Award-winning photographer Ian Teh will guide participants through the process of developing long-form documentary projects with depth, clarity, and purpose. Drawing from over two decades of experience working on complex environmental and social issues, Ian will share his approach to crafting visual narratives that are both emotionally resonant and ethically grounded.
Participants will learn how to:
- Build a cohesive, long-term body of work that reflects sustained engagement and intention
- Translate abstract or systemic issues—such as climate change, industrialization, or displacement—into compelling visual stories
- Develop a personal narrative structure and visual language that supports the subject matter
- Edit, sequence, and build a story with impact and coherence
- Understand the basics of grant writing, project proposals, and effectively presenting work to institutions, publications, or exhibitions
The workshop will support photographers who are interested in moving beyond single assignments or short-term stories into more immersive, long-term work. Whether you’re just beginning a new project or refining an existing one, this is an opportunity to deepen your storytelling practice with the guidance of one of the most respected voices in contemporary documentary photography.
ABOUT THE MENTOR
Ian Teh is an award-winning documentary photographer whose work explores environmental degradation and the social costs of development. Motivated by a deep concern for ecological and humanitarian issues, he uses photography to investigate the dreams and sacrifices behind rapid urbanisation and industrial growth. Teh has published three books: Undercurrents, Traces, and Confluence. His work is in the collections of LACMA, MFA Houston, and the Hood Museum. A National Geographic Explorer, in 2023, he was awarded a grant for his project, The Line of Least Resistance.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
- Schedule: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
- Venue: Ruang Kaca Planetarium, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Central Jakarta.
- Number of participants: 12
- Language: English
- The workshop is free of charge, but the participants are responsible for their own accomodation and transportation if selected.
- The workshop will be conducted in English
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
- The program welcomes participants of any nationalities
- Participants must be at least 17 years old
- Participants have a background in photography or journalism (students of these fields are welcomed)
- Have a working portfolio or a body of work
- JIPFest program manager will be in touch with you prior to the workshop to inform the logistics
REGISTRATION
- Fill up the application form by latest 18 August
- Notification of the selected applicants: 24 August
- Workshop: 16 September
If you need further info on the workshop or travel suggestions for overseas participants, please contact Irene at program@jipfest.com or +62 812-1207-9119 (WhatsApp only).