NESoP Gautemala 2008 Trip

ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA MARCH 14 - 24, 2008

Anyone interested in attending our 2008 trip should seriously consider talking with me very soon as space is limited and travel plans should be arranged sooner do to the fact that we will be there for Holy Week. This is a very exciting time to be in Antigua with parades, services and just tons of people from all over.

NESoP is planning to have students sign up starting the week of February 5th but I'd urge students considering this incredible experience to set up a time to speak with me prior so you can begin to look into airfares since they are only going to go up as we get closer to the date.

One aspect of the this years trip we are actively looking into is the possibility having a few photojournalists from two of Guatemala's largest newspapers speak to the group about their experiences as photojournalists working in Guatemala.

If you don't have your passport in order you should look into this now also since this may take a bit longer these days due to heavy volume.

I look forward to hearing from you all soon and start practicing your Spanish,

-GC

WHAT TO DO/GET/BRING: GUATEMALA 2008

WHAT TO DO, GET AND BRING: GUATEMALA 2008 by Glen Cooper and William Plowman

What to do before you leave:

Research, research & more research. But be open to exploring new threads
and possibilities as things present themselves when you hit the ground. If
you have specific assignments try to give yourself some time to explore
your own ideas.

Also, if you don't own it yet, please look into camera insurance. The NPPA offers a great insurance plan through Hays: Click Here for details


STUFF:

I try to travel as light as possible. Priority is always given to my gear.
So I don't take very many clothes. You'll never have everything you want on
you...its a struggle between running light and being prepared.

Hardware:

Camera Equipment. I'd bring two bodies if you have them. Lenses I'd recommend would be something in the 16-35mm range, something in the 24-70mm range.
I usually bring my 70-200mm but end up leaving this in the place I stay when I go out most days. I do bring a flash but this too ends up tucked away in my bag back at my hotel.

Batteries, please go out and get several so you can have at least two on your person each day and another charging back at your hotel.

Don't bother with a tripod. It is too heavy and you will never use it.

Audio Equipment. I bring along my M-Audio recorder but any digital audio recorder will work. I do recommend the Zoom H2 or H4.

Plenty of AA batteries for these devices. If using the M-Audio (internal battery) I'd recommend purchasing an emergency cell phone charger (~$20 from Home Depot). This device is small and takes AA batteries perfect for recharging your audio equip with internal batteries or even your cell phone.

Make sure you have all the proper mics and cords necessary since this stuff is impossible to find when you don't have it.

Cables. I carry a (long) ethernet cable. If you are
filing from the field its important to have a redundant workflow. If your
FTP client goes down...have 2 other email accounts you can send from.

Laptop. Back-up your work daily on dvd, cd or portable drives. If I'm
going on a relatively short trip I back up my images on my iPod. Also...I
have backup copies of Photomechanic, Adobe PS, Sound Slides and Transmit on my iPod should something bad happen.

Power strip and converters. Find out what, if any, converters are needed
where you'll be working. You can find packages of the most widely used
converters from most travel stores. Power strips are very handy as you'll
be charging batteries, laptops etc and Ive found some rooms only have one
outlet.

CF Cards. Things happen...cards die. Better to have 6 one gig cards than one
6 gig card.

Mobile phones. Depending on where you are it is usually cheaper just to buy
a local cell phone and calling cards (I WILL GIVE YOU ALL $15 TOWARDS A CELL PHONE. Cheapies are about $20).
However...if you prefer to use your own phone, most can be fitted with a card to
access the local network but they usually need to be unlocked prior so check with your brand.

MISC ACCESSORIES:

Lens cloth. Get some from any place that sells glasses.

Canned air. Your laptop and cameras will get pretty filthy. Keep things
clean.

Lens cleaner.

Travel Books. The Lonely Planet, Guatemala should be in everyone's backpack.

HEALTH:

Visit your doctor or travel clinic. Mt Auburn has a great travel clinic as does Mass General.
Get your shots well in advance.

Malaria zone? Talk to your doctor about anti-malarials. Take Deet or some
kind of repellent.

Medical kit. I always have a small med kit with plenty of iodine,
anti-bacterial, and lots of bandages. Please see your medical professional for advice on taking along any antibiotics or other medicines.

Sunscreen. If its hot and your out all day you'll need it.

OTHER:

Cash. Small US bills are best but try to limit bills over a US $20. Make sure you change some small bills into the local currency when you get there. Always change money at a bank or other certified exchange center. I find the airport to be the best, easiest and safest place to exchange money.

Have a copy of your passport, credit cards etc. on your laptop should you
lose them.

Dress. Personal choice...but I never wear a watch, jewelry or anything
else that might get in the way of interacting in the developing world. I
don't like to wear sunglasses for this very reason.

Bags. I don't like the "photoJ" bags very much. I prefer a small backpack
or a very small lens pouch type thing on my belt.

Notebooks & pens.

Biz Cards. You should be meeting a lot of people and making a lot of
connections. Make it easy for them and print up (on your own) a bunch of
cards with your name, # of the place you are staying or cell # and email
address.

TRAVELING:

I travel (plane etc) with my cameras and laptop on me. Should my checked
luggage not find its way to me I have everything I need to work on my
person. My checked luggage is one PELICAN hard-case. That way when I arrive
I can store any important things inside it and lock it up.

If it can go wrong...it will. So try to be prepared.

REPORTAGE: GUATEMALA

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
This is ten-day workshop for experienced photographers looking to enhance their skills in the field producing digital media projects, their portfolios and their knowledge of a People and culture that descended from the once great Mayan civilization.
COURSE DATES: March 14th through the 24th, 2008
ENROLLMENT: up to 15
LEVEL: Second year students, workshop students, or upon portfolio review

ASSIGNMENT:
Reportage: Guatemala is a 10-day intensive workshop for emerging Visual-journalists who want to create a visual media project much like the type of foreign assignment they would receive from an agency or editor. This workshop is designed to allow the student to experience a documentary assignment in the field with expert instruction from working photojournalists. Students will have the opportunity to generate their own photo-stories, exploring whatever aspects of Guatemalan culture they find most interesting. In addition to giving students the possibility to create a body of work for final portfolio, Reportage: Guatemala will also be an immersion into the culture of various native people. Students are responsible for researching relevant story ideas and making necessary contacts prior to leaving. Assistance will be provided to help with this process and local organization contacts have already been established. This workshop is designed to teach real-world process such as how to find stories, gain access, etc. There will be nightly critiques of the days work, on-line critiques for those not in the immediate area through Digital Railroad or other online sites, and extraneous field trips providing hands-on training and guidance. The nightly critiques are designed to provide students the opportunity to get feedback on their stories and discuss other personal discoveries. Part of the emphasis of the workshop is to find the social relevance and pertinent issues associated with each choice of story. The idea is to get this work published and choosing the right subject matter is the very first step. A final exhibition of the work will be presented at NESoP during Term 3 and students may wish to use this for their final presentation in Photojournalism.



BASE CAMP/LA OFICINA:
We will make our main base in La Antigua. Accommodations will be made with host families to allow students first-hand access to the local community and a quick immersion into the culture. A meeting room for nightly critiques will be set up and help will be provided to secure transportation, guides/fixers, directions, etc.


STRUCTURE:
A list of NGOs and other contacts and will be provided before leaving in order to get the process started. We only have 10 days, so every minute counts and that is why it is strongly recommended that students do as much logistical analysis prior to departure. Remember the main aim here is to produce a documentary that is worthy of publication. Students will work independently but will have access to daily, professional help with their projects through the nightly and online critiques. Also, faculty will accompany students on shoots to provide expertise and guidance where needed or solicited. This is a unique opportunity to intimately study a culture and its people so don't waste a minute of your time there.

INSTRUCTORS:
Glen Cooper is the PJ Instructor at NESoP. He has over 10 years experience working as a photojournalist. Currently he is the Chief Visual Journalist at BostonNOW and before that he was the photo editor at Boston Metro for 5 years. Visual media projects include Cuba, Iceland, The Azores, The Acadian Trail in Nova Scotia, The Bosnian War and a picture story on Craniosynostosis.

William B. Plowman is an international journalist who is part of the World Picture News agency(WpN). Bill has covered conflict in Central Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Haiti, North Africa and focuses on issues of humanitarian, political and social import.

Michael Hintlian is a documentary photographer with several books. He is currently the Documentary instructor at NESoP.

Nathan Fried-Lipski is the current TA for the PJ program and works with Boston Metro, Boston Magazine and the Boston Globe. He is a 2007 graduate of NESoP and a 2007 Guatemala trip participant where he documented the erosion of the Garifuna (black Guatemalans) culture.

Chris Gagne is a current TA for the PJ program and works as a photographer's assistant for a number of Boston based photographers, including John Huet, and White Packert Photography. His 2007 trip to Guatemala involved documenting destitute children and his recent work includes a documentary project on the Southern California wildfires. Chris is a 2007 graduate of the NESoP PJ program.



TUITION:
$1,150 covers tuition (non-student tuition is $2,500), accommodations, nightly critiques, special guided help, support and assistance finding story ideas and gaining access to in-country guides/fixers. AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED (but usually runs between $400-$800). It is the responsibility of each student to acquire the necessary paperwork (i.e. passports, visas, etc.).

EQUIPMENT:
This is a real-world project designed to show the student visual-journalist how to produce a digital media documentary in the field. Bring a digital SLR camera and all pertaining equipment. Bring your laptop with necessary software. A more extensive list will be provided to all participants upon sign-up.

VISAS:
United States citizens must hold a passport that is valid for the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.



HEALTH:
The most common health risks associated with travel to Guatemala are malaria (prevalent in the low-lying areas outside Guatemala City), dengue fever, rabies, typhoid, Hepatitis A and cholera. Dysentery and other diarrhoeal diseases are common. All such illnesses are preventible with proper medication and vaccinations.

WARNING:
We do not support any participating photographer willfully entering a dangerous situation or area. Every safeguard will be taken to ensure the safety of all participants however; we recommend that each student purchase equipment insurance prior to departure. NPPA has a link to the Hays Company.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
Participants must be experienced photographers, capable of working alone in the field, comfortable with their gear and willing to interact with people of different cultures. This is not a workshop for someone who wants to learn to be a photographer. Participants should be experienced travelers who can cope with problems and situations that WILL CERTAINLY arise in a Third World culture.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
In order to be accepted into the workshop you must go through a portfolio review and an interview, answering questions such as why you want to go, what is the story you will be working on, etc.. Interviews will take place the week of February 5, 2007.

photos from top to bottom by: Nathan Fried-Lipski, Louisa Moratti, map graphic © Lonely Planet Images, Louisa Moratti, and Chris DeNogales.