Kolkata, India - Street Photography Workshop
DATES
Oct 24-29 2025
Size
5 Participants
Cost
$1250*
Level
All Welcome
Fully Booked - Email for waiting list
Overview
An intensive 5 full days of shooting candid street photography in Kolkata, India. Take your street photography to the next level as you learn and practice rhythmic layering, reading light and anticipating moments while becoming one with the scene. Learn how to select, edit and read your images to demanding level of detail that will have immediate and lasting impact on your work.
Workshop Perks
-Individual Portfolio or Project Review
An extremely in-depth and thorough review of your existing portfolio or project
-Daily Photo Reviews
Working directly with Jonathan to learn how to identify your strongest photos and as well as how to dramatically improve shots you've taken using very minor corrections
-Customized Lessons
Prior to the workshop, Jonathan will ask for input from each participant on topics of interest and areas they wish to improve upon. This information is used to develop custom material for group discussions and short presentations.
-1 on 1 shooting time on the streets with Jonathan Jasberg
On most days Jonathan will pair up with someone for a full 3 hour session in the morning and a different person in the afternoon. He will work with them individually to improve all aspects of their photography.
-Detailed Arrival Guide
Arriving in a new country / city can be intimidating. Jonathan will provide you with a customized arrival guide that includes photos, directions, and details of arriving at the airport and getting a taxi to the hotel, obtaining a sim card, etc., to make sure your arrival is a smooth as possible.
-Friendly non-competitive group environment where we all learn from each other
Group dynamic is very important to Jonathan, thus the group size is kept small and personal. This workshop is intense, but it is a great time and a great chance to make quality friendships and connections with fellow photographers. See behind the scenes and participant photos of the 2023 workshop and 2024 workshop recap pages.
Schedule
Friday Oct 24 - Welcome Dinner
Participants should arrive in Kathmandu on or before Oct 24th. We will have a casual group welcome dinner on the night of the 24th to get to know each other, chat about photography and the plan for the upcoming days.
*Cost of welcome dinner is paid individually and not included in tuition.
Sat, Oct 25th - Wed Oct 29th
Sample day
- Group Breakfast
- 3 hour morning shooting session
- Lunch Break
- Photography Discussion / Portfolio Reviews during coffee / tea break
- 3 hour afternoon shooting session
- Dinner Break
- 2 hour nightly photo reviews and critiques
These are very full days with a mix of intensive shooting sessions, group discussions and lessons. Jonathan works closely with everyone throughout the day, mixing in 1-1 shooting together with participants and is always available for questions. It will be fun, challenging and rewarding.
Accommodations
Participants are encouraged to all stay in the same hotel, which is clean, comfortable, affordable, and most importantly, very strategically located. Accommodations will be discussed in detail once the group is formed. If you wish to stay at an airbnb or different hotel, please make sure it is within 5 minutes walking distance to our hotel.
Requirements
- Digital Camera with a wide angle lens (preferably prime 28mm or 35mm) and knowledge of how to use it. Unless you are shooting with a Leica camera, Jonathan may not know how to make necessary adjustments.
- Enough batteries and SD card space for 1,000+ photos daily
- Fast laptop with Lightroom or other photo management / editing software that will allow you to quickly review, flag, and rate photos daily
- Walking shoes, a hat and clothes you don't mind getting destroyed. These are intensive days where 20,000+ steps is not unusual.
- Positive attitude with great respect for Indian culture and the people of Kolkata.
Cost
Workshop tuition is $1,250*. Taxis, Meals, drinks, and any other incurred costs are not included and to be paid individually. All of these costs should be very low as food, transportation are all very affordable in Kathmandu.
*All workshop participants receive $100 discount on any future workshops they attend with Jonathan (co-sponsored workshops with other instructors excluded).
Application
Contact Jonathan directly to apply for the workshop. If a spot is available, a $100 deposit is required to secure your participation. The remaining $1,150 is due 30 days prior to the start of the workshop (Sep. 24 2025). No refunds are given after Sep. 24 2025 if you have to cancel, or are unable to attend or complete the workshop for any reason. Past participants of Jonathan's workshops receive a $100 discount on this tuition.
Cancellation
If you need to cancel prior to Sep. 24 2025, you will be able to apply your deposit to a future workshop. If you need to cancel after that date, no refunds will be given for payments made up until that point. If Jonathan Jasberg (the instructor) needs to cancel, you will be refunded your deposit and any tuition amount paid. Jonathan is not responsible for any reimbursement of travel expenses or any other costs incurred by participants in the event that he needs to cancel the workshop. Travel insurance that covers cancellations, missed flights, etc., is recommended if you are not a seasoned traveler. There are no partial refunds in the event a participant misses days, or would like to take time off on any days during the workshop for any reason.
Fully Booked - Email for waiting list
Testimonials
Past Workshop Participants
Attending a workshop with Jonathan is an incredibly rewarding experience. His thorough research on locations translates into a well-crafted itinerary, and, with a small group it’s easy for participants to just focus on shooting. The days are intense and stimulating but well-paced and easily adaptable to take advantage of unique circumstances. The atmosphere is relaxed and Jonathan is always available to help in any way. The daily review sessions are a great way to improve and Jonathan’s comments are insightful and inspiring. Plus, it’s always fun to shoot and spend time with Jonathan.
Bill Schaefer - Kolkata Dec 2024
First of all thank you for the fantastic workshop. I enjoyed it immensely and I learned a lot as well.
I believe you provided great attention, provided valuable input, and you were very personable. You cared about the students and it showed. We executed the plan daily and you kept us all in loop when things changed. You also let all of the attendees know places and situations as photo opportunities, while we are on the field. You cared about us, and made sure we got what we wanted from the workshop.
Sehmuz Bayhan - Kyoto Apr 2023
I had a fantastic experience with Jonathan’s workshop in Nepal. It was incredibly well-organized from start to finish, with everything running smoothly and seamlessly.
It was clear how much effort Jonathan put into researching every place we visited. This added so much depth and meaning to the experience. It was also fascinating to see how much thought and time went into his creative process until he get’s to his final image.
Jonathan’s approachable nature stood out, as he was always available and open to questions or discussions. What made this workshop even more special was that everyone got a lot of individual time with him, allowing for tailored advice and insights. The valuable input he shared was practical and impactful, leaving everyone with something meaningful to take away.
This workshop was a truly unforgettable experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn, grow, and be inspired in an incredible setting like Nepal.
Susanne Grether - Kathmandu 2024
A workshop with Jonathan Jasberg is a great experience, as his teaching is always focused on improving your personal work, with precise analysis of the photos during the reviews as well as helping you in the field.
He is always ready to help, to share his experience and to give advice, and takes very good care of the organisation so that everything goes smoothly, also because he knows the places very well. He also has an incredibly wide photographic culture and a very high level of requirement of what a « good photo » should be, which is hugely inspiring. Just great!
Laurent Catach - Oaxaca Feb 2023
Thank you for a terrific workshop. I enjoyed the different locations you planned for us, the feedback, and the discussions. And all of it was done in a friendly and supportive way, so it was a productive, enjoyable time. I hope I get to do this again.
France Leclerc - Kathmandu 2024
I loved how well organized the workshop was. Your arrival guide included everything. Your workshop is really incredibly worthwhile. Thank you very much!
Florian Renz - Kyoto Apr 2023
I attended the street photography workshop in Japan with the goal of improving my photography skills and creativity. Jonathan provided me with practical and insightful guidance during one-on-one sessions, group discussions, and detailed feedback on my photos.
Jonathan's teaching style was relaxed and approachable, which helped me feel more comfortable with the complexity of street photography and created an environment that allowed every participant to push their boundaries. Overall, the workshop was a highly enjoyable experience that gave me the opportunity to progress and gain a deeper appreciation for the art of street photography.
Vica Rosario Bogaerts - Kyoto Apr 2023
This was my second workshop with Jonathan. We had a group of varying skill levels and everyone got along really well. I’ve genuinely enjoyed the company of all the other participants in both workshops. I am continually impressed not only by Jonathan’s knowledge of photography but also his knowledge of the places where he conducts his workshops. He arrives well in advance of each workshop to make sure he has the most current knowledge of the cities and surrounding areas. His attention to detail makes the workshop run smooth and the nightly image review sessions are really helpful. I’m already signed up and looking forward to another workshop.
Craig Hansen - Kathmandu 2024
I truly enjoyed that week and, honestly, I feel a bit nostalgic. I learned a great deal and, as well as a fantastic photographer, Jonathan is a great teacher.
This workshop was more than I could ask for. The atmosphere was fantastic, Jonathan carefully prepared everything so we felt comfortable and could focus on enjoying photography. Great places, great people and a great teacher. I ended up learning a lot and had a wonderful week.
Tulio Labadie - Oaxaca Feb 2024
Kyoto was my second workshop with Jonathan (after Oaxaca) and I enjoyed it very much. Jonathan was meticulous in planning the workshop and executed the planned sessions (and lunch/dinner/coffee breaks) flawlessly. He was also a delight to learn from!. He helped us understand the different places we are going to visit, in terms of opportunities and challenges. He worked with the individuals, and conducted the review sessions with clarity/focus and a lot of humor. He has deep knowledge and understanding about Japanese culture which was a bonus!
We learnt a lot about the Japanese worldview and lunch-ed/dined at fantastic places :). More importantly, Jonathan is a great person to hang out with. I would highly recommend this workshop, I enjoyed it a lot.
Sandip Aine - Kyoto Nov 2023
This workshop in Kathmandu was really great! Jonathan does a lot of preparation (including portfolio reviews), takes us to the best places, is always available for advices or for sharing his experience, and always gives us very useful feedback during the photo reviews every evening. With his own style and personality, which is gentle, he still pushes us to do better photos and to progress in many ways, especially about composition. And, of course, his own personal photographical style and work are very inspiring. Certainly a wonderful experience!
Laurent Catach - Nepal Oct 2023
Jonathan’s attention to detail is remarkable - in his photography as well as with the organization of this course. And here two things stood out for me in particular: he shared not only his experience on how to get the best shots in various situations but also explained what makes a great photo and how to recognize one. Each day of shooting was concluded with an individual review and tips for further improvement. The result was a workshop with a steep learning curve and a lot of value for anyone interested in street photography.
Andreas Schneider - Oaxaca Feb 2024
Jonathan was very hands-on during the entire workshop! He pointed specific techniques out and explained why some things work and others don't. He was indefatigable! This was a very intensive but also a laid-back workshop. We had an opportunity to bond as a group of photographers and have a critique each night. During the day we split into pairs or threes and Jonathan would pick a group to work with.
Post-workshop, Jonathan provided us with personal critiques of the portfolio submitted in advance of the workshop as well as helped to create and curate a portfolio from the workshop. He has a place on his website for final portfolios to include our IG and personal websites. I felt really invigorated and motivated to continue the techniques learned in the workshop.
Nicole Horvath - Oaxaca Feb 2023
It was an amazing revelatory workshop that made me think completely differently than I am used to take, and therefore its already a Bingo for me. I was happy with everything, you were generous with your time, and rightfully ruthless in selection of the photo process.
Hasan Sadigli - Kyoto Nov 2023
I attended Jonathan’s Kolkata workshop in December, and it was an excellent experience. The weather was ideal for full-day shooting, and the workshop was well-organized, with a balanced mix of well-known sites and lesser-explored neighborhoods. We also used public transport from time to time, which was an interesting way to experience daily life in the city.
Jonathan is a talented photographer and teacher. His feedback during the evening reviews was always constructive, and we had great conversations about photography throughout the day—sharing thoughts on other photographers, books, and practical challenges.
This was my fourth workshop with Jonathan, and as always, he brought together a group of dedicated participants, whom I now consider friends. Overall, these workshops have played a significant role in my street photography journey. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to grow in their photography.
Vica Rosario Bogaerts - Kolkata Dec 2024
Thanks so much for everything. I had a blast. Would love to return for another workshop for sure.
Dave Brewer - Oaxaca Feb 2024
I had a good gut feeling, based on what I'd read about you and your work, and the B&H interview. My instincts were right! Glad I was able to contact you early and reserve a spot.
Your patience, honesty, directness, diplomacy, flexibility, and humor were appreciated! It was interesting to see you take such an interest in our work, spending more time on certain images than I would've thought! I like how you worked with each member individually over the 5 days at the different locations, helping with our specific goals and strengthening skills. You took care of our non-photography needs as well, when needed!
Parvathi Kumar - Oaxaca Feb 2023
www.parvathikumar.com
Instagram
Jonathan's workshop in the Kyoto area is exactly what any aspiring street photographer should be looking for to improve their skills. My goals coming in were to focus on further developing my compositions using techniques such as layering, reflections, echoes, but also capturing emotions by gaining confidence in getting closer to the subject(s).
Coming out of the 5 day intensive workshop, I feel that Jonathan has helped me significantly improve on those aspects of street photography and that the learnings from the workshop helped me a gain a much better understanding and confidence on how and when to best deploy those methods.
The format and planning of the workshop are well thought in a way that maximizes the learning experience within the available time. There is a well balanced time allocations to overviews, discussions and critical reviews before, during, and after intense long days of street photo shooting. I very much enjoyed learning in a small collaborative group (3 students) of talented photographers.
Besides being an amazing street photographer and teacher, Jonathan is also fond of Japanese culture and customs which he likes to share. He speaks Japanese fluently which brought us closer in our interactions with locals anywhere we went and made our experience more authentic. Overall this workshop is an excellent learning and development opportunity at a great price value in a unique environment. I would definitely recommend it to others without any hesitation.
Mehdi Zouari - Kyoto Apr 2023
I was lucky enough to be able to register for the workshop in Oaxaca with Jonathan due to a late cancellation and I am so happy that I did. Jonathan was well prepared and sent us pre-travel information to ensure that our arrival in Oaxaca went smoothly. Also very well thought out and handy were a map and notes on different areas in town that had good photographic potential and at what time of day.
Jonathan was generous with his time, spending a portion of the day with each participant out on the streets and giving advice and suggestions, but also gave us time to explore and shoot on our own, or with others in the group. The size of the group was perfect and I felt that we all got a lot of individual attention. The places we traveled to outside of Oaxaca City were interesting and each unique. The after dinner critiques were honest and valuable, and gave me some tips to improve my photos in the next day of shooting.
It was fun spending the week with Jonathan and the other very talented photographers in the workshop. I have more than a few images of my week in Oaxaca that I am proud of and I feel as if my week with Jonathan helped me understand what skills I can improve upon to create even better images in the future.
Pamela Fricke - Oaxaca Feb 2024
Thank you for the great workshop experience. I love the intensity and immersiveness of your workshops. Great group of fellow photographers is a great bonus as well. As you know this was my 2nd workshop with you, and after attending other street photography workshops, I really appreciate the attention and support you provided for all of us through the experience. I will definitely attend your future workshops again.
Sehmuz Bayhan - Oaxaca Feb 2024
This is the second time I participated in a street photography workshop led by Jonathan. Much like the experience I had during the previous workshop, the Kathmandu workshop was exceptionally well-organized and executed. The dedication and planning Jonathan invests in scouting locations that offer great potential for street photography was obvious and made this workshop a very positive experience.
What I particularly like about this workshop is its flexibility. Participants have the opportunity to shoot independently but also to shoot with Jonathan. When working solo, our group of five maintained connection through live location sharing on our phones, which gave me a sense of security while wandering the streets of an unknown place. When shooting alongside Jonathan, he consistently helped me to broaden my photographic perspective.
One of the reasons I signed up for the workshop is that I admire Jonathan's photography. However, what truly sets him apart when it comes to leading a photography workshop is his ability to adapt to the individual pace and level of each of the participants. In addition, I was impressed that he can appreciate complex photos as much as quieter and more simple photos, which may not be his own style. The photo reviews in the evening provided me with a lot of new insights and I also really enjoyed being in company of those who love to talk about photography which on normal days feels more like a solitary hobby.
Vica Rosario Bogaerts - Nepal Oct 2023
The workshop fulfilled my expectations; the most valuable thing for me was to know closely your point of view about certain photos, and the minor (but unexpected and relevant) fixes that you did sometimes on them.
Also it was interesting to "confront" my aesthetic style with yours, a little more inclined towards the weird element, which will give me food for thought for a while. In addition, and as I already sensed in the video on complex composition, your way of explaining is technical and precise (I can tell you were a programmer, hehe), far from the more vague postures that sometimes artists have.
In general, I have noticed something very good and that is that you have infected me a little with your level of demand with the photos, which is very high and based on a very strong self-criticism.