“I tend to think of the act of photographing, generally speaking, as an adventure. My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.” ― Diane Arbus

12 MONTH PROGRAM 2026

The Scottish filmmaker, John Grierson coined the term ‘documentary’ in the 1920’s and defined it as ‘the creative treatment of actuality.’ Werkstatt: offers an educational program based on Grierson’s deceptively simple definition, designed for students to engage with documentary + art photography, with reference to the complex theoretical and discursive history of this particular and rapidly evolving genre.

From the onset students will be set small yet stimulating assignments to begin the process of questioning the medium of photography and the practical issues of effectively engaging with the subject. Conceptual, experimental, speculative and straight approaches are all encompassed. Passion is the fuel and an essential motivation for any photographer to actively and intellectually engage in the real world. Key issues are researching, shooting, editing and sequencing projects during the process of making the work. It is only in the doing of the work that the meaning begins to develop. A great emphasis is placed on finding a natural visual voice, via technique and the appropriate visual attitude to the subject.

The Saturday seminars are taught by Werkstatt: founder and director, Michael Grieve. The seminars are for the research, development and production of major projects. For the first 3 seminars assignments will be set that are designed to question the fundamental dialogue of the document/art relationship of photography, narrative and visual technique. Participants will be provided with a reading list of photographic texts and reading material to study.

The Sunday seminars are taught by Patricia Morosan, Francesca Comune and Calin Kruse of Dienacht Publishing, and international guest lecturers. Calin Kruse will introduce the development of making a book, involving narrative, sequence and design.

The aim of the program is to produce an aesthetically strong and meaningful body of work to be exhibited at a gallery space in Berlin and and the possibility of an exhibtion at the Festival Off during the Rencontres d’Arles. Please note that the program fee does not cover the costs of exhibitions.

PROGRAM BEGINS IN 28-29 MARCH 2026

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

DEADLINE 10 MARCH 2026

The program is designed for 12 students.

The program is divided into 21 physical seminars . 1 weekend per month divided into 2 seminars. 10 Creative Practice seminars (Saturday). 10 Guest Lecturer and Theory seminars (Sunday).

The program will be taught by:

Michael Grieve, photographer, director/founder of Werkstatt: and ArtFotoMode .

Patricia Morosan, photographer and visual artist.

Francesca Comune, photographer, visual artist.

Calin Kruse, founder/director of Dienacht Publishing and director of Leipzig Photobook Festival.

The Sunday seminars for the 2026 program will feature a variety of invited guest lecturers.

Guest lecturers 2024 & 2025: Uli M Schueppel, filmmaker; Damien Daufresne, photographer and visual artist; Francois le Blond, master printer at Moon Prints ; Anne Barkin, editor of Photo Letter; Tanya Sharapova, photographer; Masixole Ncevu, visual artist.

Private visits to galleries, institutions and archives including the Kicken Gallery.

The education program location Werkstatt:, Wilhelmstrasse 7, 10963 Berlin.

FIRST SEMESTER 2026 PROGRAM:

28-29 March / Michael Grieve / Patricia Morosan

18-19 April / Michael Grieve / Francesca Comune

16-17 May / Patricia Morosan

27-28 June / Michael Grieve / Patricia Morosan

25-26 July / Michael Grieve

SECOND SEMESTER 2026 PROGRAM:

26-27 September / Michael Grieve / Patricia Morosan

10-11 October / Michael Grieve

21-22 November

12-13 December

January / tbc

March / tbc

FEES: €1,850 PER YEAR

EX-WERKSTATT BERLIN STUDENT FEE: €1,700

CAN BE PAID WITH INSTALMENTS

STUDENTS SAVE 10% ON ALL Werkstatt Berlin WORKSHOPS

THESE FEES ARE FOR THE PROGRAM ONLY AND NOT EXHIBITIONS IN BERLIN

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT : studio@werkstatt.photo

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Cover foto: Piotr Wojsznis

01.10.2026 - 28.05.2027

01.03.2027 - 01.03.2028

01.10.2026 - 28.05.2027

01.03.2027 - 01.03.2028