Program Directed by
John Ralston
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
New York City
Photo Workshop with the International Center of Photography
Join a photography workshop in New York City with the International Center of Photography, the world’s leading institution of photography and visual culture. Set out each day to capture the vibrant sights and sounds that define this global cultural hub, from Little Italy to Chinatown and beyond. With photography leaders and experts from ICP, delve into photographic skills and techniques with special access to ICP’s world-class facilities. Experiment with digital and film, explore the darkroom, develop prints, and sharpen your craft through dynamic lessons, studio time, and inspiring photo shoots across the city’s vibrant neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. Return home with improved skills, creative confidence, and a portfolio of your work.
- Highlights
• Set out on photo assignments to explore the neighborhoods of NYC
• Transform film into prints in ICP’s state-of-the-art darkroom labs
• Visit incredible galleries for a look inside the heart of the photography world
• Practice portrait photography on a day trip to Coney Island
• Transform film into prints in ICP’s state-of-the-art darkroom labs
• Visit incredible galleries for a look inside the heart of the photography world
• Practice portrait photography on a day trip to Coney Island
“I’ve never been surrounded by more people with a passion for photography and who take their craft so seriously.”
—Kylie W., New York, NY
Featured
Expert
An Expert joins each Career program for a portion of the itinerary, lending their insights and perspectives to the experience.
Jon Henry is a visual artist working with photography and text, from Queens, NY (and residing in Brooklyn). His work reflects on family, sociopolitical issues, grief, trauma, and healing within the African American community. His work has been published...
Jon Henry is a visual artist working with photography and text, from Queens, NY (and residing in Brooklyn)....
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and leaders in New York City. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
New York City — 12 days
Begin your program in the classrooms of the International Center of Photography and learn how to train your eye and improve your technical skills, then take to the streets in small groups, practicing what you’ve learned on photo shoots. Get to know the city’s many vibrant neighborhoods, from the East Village to Chinatown. Ride the subway to Coney Island for a day trip to photograph the kaleidoscopic colors of vintage amusement rides, frame the soaring architecture of the Brooklyn Bridge, and capture poignant shots of the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center.
In the evenings, review the day’s images, work on editing your photos for a final gallery show, and attend talks led by our ICP Expert photographer and instructors. Then head out to photograph the city at nightfall, learning to control your exposure settings for vivid results.
Under the guidance of ICP experts and your photo instructors, learn to shoot with film, an essential part of understanding light, exposure, and composition. Take the time to slow down and consider each frame, enabling you to see the world in a more deliberate, thoughtful way. With ICP staff, develop your film and transform your negatives into traditional black-and-white darkroom prints. Experience the process from start to finish as you build a deep connection to your work and a richer understanding of photography as both craft and art.
In addition to your photo assignments, get an intimate look at the photography world, starting at the International Center of Photography Museum Exhibition, and follow with visits to some of the many amazing galleries that thrive in the diverse city of New York. Learn from your leaders and group expert what to consider when curating a gallery show.
Spend the last few days of the photo workshop putting the finishing touches on your body of work and organizing and editing your images. Together with your group and ICP expert, work to curate and install a pop-up gallery show featuring each student’s original images, celebrating with your group all you’ve learned and accomplished.
Return — Travel Day
Head to the airport for independent flights home, or arrange for parent or guardian pick-up from the group accommodations. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and leaders in New York City. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
New York City — 12 days
Begin your program in the classrooms of the International Center of Photography and learn how to train your eye and improve your technical skills, then take to the streets in small groups, practicing what you’ve learned on photo shoots. Get to know the city’s many vibrant neighborhoods, from the East Village to Chinatown. Ride the subway to Coney Island for a day trip to photograph the kaleidoscopic colors of vintage amusement rides, frame the soaring architecture of the Brooklyn Bridge, and capture poignant shots of the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center.
In the evenings, review the day’s images, work on editing your photos for a final gallery show, and attend talks led by our ICP Expert photographer and instructors. Then head out to photograph the city at nightfall, learning to control your exposure settings for vivid results.
Under the guidance of ICP experts and your photo instructors, learn to shoot with film, an essential part of understanding light, exposure, and composition. Take the time to slow down and consider each frame, enabling you to see the world in a more deliberate, thoughtful way. With ICP staff, develop your film and transform your negatives into traditional black-and-white darkroom prints. Experience the process from start to finish as you build a deep connection to your work and a richer understanding of photography as both craft and art.
In addition to your photo assignments, get an intimate look at the photography world, starting at the International Center of Photography Museum Exhibition, and follow with visits to some of the many amazing galleries that thrive in the diverse city of New York. Learn from your leaders and group expert what to consider when curating a gallery show.
Spend the last few days of the photo workshop putting the finishing touches on your body of work and organizing and editing your images. Together with your group and ICP expert, work to curate and install a pop-up gallery show featuring each student’s original images, celebrating with your group all you’ve learned and accomplished.
Return — Travel Day
Head to the airport for independent flights home, or arrange for parent or guardian pick-up from the group accommodations. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Theme: Photography Workshop
Designed for beginners as well as advanced photographers, this summer photo workshop is for students who are excited to completely immerse themselves in all aspects of photography, from the classroom to the field, in one of the world’s most iconic photographic destinations. Students benefit from personal guidance from group instructors and a program Expert from the International Center of Photography, all of whom have extensive experience in the field and working with students. Through assignments in the field, classes, and critiques, this special workshop aims to challenge and inspire students to take their photography to the next level. Program instructors will teach the ethics of photography, how to approach subjects in the field, editing, and digital workflow, as well as composition, lighting techniques, storytelling through images, and strategies for curating and presenting a cohesive body of work. Students will also learn how to critically evaluate their own images, give and receive constructive feedback, and develop an advanced approach to their photographic practice.
Final Projects & Gallery Show
The program culminates with a pop-up gallery opening that features one printed image from each student and a presentation of all their hard work. The images are submitted to the International Center of Photography Expert who curates the show, helping students get a sense of what a professional photographer goes through when submitting work for publication. Students help organize, curate, and install the exhibit. The pop-up gallery is a time for the entire group to celebrate the work you’ve accomplished on the final night, and students come away from the program with an improved understanding of camera controls and a solid understanding of how to create successful images.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During program orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer program that involves city walking each day. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
Students stay in comfortable dorm-style housing, mostly in double rooms. Common areas provide space to relax, collaborate, and connect, creating a supportive community throughout the program.
Meals
The group will eat together for most meals. Many meals take place around the vibrant neighborhoods near ICP, offering the chance to sample the incredible variety of New York City’s food—from classic delis and pizza spots to international flavors. Please note that lunch is not included, giving students the flexibility to explore the city’s culinary scene on their own.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Theme: Photography Workshop
Designed for beginners as well as advanced photographers, this summer photo workshop is for students who are excited to completely immerse themselves in all aspects of photography, from the classroom to the field, in one of the world’s most iconic photographic destinations. Students benefit from personal guidance from group instructors and a program Expert from the International Center of Photography, all of whom have extensive experience in the field and working with students. Through assignments in the field, classes, and critiques, this special workshop aims to challenge and inspire students to take their photography to the next level. Program instructors will teach the ethics of photography, how to approach subjects in the field, editing, and digital workflow, as well as composition, lighting techniques, storytelling through images, and strategies for curating and presenting a cohesive body of work. Students will also learn how to critically evaluate their own images, give and receive constructive feedback, and develop an advanced approach to their photographic practice.
Final Projects & Gallery Show
The program culminates with a pop-up gallery opening that features one printed image from each student and a presentation of all their hard work. The images are submitted to the International Center of Photography Expert who curates the show, helping students get a sense of what a professional photographer goes through when submitting work for publication. Students help organize, curate, and install the exhibit. The pop-up gallery is a time for the entire group to celebrate the work you’ve accomplished on the final night, and students come away from the program with an improved understanding of camera controls and a solid understanding of how to create successful images.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During program orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer program that involves city walking each day. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active and that you are excited about trying all activities.
Accommodations
Students stay in comfortable dorm-style housing, mostly in double rooms. Common areas provide space to relax, collaborate, and connect, creating a supportive community throughout the program.
Meals
The group will eat together for most meals. Many meals take place around the vibrant neighborhoods near ICP, offering the chance to sample the incredible variety of New York City’s food—from classic delis and pizza spots to international flavors. Please note that lunch is not included, giving students the flexibility to explore the city’s culinary scene on their own.
A Day in the Life: New York City
Due to the dynamic nature of this student photography program, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in New York.
- Morning
8:00am
Eat breakfast together with your group at our accommodations
9:30am
Break into teams to shoot in and around Central Park
- Afternoon
12:30pm
Enjoy lunch with friends, then relax with your group before afternoon assignments
2:00pm
Head out in groups with prompts from your expert to capture both iconic landmarks and hidden spaces around the city
5:00pm
Participate in a group critique led by your instructors to comment on each student’s images
- Evening
6:00pm
Take dinner as a group at a nearby restaurant
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and learn about the next day’s activities
9:00pm
Continue reviewing and editing your images or relax with friends before lights-out
A Day in the Life:
New York City
Due to the dynamic nature of this student photography program, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in New York.
- Morning
8:00am
Eat breakfast together with your group at our accommodations
9:30am
Break into teams to shoot in and around Central Park
- Afternoon
12:30pm
Enjoy lunch with friends, then relax with your group before afternoon assignments
2:00pm
Head out in groups with prompts from your expert to capture both iconic landmarks and hidden spaces around the city
5:00pm
Participate in a group critique led by your instructors to comment on each student’s images
- Evening
6:00pm
Take dinner as a group at a nearby restaurant
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and learn about the next day’s activities
9:00pm
Continue reviewing and editing your images or relax with friends before lights-out
“His passion for photography grew even stronger, and his confidence in using the camera’s advanced features noticeably improved, resulting in unique photos he feels genuinely excited about.”
—Juad M. Weston, CT
Program Directed by
John Ralston
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
