Peter Turnley

Testimonials
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"My week in Havana with Peter Turnley was extraordinary. Unforgettable. Magical. Peter's passion for photography, for the people of Cuba and for capturing and savoring every gifted moment will stay with me forever. The lessons will linger, many of which I am sure have yet to surface. He sees moments before they happen, then he becomes part of the moment. The camera is secondary. And he teaches this by living it before our eyes. A transforming experience. And I will certainly return to Cuba...with Peter."

– Virgil DiBiase

"Peter Turnley runs an eye-opening, spiritual boot camp of a workshop. Participants were instantly focused on their goals as Peter demanded, in the softest way, that each student fully engage in their work and in experiencing Istanbul and its’ people over the next seven days. Extensive shooting time, photo reviewing and intense discussions were augmented by exposure to the work of a number of iconic photographers. Personal contact with Peter, the deeply passionate, Jason Eskanazi, and the charmingly flirtatious Turkish legend, Ara Guler, added another layer to the experience. Peter has a reverence for his craft and for the people he photographs that is infectious. I am astounded by the pictures I took during the workshop and would encourage anyone interested in pushing themselves toward a higher plane of photography to experience a Peter Turnley workshop."

– Tracy Farrell

"I highly recommend Peter Turnley’s workshops. I have been a student of Peter during the workshop “Rio-Carnival” in February, 2012.

For me it was an amazing experience and the results have clearly exceeded my expectations. Peter has a wonderful rapport with people of all levels and skills, especially for more ambitious photographers. His ability to connect with his students and his talent at teaching simple concepts, as well as more advanced topics, are both truly superior. He has excellent verbal communication skills, is extremely organized, reliable and experienced. Peter accomplishes his tasks with great initiative and with a very positive attitude.

I recommend Peter’s workshops to you without reservation. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me."

– Markus Lichtenstein

"Captivated by Cuba during my first trip there, I returned two months later with Peter Turnley for a week of street photography. Peter's program was professionally run from start to finish; organization and opportunity abounded. The limited number of participants and daily critiques that helped each of us hone our photographic skills, are a major factor in the success of these trips. In addition to preselected venues for group trips, we also had excellent, enthusiastic, well informed local photographer-guides available to individuals or small groups as well as plenty of time for independent shooting on the streets of Havana. Arrangements in this region are often fluid at best, but when changes had to be made, Peter and our guides reacted nimbly and kept us working. It was a satisfying experience - I can't wait to go back!"

– Polly Crongeyer

"I have had the rare privilege of attending two Peter Turnley workshops, Paris and New York. Peter really is a citizen of both cities and moves comfortably in both worlds. In one sense, that's no big deal. He speaks excellent French, for example. But more importantly he has deep affinities with, nay-rare insights to these unparalleled environments. On the one hand, he was at Ground Zero hours after the 9/11 attacks. On the other, he has made a 35-year photographic study of kissing in Paris. What range!

There are several essential components to a Peter Turnley workshop: guidance on shooting; face-to-face meetings with major figures in the photographic world; meaningful interaction with colleagues facing the same challenges; encounters with some of the greatest photographic work of the latter 20th century; and frequent review of ongoing work.

Above all, I will cherish the intellectual and personal camaraderie. In Paris, time and time again, the workshop participants all said that the experience was transformational. I have also never met a more capable, insightful and constructive photo editor than Peter. Beyond that, he is a fabulous storyteller. Quite simply, no one has contributed more to my development as a photographer than Peter."

– Donald Wallace

"I believe that any photographer, with an interest in people, will find “The Streets of Paris” workshop with Peter Turnley transformative. I certainly did. The workshop is a total emersion in street photography split between discussion, editing and evaluation, and shooting. And because the spring light in Paris lasts from 6AM to past 9PM, there is lots of shooting. The workshop focuses on technique and strategy rather than the technical aspects of photography. Peter helps the students individually learn to develop a story in a picture and how to integrate these individual stories into a greater whole. He helps the student find and develop their vision in the context of the Paris experience. There are two driving forces that make this workshop experience so powerful. One is the context of Paris itself- where, it can be argued, street photography was invented. The workshop discussions are held in Peter’s rooftop apartment overlooking the streets of Paris– a warm, informal, yet stimulating environment to discuss and edit your work. The students are introduced to individuals who have shaped photography. In our workshop we met the printer Voya Mitrovic that brought the images of the great photographers– from HCB to Peter Turnley– to substantive reality. We met with a woman whose gallery helped bring the work of these photographers to the public. We met with John Morris in his home– the editor that, from WWII to relatively recently, selected the images that shaped our understanding of the world. And we met with Peter’s friends in a local brasserie– the site where several of his famous Paris photos were made. The other, and most important force, is Peter himself. This warm, supportive individual shares not only his experiences and insights but because of his concern for each individual, helps them develop their vision and recognize their creative seeds. One of Peter’s points is that photography is all about sharing. The workshop is successful because he helps us learn to share a vision by sharing his gifts with us."

– V.A. Fried

"If you want to stretch yourself as a photographer, learn from a true master, and have a unique and thrilling photographic experience, take a workshop with Peter Turnley.

He is inspiring, supportive and generous with his time and knowledge. He strips away some of the technical complexities so that the focus is on making powerful, moving images. Going through the editing process with him is a terrific learning experience in and of itself. I would take any of his workshops in a heartbeat and recommend him unequivocally."

– Janice Stanton

"Peter Turnley's photographic journeys begin as breezy walks through storied streets. As we turn the first corners, the conversation moves deeper, more thoughtful and reflective than we imagined. Turnley isn't pushing anyone; he's challenging everyone. A series of in-depth sessions with outstanding members of the photographic community inject new ideas and a better understanding of their origins. The all important technical details we envisaged dissolve in a realignment of priorities more elemental, emotional and, above all, human. There is almost as much philosophy as photography here to absorb and appreciate. Last fall, we spent ten days with Peter Turnley in Paris and can fairly say we've never felt the same when lifting up our camera and pointing it at the world."

– Jim Clancy, Anchor/Journalist-CNN

"A destination workshop with Peter is like parachuting into an unfamiliar culture with your camera and experiencing it from the outside in. Be prepared to skip the museums and most of the touristic sights unless they figure in your photographic work as background--they make more sense anyway after a week of direct interactions with the people and sounds and smells of the life ebbing and flowing before your lens on the streets.

If Istanbul in June was a thrilling and exotic cultural and photographic experience, then participating in the Durga Pooja in October in Kolkata behind the lens of camera was mind-bending , and for me, worldview altering. Peter made sure we were comfortable and confident shooting the unfamiliar, and encouraged our unique visions from the framework of his impressive photojournalistic sensibility. I came away from both workshops amazed by the experiences, my colleagues, and my images.

– Stephen Murphy

"Seville...2010... Easter, Semana Santa and Europe s largest cathedral bring thousands to this small beautiful city. April weather is perfect and you can stay outside 24 hours a day. Activity is non stop so your biggest challenge will be picking which processions to follow and maybe finding your way through the cobble stone streets in Old Town.

During Semana Santa I saw a pride in family and a willingness to allow photography that is unusual in some cities. It’s refreshing to see families enjoying traditional values together and sharing to such an extent.

I really enjoyed losing myself in the activity and being surprised by the next great photo opportunity.

Rather than just showing you his images, Peter works to help you understand your work. Each day he goes thru every image you take helping you select the photographs that work. As you begin to build a theme, you create, with his support, a collection of images that you will be proud to show. He brings out your best… what could be more fun than that?

I would encourage anyone considering a workshop to look at the work produced by the participants. What most impressive is to see the amount of improvement possible with the right coach. In my first workshop with Peter, I changed my whole approach to photographing people and my outlook on photography. Now I believe I get it for the first time.

– Roger Dunham

“I attended Peter Turnley's workshop "Streets of New York" in October 2010. It was a very pleasant experience. It was challenging, inspiring, mental therapy and hard work at the same time. Peter is a very benevolent and attentive person, which makes attending even more joyful. I give my warmest recommendations to Peter's workshops, and will encourage everyone to take the challenge.”

– Hanne Paludan Kristensen

"Peter Turnley’s street photography course is a game-changing experience. It is a real workshop, with the emphasis on the first syllable. Hard on the eyes, the brain and, especially, the feet. But it is well worth every step and every penny. Working with Peter for a week in a small group (including many one-on-ones, lectures, gallery visits -- and much trekking around alone, shooting) taught me a lot about photographing people. Among other things, the course got me over many of the intimidation factors… encouraged me to see differently through the lens… and helped me to think more creatively about the edges of the frame. The overall experience was materially enhanced by the compatibility and camaraderie of the extraordinary group of supportive and talented students. Bravo, Peter!"

– Allan Gardner

"Prague/Budapest... I attended my first workshop with Peter in 2007. The location and weather could not be better for serious photography. Both cities are at there peaks in October and activity in the Old Town is right at the steps of your hotel. No shortage of great subject matter. The group train ride between the two cities takes you through a country side that’s quite different from the two cities and tends to bring a different perspective on the two countries. I also really enjoyed meeting with some wonderful local photographers and seeing their prints."

– Roger Dunham

"I have studied with Peter Turnley for several years now, and want to share some of my impressions of his workshops. I had the opportunity to join Turnley in Paris (three times, and I plan to return for a fourth workshop), New York, Venice and Seville. These experiences have transformed and deepened my artistic vision while introducing me to the excitement of street photography.

What makes these courses special? First, spending quality time with one of the most talented photojournalists of our generation. Second, learning that photography is a way to understand the richness and variety of human experience. If you are open to the possibilities, you leave one of Turnley’s workshops a different person, your passion for photography renewed.

Turnley gives each student lavish individual attention, critiquing his or her images by emphasizing what works, and encouraging them to build on their strengths. He offers any necessary technical help, but insists that the technology be subordinate to the art. Workshops are small, well organized, and always include opportunities to meet with interesting local photographers, attend shows, and visit museums.

I have been a serious photographer for fourteen years, and these workshops top any study I have done.

– Elinor Constable, United States Ambassador (retired)

"During the Paris workshop, Peter Turnley challenged the students to tell a story rather than simply make good photographs. This really caused me to see Parisians differently. Having a world-class photojournalist edit my work was invaluable. His knowledge of the city and its culture, the experts who he arranged to meet with us and the generosity with which he openly shared a career full of amazing adventures made for a very satisfying educational experience through which I produced my very best work ever. And then, of course, there was Paris…"

– Paul Kyba, British Columbia

ISTANBUL – 2009

"Very simply, Peter and his workshop were outstanding. Clearly, Peter has great talent beyond photography – he is an excellent communicator, well organized and committed to having his students push themselves to grow. His combined use of critiques, visual presentations, local photographers and group photo sessions made for a broad and lively learning experience. He really put his heart and soul into making his workshop meaningful and rewarding for the participants. He is a sensitive and experienced person who through his style of teaching successfully shared with us his vast international and cultural experiences in an informative and educational manner. His knowledge of world history over the last 30 years is remarkable, especially as it relates to conflict.

While I had/have no intention of becoming a “photojournalist”, I know I came away from the workshop as a better “photographer.” Peter helped me expand the way I see things, as well as helped me broaden my skills in capturing the spirit and emotion of the moment. He is a terrific teacher…"

– Wink Willet

"Peter Turnley taught me to look through the camera with an open heart and find the poetry. Generously allowing us to observe him working with subjects on the Parisian streets, patiently addressing our concerns and obstacles with this process of photography, and enthusiastically cheering on our successes inspired the confidence necessary for me to begin telling my stories with street photography. His warm rapport and introduction to distinguished members of the photographic community peeled back another layer of Paris and made me fall in love with the city all over again. If you come with a willingness to enter the contract he proposes, he will bring your photography to an unexpected new level. I would jump to take another workshop with Peter."

– Erin Beth Reidy

“Peter Turnley has the extraordinary ability to transfer his extensive knowledge and his sincere feelings to the members of a street photography group in a manner that makes each one a better photographer and a better person.”

– Elaine Kirchen

PARIS – SPRING, 2010

"Over the years I have had many teachers; Peter Turnley ranks among the best. His approach to visual storytelling really shines in this small group format. His intent is genuine. His passion is palpable. By the end of the week I had a real sense of connection with my story, my images, the world around me and the community to which I belong. Peter has inspired my vision and encouraged my career. A great debt is owed to those who help us see and an even greater to those who help us feel. It’s Monday and I have returned to my day job, but my thoughts are in Paris."

– Eric A. Strauss MD

“I had prepared for your workshop, by telling myself to go along with whatever suggestions, you would come up with, to improve working with The image and with people. Having been a professional photographer for nearly 20 years, I also knew where my strong and where my weak spots were. So attending your workshop was indeed a great experience of being constantly reminded of things I might well have known, but as time goes by, I had lost focus on during a slow oxygen fatigue in my creativity. It sharpened my focus to see all your great photos as well as the photos from the old masters and I could suddenly see the track again. It made good sense. The visual examples of narration in stills also gave me meaningful recollections and blew life to my inner storyteller. For me it worked perfectly the way you gave us simple tricks to get a grip of the situation when you approach strangers on the street. I understood the comparison very much with sports. Before your workshop, I’ve only done street photography when I needed the photo for a job situation but now I have fun and a lot of confidence when doing it. So this is why you easily can teach others of your kind, other photographers, a lot. You dig deep into our common memory and remind us what we want as photographers, why we do what we do. Somehow we have to confront ourselves with a few serious and maybe even personal questions during such an intense week - there were certainly elements of taking a psychology class underneath the photography! Maybe you didn’t intend it that way, but I am sure you also noticed the small struggles we all had in our common quest to find our own personal path leading to narrative pictures. The best thing is that the search never ends and it’s an ongoing and healthy process.”

– Heidi Lundsgaard

PARIS – SPRING, 2011

“Peter’s workshop enriched my photography on several levels. His requirements that we use a single wide angle lens, watch the edges of the frame, move like a “mosquito,” look for energy, and look for images with stories were liberating and challenging. His daily selections of my and my workshop peers images taught me a great deal about how to improve the work. His ability to find the unifying thread in our work over the week showed us how to look for what often moves us unconsciously. And hearing Voya Mitrovic, John Morris, Agathe Gaillard, and about Peter’s own career was inspirational. But, most importantly, Peter is a lovely and warm person who connects to his students in ways that reach beyond photography.”

– David Elesh

“As a working pro overwhelmed with the changes in the business of the past few years, I needed something to remind me why I started a career in photography in the first place. Peter's workshop in Calcutta was just what I needed. With his encouragement, I truly feel like I managed to rediscover a part of my photography I had forgotten. As well, witnessing first hand Peter's passion and drive to capture life on the streets of Calcutta was just so inspiring, and managed to rekindle my passion for photography.”

– Ian McCausland

"It was such a great pleasure to meet you and participate in the Streets of Paris workshop. I learned so much! The time spent with you during the one-on-one edit sessions was especially valuable. Without doubt, my experience in your workshop has added a whole new, exciting dimension to my photography. Another aspect of the workshop that I really enjoyed was our visit to Agathe's gallery, the Toros lab, La Maison Europeene de la Photographie, and visiting with John. You don't generally find such 'cultural' components in a photography workshop, but for me, these experiences just made your workshop that much better."

– Tom Cassen

"I took the workshop in part because I currently reside in Istanbul and also my appreciation of Peter's work, especially: "America in Black and white" and "The Other California", as they remind me of the book "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" by James Agee and Walker Evens; from that I know Peter had "got down into it" in a similar manner. I knew I could learn a few thing from him. And I did.

I appreciated the small group size and the varying photographic experience of the attendees, and how easy Peter helped you to fit in. I was motivated to move beyond my limits shooting for extended periods each day, even while commuting back and forth. Beyond my expectations Peter managed to bring two acclaimed photojournalists; Andrea Bruce associated with the Washington post and Jason Eskenazi who did the book “Wonderland: A Fairy Tale of the Soviet Monolith” to talk about their photography. The class diners together and viewing each others photos through out lent a collegial atmosphere to our time together.

Finally, I learned from the challenge of culling out of a large volume of Istanbul shots just fifteen photos that fit into a theme expressing the people and surroundings of the city. It is only now a week later when I look at my final gallery that I can fully appreciate Peter's eye for editing as I encounter aspects of each image that hadn't been apparent at first.

If the God's were to shine favorably upon it, as with this one, I would would do another one in some future exotic destination."

– Richard Weathered

"I had taken Peter Turnley's The Streets of Paris workshop, so I thought I knew what to expect from his New York Street Photography workshop. I was only partly right. Each city offers unique photographic resources and opportunities. New York's architecture, public spaces, people, pace, and light are different enough to demand different approaches, and Peter knows how to make the most these qualities. With his encouragement, I tried different techniques than I used in Paris, and I'm very happy with the results. I can say without a doubt that I grew significantly as a photographer as a result of this second workshop. As a teacher, Peter shows great respect for his students' individuality and encourages them to stretch and grow as artists. The workshop featured lectures and shared images by Peter and guest artists, visits to galleries and museums, on-the-street shooting--with Peter and alone--and opportunities to socialize with other enthusiastic photographers of varied skill levels and experience. One of the most helpful experiences was watching Peter work a street scene: watching him photograph and relate to, relate to and photograph, strangers. He makes what seemed difficult or even impossible for some students very doable--that is, taking pictures of people they don't know. I think it's safe to say that we all produced strong pictures we would not have attempted before. Overall, an exhilarating and unforgettable week!"

– Larry E. Fink Abilene, TX

"The Streets of Paris workshop with Peter Turnley exceeded my expectations. I learned new technical skills and approaches and produced pictures that surprise me. I met and learned from legendary figures responsible for the stature of street photography in the art world today. And I began warm friendships with interesting fellow students from several continents. Peter's passion for this art form and his personal relationships with its greatest practitioners make him a priceless resource for any serious admirer of traditional street photography. His sensitive, caring spirit and gifts as a teacher made this a memorable and intense week. He took the time to get to know his students' strengths and goals as photographers, but also as human beings. In the tradition of his friend, the late Robert Doisneau, Peter loves people and encourages students to portray them with dignity and respect. At the same time, he pushes students to kindly interact with strangers as they describe their observations of the human condition in images. And he offers specific instruction as to how to do this. We also had several opportunities to watch Peter shoot and relate to strangers on the street. In sum, this workshop was a challenging , rewarding, often moving experience--a must for the student of street photography's Paris heritage."

– Larry E. Fink Abilene, TX

“As a newcomer to the modern world of photography, I admit to having a few apprehensions before our first workshop meeting. Peter's introductory remarks wiped those apprehensions right off the page! His encouragement and down-to-earth teaching style gave me all the tools I needed to confidently hit the streets of Istanbul and engage with people.

Before arriving in Istanbul, I read books and studied the work of most of the photographers recommended by Peter. That helped and inspired, but not nearly as much as seeing his work and hearing his stories. Peter revealed the heart behind the photos, which in turn touched my heart and gives inspiration to continue digging deeper and to use my camera boldly.

Peter, you are a remarkable photographer, but even more so a remarkable man. Thank you for sharing your time, heart, and talent with all of us. I look forward to attending more workshops in the future.”

– Cathy Sweeney, Bethesda, MD