Camille Seaman Talks About Photo Workshops In Xinjiang, China

Camille Seaman graduated in 1992 from the State University of New York at Purchase, where she studied photography with Jan Groover and has since taken master workshops with Steve McCurry, Sebastiao Salgado, and Paul Fusco. She frequently leads photographic and self-publishing workshops. Her photographs have received many awards including:

• a National Geographic Award, 2006;
• and the Critical Mass Top Monograph Award, 2007.

In 2008 she was honored with a one-person exhibition, “The Last Iceberg” at the National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC.

Q: When did you first visit China?

A: 2002 was the first year I ventured into mainland China. I went again every year until 2008 mostly making my way towards the Tibetan Regions but I have explored the North and South, East and West. It is a vast country and I can hardly claim to have seen much of it, but I feel comfortable enough to navigate my way around and am always finding some incredible aesthetics that make rich images.

Q: What was the main interest that took you there?

A: At first it was as a tourist, then I was curious about Tibet so I went back there every year for four years. The first time I went to Tibet was on a photographic expedition led by National Geographic's Steve McCurry. He taught me a great deal, reminded me essentially that the quality of light was an incredibly important aspect of photography. What I learned from him, there in the field I am excited to share with those of you who join me. I guarantee you will never see light the same way again.

Q: Was China as you expected?

A: I had no expectations. Everything was new and strange and so complex. I was very stimulated.

Q: Was Tibet?

A: Tibet was beyond my dreams, I had no idea that it would have such a profound impact on me in the way that it did. Tibet was the total package, amazing landscape beautiful people and incredible culture. I often dream of that place and sometimes miss it.

Q: What have been your favorite experiences in China or Tibet so far?

A: I have so many rich experiences in both Tibet and China, I have had some really challenging experiences too. Always the aspects that stand out in my mind are when I am in an environment where the landscape intersects with the culture and people. Where something is happening outside in the open air that involves people and everyday life, sometimes festivals too. There is a rhythm that we are so unaware of in our developed western worlds. It is very attractive to me to stand in witness of something so simple but so rich.

Q: Which New Chinese Landscape images are you most satisfied with?

A: There are many photographers doing amazing work on this topic, I greatly admire the work of Edward Burtynsky, Nadiv Kander, and James Whitlow Delano. Of my own images I would have to say I make many images of urban china in a sort of film noir darkness that I like. But those are my own and I have not shared them with the world as of yet.

Q: You chose two workshops from a long list of locations across China. What appealed most about the opportunities in Xinjiang?

A: I am always curious about places that I have not heard much about or are off the beaten path. This area of China is unlike any other part of China and the sense of adventure and discovery(seeing things with new eyes) is very appealing to me.

Q: The workshops offer opportunities for photographing both people and landscapes. Which of these interest you the most?

A: I am equally drawn to photographing both Landscapes and People. My mastery of using available natural light will be a great knowledge to share with photographers that really want to take the quality of their work to another level.

Q: Which do you think pose the most challenge?

A: Depending on conditions both landscapes and making meaningful images of people can be challenging. I take pride in helping photographers overcome their apprehensions of approaching strangers that they wish to photograph. I teach them how to make wonderful images while exercising respectful attitudes. Often rewarding interactions are the richest part of travel.

Q: An interesting aspect of visiting this part of China is the ethnic minorities in the area, particularly the Tuvan peoples along the Irtysh River. We can expect to encounter Kazhaks & Uyghurs as well, plus possibly Kyrgyz & Mongolian peoples. Can you tell us something about your own ethnic heritage, and how this may be relevant to these workshops?

A: My own mixed heritage(Native American: Shinnecock Tribe, African American and Italian) might sound exotic, but the truth is I was raised as and identify myself as a Shinnecock Indian. Tribal cultures and ethnic minorities are people who I feel I can easily relate to. I look forward to learning about peoples that I have not come into contact before and learning more about those that I have. I do not hold any secret key that will access a hidden part of a culture but I can guarantee that my unique heritage and perspective will add incredible insight and value to the experience of contact with these fascinating peoples.

Q: Northern Xinjiang is quite a remote area in China. Does this concern you?

A: As a person who has spent many years literally at the ends of the earth I feel quite comfortable on the edge of things. I like exploring places where few tourists actively go. I know that some comforts may be sacrificed but it seems a fair price to pay to meet people and see places that are so unique and amazing.

Q: Would you recommend any special photographic equipment that participants might want to bring along?

A: Of course most of you will rely heavily on your digital cameras, to do the bulk of your work with, but I might also encourage you to bring a less formal point and shoot camera and/or a film camera with a few rolls of film that will encourage you to relax a bit and "play" sometimes instead of thinking that its all got to be so heavy, serious or "work" oriented.

Q: Is there any preparation that would help?

A: Please do NOT make the mistake of bringing a brand new fancy camera that you are unfamiliar with on such a special trip... I cannot tell you how many times this happens and because of a person's unfamiliarity with the equipment they spend endless hours frustrated trying to figure out how to achieve something or where some feature is on the camera. Prepare by being totally comfortable and reasonably knowledgeable about your equipment. This goes for all gear... Tripods, computers, hard drives etc.

Q: How will workshop participants benefit from your skills and experience?

A: The most rewarding and valuable aspect of traveling with me as your guest photographer is that I am there SPECIFICALLY for you! To show you what I know, share with you my technical and philosophical approach towards making images with a camera, and the best part is not only do I like sharing but I am an AMAZING teacher! I can actually articulate and share with you everything I know. So if you want to learn about light, if you want to practice better composition, if you want to better yourself technically artistically or even rethink your whole approach to photography I am there to help you do just that!, Further more I am not out to make you into another version of me, I am there to help you cultivate your own visual voice and artistic abilities. Sounds fun doesn't it?

Q: What do you plan to do with the images you capture during the workshops?

A: I would be telling a great big fib if I said I really knew... But there is a body of work that is slowly starting to evolve and I think if I am lucky the work from these trips may fit in there nicely. Many of images find their way into exhibitions and magazines so who knows? I do know they won't end up in a shoebox under my bed.

Q: Are you planning on visiting any other parts of China after the workshops?

A: Hmmm. I had not thought that far ahead... maybe a trip into Tibet?