Note: This is the second part of the VII Masterclass 2022/2023 article series, originally published in September 2024 in the 255th issue (PDF) of the Périodique du Photo-Club Esch.
Deep down, I probably knew that the masterclass and the journeys to Arles would profoundly impact my personal and professional life. During the first session, I already felt a shift within me, and as I made my way to Arles, that feeling grew stronger. There were many significant moments during these sessions that were pivotal to my thinking and development process. However, two of the most significant moments were the private exchange with Stefano De Luigi during my homeward journey from Arles and the personal editing session with Nicolò Filippo Rosso after his keynote.
The conversation with Stefano De Luigi at the central station of Arles was deeply enlightening. His insights and observations resonated with me on a personal level, prompting a series of new thoughts and perspectives. This dialogue was not just about photography but also about life, purpose, and the broader context in which we work as documentary photographers, photojournalists, and visual storytellers. It was a moment of clarity that helped me see the path ahead more clearly.
Similarly, the private editing session with Nicolò Filippo Rosso was a turning point. His keynote was already inspiring, but the one-on-one session allowed for a more in-depth exploration of my work. Nicolò’s constructive feedback and guidance opened up new avenues for my creative process. He shared techniques and philosophies that challenged my existing approach and encouraged me to experiment and push boundaries.
These conversations ignited different trains of thought that have since propelled me forward. They were not just casual exchanges but profound interactions that significantly contributed to my growth. The masterclass experience, combined with these pivotal moments, set off a chain reaction of development and self-discovery.
Looking back, I realize that these journeys to Arles were more than just trips for professional development. They were transformative experiences that reshaped my understanding of photography and my role within it. The insights gained and the connections made during these sessions have left a lasting impression on my work and my outlook on life. The journey was not merely about learning new techniques but about evolving as a documentary photographer, a photojournalist, a visual storyteller, and as a person. It was a journey of growth, reflection, and newfound inspiration that I will carry with me into all my future endeavors.
Gap weeks
From October to December, we students were not left in a vacuum. Each of us was assigned a one-to-one online meeting with one of the two main mentors, plus a second mentor who was not present in Arles but could be consulted online. During these initial gap weeks, I was assigned to our mentor Maciek Nabrdalik and Sara Terry, who is based in Los Angeles, California. Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity to meet with Maciek online, as I fell ill during this period, but I was able to catch up at the Academy in December. Similarly, although I missed an online session with Sara, we managed to have an excellent exchange between Sara, Edoardo Melchiori (another masterclass student from Italy), and myself.
This exchange was sobering. After our online meeting, I had to reflect on her feedback, which took me a few days to fully grasp. She conveyed that I was too much inside my own head and needed to get out photographing, editing, sequencing, and repeating these processes. I needed to give myself ‘frames to work within.’ This brought me back to earth, shifting my focus from mere planning to actively getting out into the field.
During these gap weeks, the class stayed in almost daily contact via a Signal group—a group chat that continues to this day. By this point, it was clear we would become a group of friends who would remain in contact and support each other beyond the masterclass in Arles. Every success of a participant in the masterclass was also a personal satisfaction, as a friend reached a new achievement. We were involved by giving ideas, providing critical feedback, or cheering them up when they were uncertain of themselves.
For me, the months were long and somewhat frustrating. My motivation was high, but due to a prolonged cold over several weeks, I was unable to work as intensively as I wished. At the end of November, I surprised my partner Kelly, Salomé, and Zoé with an extended weekend in Paris for a cultural trip, also taking the opportunity to visit my dear friend and photojouranlist Lyam Bourrouilhou.
From September to December, I spent almost three entire weeks in France, nourishing my cultural needs. While being away, I was constantly in a headspace between Daingean Uí Chúis (Dingle), Baile Átha Cliath (Dublin), Arles, and Paris—a triangle between Ireland, where I feel at home, France a symbol for documentary photography and photojournalism to me, and Luxembourg where I live. Now, when I look back on my notes and these weeks and months, and those to come, it was all part of a process. A process that was necessary to bring me to the understanding I have of this setting today.
And so the moment had come yet again. It was the 14th of December, 2022, and time to leave for Arles.
[1] Bags packed and ready to go, Enya wasn’t ready to see me leave. Macik from VII Academy kindly offered to bring her along. ; [2] The ‘Uelzecht-Strooss’ was tranquil on December 14, 2022, at 5:38 AM. ; [3] My grandparents, with whom we live, got up early to say goodbye for the next five days. Since my grandmother isn’t healthy enough to walk long distances, my 84-year-old grandfather accompanied me alone to the central station in Esch-Uelzecht. One should never be seen off alone before a journey. There is love, and then there is grandparents’ love. ; [4] Obligatory selfie for the family. ; [5] The grand hall at Luxembourg City’s central station. ; [6] Arrival in Paris by TGV.
Off to Arles
As I did not want my partner to get up early to bring me to the station, and since I wanted to travel as environmentally neutral as possible, I decided to walk and pull my luggage through that cold early morning. It was an unforgettable morning indeed, as my 84-year-old grandfather accompanied me on foot. However, there was a moment of distress when he tripped over the edge of a curb and fell. Luckily, nothing was broken, and he only had a bruise to remember our early morning walk. We had a good laugh over the phone in the days that followed.
My journey took me from Esch-Uelzecht to Luxembourg City, then onward through Paris Gare de l’Est and Gare de Lyon, before finally arriving in Arles. The anticipation of reuniting with my fellow photographers and mentors filled me with excitement. I relished the sense of being on the road once more—traveling and immersing myself in cultural experiences that offered a refreshing departure from the usual routine in Luxembourg.
The second masterclass began with dinner a day before the official start, of course! The first day featured the long-awaited keynote by Stefano De Luigi, followed the next day by Maciek Nabrdalik. These two memorable presentations taught us immensely. On Saturday, the publishers Gianluca and Gianmarco Gamberini from L’Artiere publishing house in Italy presented their exceptional books.
After the lunch break, we had an extensive group discussion about ethics in photojournalism—passionate and intense! Following a break, yet another highlight of the day was about to take place: the keynote by Nicolò Filippo Rosso.
[1] Nicolò Filippo Rosso explains the context of the photo. ; [2] The class listening to Stefano de Luigi. ; [3] I had the privilege of working with Nicolò Filippo Rosso on editing a story. (Photo by Stefano de Luigi)
Nicolò Filippo Rosso (b. 1985) is an Italian documentary photographer whose work spans South, Central, and North America. His presentation was so compelling that it felt as though no one dared to make a sound, captivated by his fervent passion for humanitarian issues. Nicolò’s storytelling, the photographs he shared, and his distinctive methods were a powerful amalgamation that left a lasting impression. His explanations were rich with insight, and I intensely typed notes into my MacBook, striving to capture every detail. A particularly memorable excerpt from his speech was: documentary photography exists to signal a problem, not for aesthetics. The aesthetics must serve to convey a message to the viewers.
On the last day, we were given envelopes with 30 to 50 photos. No further information, just the photos, and we had to rearrange them into a final edit. Everyone was assigned another participant, except for me. Since three people could not attend the masterclass in December, we were one short, which was my luck: I got the unique chance to be assigned to Nicolò. I had an entire hour to learn and get inspired—sixty minutes I will certainly not forget. He could have gone on for hours explaining and telling me the stories and his methods. I have met many personalities in my life—politicians, activists, etc.—but a person as dedicated to the cause of refugees as him, I cannot think of ten others.
[1] View from Place de la Roquette. ; [2] Dawn is breaking over Arles. ; [3] Arles, the beautiful. ; [4] Political statements on a wall.
The entire masterclass was not without tears. If you have empathy, you could not get through the presentations and the stories dry-eyed. Stefano’s video on the Mediterranean Sea, Maciek’s presentations, and finally Nicolò’s very personal stories of the individuals you saw in the photos just pushed me over the edge. I was furious at the life stories, as no human being should go through something like this, but I was equally inspired. Inspired to get further involved and bring change to the people and issues I can impact.
Every photo can have an impact. Seize that opportunity. This lesson, imparted by Nicolò, is one that I have internalized deeply.
After the individual portfolio reviews and discussions about national and international competitions, the last day of the second session was over. Naturally, we had dinner again at the masterclass’s favorite restaurant: L’Entrevue.
[1] Dancers performing an Irish dance in front of my apartment window. Did I have the luck of the Irish? [2] Cooking up some healthy food—or whatever you’d call this chemistry experiment. [3] & [4] A preparatory test for Philip Blenkinsop’s summer 2023 exhibition. ; [5] “A spontaneous get-together hosted by Martin. f.l.t.r.: Elisabetta Abrami, Christopher Alpízar, mentor Philip Blenkinsop, Mihaela Aroyo, mentor Nicolò Filippo Rosso, Edoardo Melchiori & Martin Miklas.” ; [6] f.l.t.r.: Jan Guth, Evelyn Runge, Mitar Simikic, Joost Nuijten, Martin Miklas & Edoardo Melchiori. ; [7] Edoardo Melchiori (l.) and Mort O’Sullivan (r.) comparing rangefinder cameras. ; [8] Probably the most visited restaurant by the masterclass attendees: L’Entrevue. ; [9] I had a hilarious laugh at some Irish jokes Katarzyna Kieda shared with me. We were the only ones who got them. You’ll never beat the Irish! (Photo by Mihaela Aroyo)
Homeward bound
[1] French landscapes seen from the TGV window. ; [2] Creative self-portrait aboard the TGV. ; [3] Playing with reflections in the TGV window.
The second session of the masterclass was an exceptional experience that allowed me to grow both as a person and a photographer. The attendees, the city of Arles, and the overall setting initiated a series of unforgettable moments. These are memories of friendships formed and experiences shared that I will always treasure. Despite the entire session being somewhat overshadowed by a persistent cold that confined me to my flat for three nights, I remained mentally engaged and absorbed in my work.
On the morning of my departure, I caught the first TGV to Paris. To my surprise, Stefano De Luigi was also on the same train. This unexpected encounter led to an early morning croissant and a private exchange providing me with valuable and illuminating insights.
During my journey back to Paris, I took the opportunity to edit all the photos I had taken during this second trip to Arles, experimenting with different techniques along the way. Upon arriving in Paris, I met my dear friend Lyam Bourrouilhou, who unfortunately could not attend the second session of the masterclass. This brief reunion was a comforting reminder of the connections I had made.
Filled with hope, energy, creativity, new ideas, motivation, and knowledge to share, I boarded the TGV that would take me back to Luxembourg. This homeward journey was not just a return to my daily routine but a continuation of the transformative experience I had in Arles. The lessons learned and the connections made during the masterclass have left an indelible mark on my approach to documentary photography, photojournalism, visual storytelling, and my understanding of the world around me.
[1] Upon exiting the Gare de Lyon, I was greeted by the next photo exhibition. ; [2] Lyam Bourrouilhou couldn’t make it to the second part of the masterclass, so we met at Place de la République for a drink. [3] A final photo before wrapping up the last step of my journey.
