Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia
Here is what folks have to say about Matt Brandon:
As a photographer, I know how difficult it is to capture the essence of a subject, particularly one of a different culture. I truly appreciate Matt’s work, because not only is he finely attuned to the technical aspects of great portraiture and natural light, it’s crystal clear he spends the right amount of quality time with them to put them at ease with his camera.
Matt’s work is not based on making money. Like most concerned photographers, his goal is to improve lifestyles of forgotten people who are struggling in this world for basic survival. I worked for the United Nations as a photojournalist for over 20 years documenting the struggles of people around the world. For me to see a Freelance photographer having the same goals and conviction is remarkable. I have no hesitation to recommend Matt for any photographic coverage.
Matt Brandon’s photographs are marked by their luminosity – not only in the quality of the light present in the images but in their luminosity of spirit. Matt has a rare ability to capture the beauty of the human spirit, even in some of its darkest corners and most impoverished contexts. Matt is a visionary with an eye for hope and beauty.
A Word From Workshop Participants
I look back on the Ladakh-Photo-Trek as one of the most important experiences for my development as photographer. On the whole tour there was a constant and very personal mentoring, frequent critiques in the evening and everyday novel encounters with the Ladakhi scenery, people and their culture. Sometimes we were pushed to our boundaries. The tour was exceptional well organized and carried out. … and it was FUN!
I had such a wonderful time on Matt’s 2013 Rajasthan Photo Trek and Workshop that I would love to go back and do it all over again. Yes, all of it! Two weeks of fun, photography, laughter, discovery, and pure enjoyment, along with excellent company and delicious food — I can’t imagine a better introduction to India. Best of all, the photographic learning experience was priceless: Matt is an inspiring teacher and mentor who really cares about helping his students push their boundaries and learn how to create better images, while Piet’s expert assistance with workflow and post-processing issues was a real bonus. Highly recommended!
This workshop was everything I expected and more than I hoped for! Matt and Piet did a great job of reinforcing the basics and helping me explore new areas in my photography. Rajasthan was the perfect backdrop for shooting a wide variety of pictures and wonderfully diverse cultural experience. I’m already thinking about taking another trip with them!
I came hungry for images and stories, and eager to improve my photo technique and storytelling skills. I feasted for two weeks on an incredible buffet of professional excellence, visual excitement, stimulating assignments and personal coaching. This workshop takes you beyond photography: above all Matt teaches by example how to discover, respect, explore, embrace and document the culture, the people and the daily life of the host country. Piet’s expertise in post-processing and off-camera lighting tips provide further value for refining our images to perfectly reflect what we saw at the moment of capture. People are at the heart of the program. This not only shows in the approach of the subject matter, but equally in the welcoming and caring support from the workshop leaders. It did not take long for us to travel as a close and joyful troop.
Just a few words to tell you how much I enjoyed the Rajasthan Photo Trek. I am coming back with a bunch of images that I do not believe I would have been capable to take had I not been on the workshop. I genuinely appreciated your hands-on approach, the tips and tricks that you provided spontaneously and your availability at all times to spend one-on-one time, not to mention your eye for photogenic detail and your generosity in drawing the participants’ attention to photographic opportunities that they were overlooking. On this latter point, the fact that you almost did not shoot yourself, preferring to focus on the efforts and improvement of the skills of your students, proved invaluable.
Don’t hesitate to subscribe to this workshop! Matt seemed at first to be a magnet who magically attracts photogenic situations but don’t be mistaken: the man knows how to create photographic opportunities and how to share them with other photographers.