SUMMER WORKSHOP 2025

Jean-Christophe BÉCHET

To build up a point of view, from shooting to editing

From Mon 21 July to Fri 25 July 2025

35 hours on 5 day(s)

820,00€ - 5 jours - Tarif en autofinancement 2025

First payment of 30%: 14 days after registration (withdrawal period expires)
Second payment of 70%: After starting the course

CONTACTS AND INFORMATION
Fabrice Courthial & Marie Couteux: stage@rencontres-arles.com
+33(0) 490 967 606

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This full-range course will help participants enrich their gaze, notably by completing a personal project in Arles or nearby that will be exhibited in a group show on the last day.
Jean-Christophe Béchet will advise and guide participants in exploring what makes their gaze unique by having them compare their work.
They will edit the photographs taken the day before and analyze study prints every day.
This key step will involve digital technology. Knowing how to choose photos is as important as shooting them.
Daily editing sessions will allow participants to bring out tangible elements. Analyzing their photographs will help them gain perspective in order to “see with others’ eyes”. They will state their intentions for future shoots, determine the right distance and make aesthetic choices—crucial steps necessary for creating connections between photographs. Sometimes, they also offer the possibility of finding paths in what at first was a matter of chance.

Participants will exchange ideas every day and perhaps discuss technical points to better master the camera, considered here as a tool for creation. For those who wish, a midweek introduction to the "situation portrait" will be offered.

Photographic culture will take center stage with a focus on the photo book’s importance. Mr. Béchet will present his work, revealing what goes on behind the scenes of building a photographer’s oeuvre. Some Rencontres d’Arles shows may also serve as teaching aids during a group tour.

At the end of the course, participants will exhibit a coherent, homogenous series. One of the course’s goals, the show will stress the selection process, arrangement and support more than processing files. The goal is both pedagogy and conviviality.

Those who wish may have their portfolio or a small selection of prior works critiqued at the end of the course. This will be optional, especially for the least advanced photographers, as it will not be directly related to the creative process at hand.

WORKSHOP IN FRENCH (TRANSLATION POSSIBLE ON DEMAND)

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BÉCHET
Born in Marseille in 1964, Jean-Christophe Béchet has lived and worked in Paris since 1990. He studied economics and photography at ENSP in Arles before working as a photographer for the press, publishers and galleries. He created the special supplements section for the magazine Réponses Photo and was its editor-in-chief until 2014. Mr. Béchet develops his work a book at a time. Since Marval published “Electric’Cités” in 2002, Trans Photographic Press has come out with 15 monographs of his work, including “Tokyo Station”, “Vues n°0, un manifeste photographique”, “American Puzzle”, “Marseille Ville Natale” and “7 Carnets”. He also wrote Petite Philosophie Pratique de la Prise de vue Photographique (Créaphis). He has just published European Puzzle (Loco) and participated in several shows. Mr. Béchet is represented by “Les Douches, la Galerie” (5, rue Legouvé, Paris 10th).
www.jcbechet.com/

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Face-to-face training course
Location: historic center of Arles
Mobility: stairs to access the building and for several interior rooms (contact us)
Number of participants: between 6 and 10 people
Start of the photo course on the first day: 10:00 a.m.
End of the photo course on the last day: 7:00 p.m. followed by a group presentation until 9:00 p.m.
Hours on other days: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Possibility to bring your own meal and eat on site during the lunch break

CONTENT
Daily shooting
Selection session on computer and/or on reading print
Study and analysis of the photographs taken
Daily reflections and discussions to define the characteristics of a personal approach
Analysis of the different central stages of a photographic production
“Final editing” session in order to produce a series homogeneous
Finalization of a series on digital file, printed then hung

OBJECTIVES
- Understand different stages of the production of a photographic series: take shots
- Finalize a “coherent” set of digital photographs on a personal theme

SKILLS TARGETED
- Be able to conduct a photoshoot session independently
- Succeed in selecting a coherent set of photographs on a personal theme

PRE-REQUISITES
None.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Anyone wishing to develop their photographic practice. Amateur photographers, novices or experienced. People working or studying in the field of image, communication, journalism, architecture… Professional photographers wishing to explore a new field, a new technique.

PRICES
see the price list according to the duration and type of support. Request a quote

BRING (IDEALLY)
- A selection of about 30 images showing your practice (preferably on paper / format of your choice) / Highly recommended to get to know the trainer.
- Your camera with charger, batteries ... (Free loan possible on request)
- 2 memory cards (to keep your photos)
- Possibly hard drive (mac compatible) or your computer if you wish

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ACCESS
After receiving the registration and self-positioning form, a telephone or message exchange may be made. Registration is definitively validated after acceptance of the training contract and receipt of the 30% deposit after a 14-day withdrawal period.

TEACHING METHODS
Supervision by a professional trainer/photographer
The trainer reads the registration and self-positioning form in advance in order to adapt the process and methods to the objectives.

TECHNICAL METHODS
Mac computer workstations/card reader
Video projector
Flash and LED lighting on request
Hybrid digital camera on request
A library of photographic works

ASSESSMENT
- Interview and individualized assessment upon entering the training
- Carrying out practical exercises continuously assessed by the trainer
- Oral assessment at the end of the training

FORMALIZATION AT THE END OF THE TRAINING
Certificate of completion of training

ACCESSIBILITY AND DISABILITY
Whether you are recognized as having a disability or not, we are at your disposal for any information, and will do everything possible to support you, adapt the content, the materials, the pace and facilitate your reception.
For any further information please contact Mr Fabrice Courthial at 04.90.96.76.06

CONDITIONS OF ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH REDUCED MOBILITY
Presence of stairs to access the training location
Building with stairs to access certain classrooms and shooting locations.
No access ramp or elevator.