THE LIFE OF A PLACE
5th & 6th September 2026
Phyang & Likir, Ladakh
Photography with Ayan Biswas & Sanket Ray
Course Overview
From the early days of photography, through colonial archives, to the way we make images today, the workshop looks at how photography has changed and the different ways we understand images.
The sessions will explore photography as a way of observing and engaging with a place, its landscapes, communities, histories and lived realities. Ayan Biswas will share his journey as a visual artist and reflect on how his practice has evolved through his engagement with local communities and the surrounding landscapes of Ladakh.
Through practical exercises, participants will work with images as a way of exploring and building visual narratives. The workshop will introduce the importance of editing and sequencing, and how individual photographs can come together to create a larger story.
The sessions will also look at developing a sustained photographic practice, encouraging participants to think about photography as a long-term practice with an emphasis on observation, process and working with a place over a longer period of time.
Mode of teaching
The workshop will be conducted over two days in Ladakh, combining conversations, image-based discussions and hands-on photographic exercises. Participants will work with their own photographic material and explore different ways of observing, editing and sequencing images.
Mentor Profile:
AYAN BISWAS
Based in Ladakh, Ayan Biswas is a visual artist working across photography, printmaking and moving images. His practice explores landscapes, memory and human relationships, approaching image-making as a means of inquiry into materiality, histories and lived realities.
Through alternative photographic processes, Ayan explores how landscapes inhabited by communities hold traces of collective memory. His work looks at the ways in which environments, materials and human presence become intertwined, revealing layered narratives of belonging, transition and cultural continuity.
His practice extends into community-engaged projects and collaborative learning. Through workshops, exchanges and participatory projects, he has been working with local communities towards building an evolving archive that reflects on identity, place and interconnected ways of living.
SANKET RAY
Sanket Ray is a filmmaker, cinematographer, visual storyteller and educator whose practice is driven by a curiosity about people, places, cultures and the stories that connect them.
With over 14 years of experience across journalism, television, digital media and independent cinema, he combines the rigour of a journalist with the visual sensitivity of a filmmaker. A cinematography graduate from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, Sanket has worked across documentary, branded and independent films, often engaging with communities and landscapes beyond conventional urban narratives.
His films have been recognised and screened at platforms including the Mumbai International Film Festival, Indo-German Filmweek in Berlin and international documentary festivals. Alongside filmmaking, he is invested in film education, mentoring young people and communities through filmmaking, photography, theatre and storytelling workshops.
Fee : 3500/- with refreshments
Who is this for?
Ideal for:
- Beginners to intermediate photographers who want to move beyond single images into place-based storytelling.
- Visual artists, filmmakers, designers, researchers, or writers interested in how images can hold memory, landscape, and community.
- Anyone curious about sustained photographic practice rather than one-off “pretty pictures.”
- People drawn to Ladakh’s landscapes and cultures who want a thoughtful, observational approach rather than purely touristic shooting.
No prior experience in Ladakh required. Phone cameras and any digital/film camera are welcome. Open to Indian and international participants comfortable with basic travel and high-altitude conditions.
Logistics & Practical Info
- Dates: 5th & 6th September 2026
- Locations: Phyang and Likir, Ladakh (short travel between the two).
- Meeting point: Will be shared with confirmed participants (typically a central, easily reachable spot in/near Phyang on Day 1).
- Arrival: Most participants fly into Leh. From Leh, Phyang is roughly 15–20 km; Likir is further along the same general direction. Shared taxis or private vehicles are common.
- Accommodation: Not included in the fee. Homestays, guesthouses, and simple hotels are available in/near Phyang and Likir; recommendations can be shared after registration.
- Fee: ₹3500 per person (includes refreshments during the workshop sessions). Meals and stay are extra.
- What to bring:
- Camera of any kind (phone is fine) + spare batteries / power bank
- Comfortable walking shoes and layers (mornings/evenings can be cold even in early September)
- Notebook and pen
- Sun protection, water bottle, basic personal medicines
- Any previous photographs you may want to discuss (optional)
- Altitude & health: Phyang and Likir sit at significant altitude. Arrive in Leh at least 1–2 days earlier if possible to acclimatise. Consult a doctor if you have respiratory or heart conditions. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
- Group size: Kept intimate so that individual feedback is possible (exact number will be confirmed closer to the date).
- Language: Primarily English; Hindi also works.
Application & Contact
- Clear “Apply Here” button linking to a simple Google Form or AVFI application page.
- Required fields: Name, email, phone/WhatsApp, short note on why you want to join (3–5 lines), camera experience level, any dietary or accessibility needs.
- Selection: Open registration until seats fill; first-come or light review of the motivation note.
- Payment: Details (UPI / bank transfer / other) shared after application is accepted. Full payment confirms the seat.
- Cancellation policy: State clearly (e.g., full refund minus admin fee up to 15 days before, 50% thereafter, or transferable to another AVFI workshop).
- Contact for queries: Dedicated email (e.g. filminstitute@auroville.org.in)
+91 7738350506 (WhatsApp number of the coordinator. Response within 24–48 hours.)
FAQ
- Do I need professional camera equipment? No. Phone or any camera is fine. The focus is on observation, selection, and sequencing.
- Is this suitable for complete beginners? Yes, as long as you are curious and willing to look carefully and share work.
- Will we receive a certificate? Yes, a e-certificate of participation from Auroville Film Institute.
- What if the weather is bad? Sessions adapt; indoor image discussions and editing continue. Field time is adjusted.
- Is accommodation arranged? No, but recommendations and possible group rates can be shared.
- Can I join only one day? Preferably both days, as the workshop is designed as a continuous experience.
- Is the fee refundable? See cancellation policy above.
- What language is the workshop in? English (Hindi support available).
- How physically demanding is it? Moderate walking on uneven ground at altitude. Not a trek, but reasonable fitness helps.
- Will my images be used by AVFI? Only proper credit.