AsiaLIFE

Whether you like keeping friends back home up-to-date with what’s happening via Facebook, or want to capture that perfect moment, we can all do with some brushing up on our photographic skills. As Mark Jackson discovers, it can also make for a fun day out.

Just like everyone is supposed to have a novel inside of them, all of us can take a good photograph. All we need to do is splash out on the right camera. With so many photo-opportunities waiting at every corner and the price of digital cameras coming down all the time, we just need to aim and fire, to capture that perfect picture. If that one doesn’t work out, we can always take another shot. If you found yourself nodding in agreement while reading the preceding paragraph then you really need to take one of Nathan Horton’s photography classes.

“Cameras don’t take great pictures, people do,” explains Nathan at the start of his lesson, held in his photography studio on Street 136. He then proceeds to tell you precisely how your camera works in his morning photography class, which he prefers to call a workshop. Broken down into three sections – the technical side of the camera, the aesthetics of photography including composition and light, and then the ethics of travel photography, the workshop is ideal for those with a basic knowledge of how a camera works, or those in need of a refresher. The technical side focuses on how cameras work, with some handy tips. Teaching how to balance aperture against shutter speed Nathan advises that erring on the side of under-exposure is normally best. You can always lighten photographs up in post-production, such as photoshop. If the image captured is over-exposed you will loose detail. Don’t worry if you feel a little lost during the workshop, the afternoon practical session allows plenty of time to work things out for yourself.

Taking The ‘Right’ Travel Photograph

Possibly the most interesting part of the workshop is that relating to the ethics of travel photography. A photographer for over twenty years, Nathan worked in the fashion industry in London, often in the controlled environment of the studio. This is a million miles away from the unpredictable atmosphere of travel photography in Cambodia, where you need your wits about you. Observing that the language of photography is the same as hunting – re-read the first paragraph if you don’t believe him – he has one clear piece of advice. Share the experience with the subject of your photograph. Don’t creep up on your prey and try to steel a shot from across the road with a high-powered lens.

“Far too many photographers look like snatch and grab merchants,” he says. “It is very much about the photographers getting what they want out of it rather than sharing the cultural experience.” He always shows people his camera, smiles at them while indicating he wants to take their portrait and then shares the photograph with them afterwards – one clear benefit of digital over film. “The downside is that people pose for the photos,” he says. “Eventually, they’ll get back to their normal hanging around.” You just have to show a little bit of patience. In his opinion photography tends to open rather than close doors. “Maybe they’ll even offer you some food.” 

Putting It into Practice

This workshop is followed by the field trip. On Saturdays, Nathan takes his budding camera enthusiasts to Silk Island, finishing with a leisurely cruise along the Mekong on The Butterfly before returning to Phnom Penh. The following day he visits Kampong Chhnang and Udong. We chose the latter.

On our trip, Nathan followed a boat ride on the river at Kampong Chhnang, with a short visit to the local market. The river trip tested our command of the technical side of photography – taking shots while in motion, light reflecting off the water and changeable weather patterns – we had both rain and bright sunlight. In the market, we encountered the ethical side – how to take photographs of women lazing around after a hard day’s selling? A typical vignette of Cambodian life, the difference was in seeing the way Nathan finessed the women’s initial reticence, ending up surrounded by half the market all eager to see their images on the small display screen.

The day ends with a short walk up the hill at Udong to take a shot of the sun setting over the Cambodian countryside. We chatted with a group of young monks, who were visiting the place of workshop. More doors were opened into their culture. For me, this was the highlight of the day – sitting in a quite mystical place watching the sun slide behind the horizon and listening to the monks chanting in the wondrous dimming light. Nathan assures that timing your visit for when the monks are there is pure chance, however much notice you give him.

Day trips cost US$100 per person (including all teaching, guidance and transport costs. Small groups of 4 (or more) and couples get a 10 percent discount. Nathan also runs a half-day walking tour around Phnom Penh for US$50. Booking in advance is essential. For more information, visit: www.nathanhortonphotography.com