"I Photograph What I Want To See" with Jordan Reyes
Honing A Photographic Methodology That Invokes Your Unique Cognition And Experience
The best teachers and critics know to analyze and foment understanding according to the fundamental ethos within each individual, artist, or work of art. As artists, we still often find ourselves courting validation through established hierarchies — but positive reception is never guaranteed, and a more sustainable practice is the one that banks on satisfying ourselves in the process.
There is no way to photograph correctly. You can take a bunch of pictures haphazardly and then triage/edit deeply. You can pre-plan, pre-diagnose a venture out to a specific space at a specific time with a specific film with a specific camera at a specific aperture to get the exact image you’d like. Both are completely valid and can make for thrilling work.
With this workshop, Jordan Reyes will begin with a seminar before venturing out into Tokyo to attempt photographing with our methodology in mind. We will discuss readings by critics and writers like John Berger, David Campany, Philip Guston, Samuel Delany, Susan Sontag, and Julia Kristeva to break open our notions of what is true and what is permitted, allowing us to photograph more honestly, more sustainably, and ideally have a great time while doing so.
Honing A Photographic Methodology That Invokes Your Unique Cognition And Experience
The best teachers and critics know to analyze and foment understanding according to the fundamental ethos within each individual, artist, or work of art. As artists, we still often find ourselves courting validation through established hierarchies — but positive reception is never guaranteed, and a more sustainable practice is the one that banks on satisfying ourselves in the process.
There is no way to photograph correctly. You can take a bunch of pictures haphazardly and then triage/edit deeply. You can pre-plan, pre-diagnose a venture out to a specific space at a specific time with a specific film with a specific camera at a specific aperture to get the exact image you’d like. Both are completely valid and can make for thrilling work.
With this workshop, Jordan Reyes will begin with a seminar before venturing out into Tokyo to attempt photographing with our methodology in mind. We will discuss readings by critics and writers like John Berger, David Campany, Philip Guston, Samuel Delany, Susan Sontag, and Julia Kristeva to break open our notions of what is true and what is permitted, allowing us to photograph more honestly, more sustainably, and ideally have a great time while doing so.
Honing A Photographic Methodology That Invokes Your Unique Cognition And Experience
The best teachers and critics know to analyze and foment understanding according to the fundamental ethos within each individual, artist, or work of art. As artists, we still often find ourselves courting validation through established hierarchies — but positive reception is never guaranteed, and a more sustainable practice is the one that banks on satisfying ourselves in the process.
There is no way to photograph correctly. You can take a bunch of pictures haphazardly and then triage/edit deeply. You can pre-plan, pre-diagnose a venture out to a specific space at a specific time with a specific film with a specific camera at a specific aperture to get the exact image you’d like. Both are completely valid and can make for thrilling work.
With this workshop, Jordan Reyes will begin with a seminar before venturing out into Tokyo to attempt photographing with our methodology in mind. We will discuss readings by critics and writers like John Berger, David Campany, Philip Guston, Samuel Delany, Susan Sontag, and Julia Kristeva to break open our notions of what is true and what is permitted, allowing us to photograph more honestly, more sustainably, and ideally have a great time while doing so.
"I Photograph What I Want To See" with Jordan Reyes
Objectives and Benefits
Create Representative Work: You will have a number of photos or works that are representative of your new methodology, helping to springboard future work.
Engage with Critical Theory: You will engage with critical readings from renowned writers and critics to deconstruct notions of artistic and critical judgment.
Develop a Methodology: By the end of day three, you will have a concrete, worded or charted methodology emblematic of your personal, artistic truth and/or practice.
Target Participants
Any level is welcome, but a "beginner's mind" is essential. This workshop is designed for 4 participants, as Jordan is a very hands-on teacher and will spend as much time one-on-one with students as needed.
Language of Instruction
This workshop will be conducted in English and French. Participants are welcome to use AI translation tools (such as Google Translate) to assist them with communication during the session.
Schedule
This workshop is a three-day intensive held during the Ephemere Photo Fest at Gallery Conceal Shibuya in Tokyo.
Day One, October 1, Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (4-hour seminar)
Day Two, October 2, Thursday: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (2-hour shooting and reconvening)
Day Three, October 3, Friday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (4-hour shooting and reconvening)
The schedule for all three days is subject to extensions to allow for a comprehensive discussion with all participants. The mentor is willing to be flexible to ensure everyone gets the most out of the experience.
Workshop Fees
The workshop fee is $250 USD (or ¥35,000 JPY) per participant.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations made one month prior to the workshop date will receive a 50% refund.
Cancellations made less than one month prior to the workshop date are non-refundable.
Required Equipment & Materials
Digital camera (phone cameras allowed)
Writing materials (notebook and pencil or pen)
A way to send photos taken during the workshop to the mentor's email and/or print your photos.
Workshop Overview
Pre-Workshop:
During the Workshop: The workshop begins with a four-hour seminar where we will discuss readings from critics and writers. On days two and three, we will venture out into Tokyo to photograph with our new methodology in mind and reconvene each day to showcase what we’ve done.
Post-Workshop:
About the Mentor: Jordan Reyes
Process & Philosophy: Jordan Reyes's work is driven by a desire to create a sustainable practice that banks on satisfying ourselves in the process, of creating not for the industrial tools of now but for ourselves fifty years down the road. He uses both hand-drawn process graphs and charts as well as words to map his cognition and creation.
Career & Influence: With a vast background in the music industry, Jordan has run labels since he was twenty-three and has accrued credit for over fifty unique packages. His photography journey began in 2022 and was guided by artists like Masahisa Fukase, Sakiko Nomura, Todd Hido, Rinko Kawauchi, and William Eggleston.
Commitment to Practice: Jordan is a very hands-on teacher, committed to helping photographers live up to their essence at a specific point in time and space. He photographs to make the world feel manageable and to slow down his racing mind—a deeply personal and intentional practice.
Insert Jordan’s photos here (6)
Application Form
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need further information before submitting your application, please feel free to email us at anne@ephemere.tokyo.