had to scrap them. Here are the five I presented:
I can see how difficult it is to be a travel photographer. Nothing's ever perfect. There's always some darn construction sign in the way of a beautiful street, or the light is too harsh or ugly, or it's raining, or you miss the split second when a group of people are in the perfect candid moment, or... the list goes on. You just have to make it work (and try not to get a viral infection like I did in the process :[).
More to come. And some scenes from Stockholm as well!