When Matt Brandon and I began to discuss the possibility of offering a photography workshop during the Thaipusam Festival in Penang, the first thing we agreed was that it should not be sensationalist. We really did not want to bring a group of photographers to Penang to simply take a series of photographs of men with pierced faces. We know that’s not the whole story and it was important to us that we gave our students the opportunity to get behind-the-scenes, to understand the background and to appreciate the wider perspective.

Frankly, it’s not difficult to stand around with a camera at the festival and snap images of people with spears, or “vels” piercing their faces but who would find that satisfying? Well, a lot of people do, apparently but, thankfully, our workshop participants were all keen to do the story justice and to show a little more respect.

Consequently, we spent time with local people, were able to appreciate their story and to understand what motivates such displays of faith and devotion. The images that emerged from the workshop have a much greater depth than those we might have produced if we had just turned up and stood on the street. Importantly, the relationships built over the course of the workshop between photographers and subject developed, without exception, into something meaningful and within a short space of time the “photographer”/”subject” distinction dissolved, revealing firm friendships between two people, one on a journey, one documenting the journey, but each sharing the experience and collaborating in a trusting way.

We didn’t chase the sensational photos, we didn’t clamour to photograph the dramatic moments, we had no need to get in anyone’s way. By the time our photographers arrived at the festival, they each had developed a relationship with the subject of their story and it was clear, watching them go about their work in a quiet and considered fashion, that each had earned the right to photograph. It made me proud to be honest and, as I said to our students on our final evening, they are leaving Penang safe in the knowledge that they haven’t “taken” photographs, they haven’t stolen anything but they have taken part in a fair exchange. What a much more satisfying manner in which to work.

For me, this type of workshop has much greater value than the “turn-up-and-shoot” photo tour and the photography almost becomes a secondary consideration. Our priorities are respect, patience, understanding and appreciation, characteristics that each of our workshop students showed in abundance. I have a small glow of inner pride this morning, like watching your kids learn to ride a bike or swim their first lap of the pool. And now they are heading off into the big, wide world and I have every confidence that their future photographic endeavours will be defined by the same respect, patience and perseverance. I’d happily photograph with any of these guys and girls again and believe me, that’s not something that I’d say about everyone.

Here are just two of my favourite stories from Thaipusam, the first is photographed edited and compiled by the talented and dedicated Tim Steadman and the second is the work of the always delightful Victoria E. Finlay.

One of the assignments we gave to students during the week was to select a piece of music, about three-minutes long, and to consider what emotions and moods the music evoked. Was it placid or vibrant, was it cheerful or melancholy? The challenge was then to photograph in a style that reflected the musical themes. It’s a way of encouraging photographers to think about more than just the subject and to consider ways in which they convey and communicate emotion. The assignment produced some enchanting slideshows and we’ve chosen just two to share with you. The first is really inventive and was skilfully created by raconteur Dave Ray and the second is the mildly chilling but wryly amusing work of Mr. Steadman again.

Thank you to our friends and sponsors at Peachpit, Phottix, X-Rite, Photoshelter, Lensbaby and Spider Holsters for providing such a great range of toys and goodies for us to distribute to our students.

Thanks also to our charming and generous hosts, Roberto and Nadia, at the Campbell House Hotel, the finest, friendliest and most elegant hotel in Penang. They made our stay enormously comfortable and provided a great location for our teaching activities. They also make a mean omelette!

There may be future workshop opportunities for you to attend if you’re very well behaved. Watch this space, subscribe to my newsletter and I may see you on a future photographic workshop.