The second workshop of the current course focused on portraiture, with an early morning session at the McLeodganj main square. Students Ian Bell and Christina Julius and instructors Angus and Ashwini photographed chai sellers, bread vendors, porters, students waiting for the school bus, and other characters to be found at this busy spot. The work is a mix of environmental portraiture, relating the subject to the surrounding context, and a more classical approach using depth of field and other techniques to separate the subject from distracting elements.
The students commented on the workshop:
Christina: ‘I am three days into Angus and Ashwini’s photography workshop in Dharamsala and have already learnt so much. They shared valuable composition techniques, helped me get more out of my camera and patiently explained very useful editing techniques. But above all they pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me work on photos I had always avoided before like people close-ups and I received all the help I needed to work with a lens I wasn’t comfortable with. In the evening sessions we all shared our work and we could learn from seeing the pros’ photos as well as getting honest and constructive feedback on our own shots. Shooting pictures of the people of McLeod Ganj was an enriching experience, I loved talking to everyone, eating the Tibetan bread and drinking chai with everyone.’
Ian: ‘During today’s street photography around McLeod Ganj, I learned a great deal about the process of working with strangers on the street. I found, and still find, it difficult to work with people on the street, but Angus and Ashwini had a host of useful suggestions to offer, especially focused on patience and thoroughness. Working with them for a few days during the course has left me with larger toolbox of compositional elements to play with. I look forward to the sunrise tomorrow because it means it is time to take some more photos.’
moonpeak 
I wish I could be part of this workshop. It sounds awesome. 🙂
Posted by Zara Gyemo | 9 November, 2011, 9:32 pm