Overview

This rare opportunity is a comprehensive master class taught by veteran National Geographic photographer Gerd Ludwig, geared toward professional and dedicated amateur photographers who want to take their craft to the next level and do so by creating visual stories on themes explored in the rich tableaux that the City of Nagasaki has to offer.

Focusing on the aesthetic, technical, and logistical aspects of developing photographic storytelling with a personal vision, the masterclass is divided into two sections:

To maximize time in the field, Section One begins about ten days before departing for Japan with three online sessions. It kicks off with a day of portfolio reviews, followed by two days of theory and instructions.

Section Two takes place on the ground in Japan, where participants will photograph a subject of their choice over nine days. During this period, Gerd will check in regularly and occasionally join participants in the field. Editing days will be interspersed, with Gerd providing hands-on guidance through the selection and refinement process.

The final day and a half will focus on culling, toning, and sequencing images, culminating in a joint presentation of the completed stories to conclude the masterclass.

In this master class, out of deference to a variety of budgets, we are offering two different plans: a full-service option with hotels and domestic flights arranged and a self-service option where only the class itself is included and participants can make their own travel and hotel arrangements.

Class size:

Minimum of 6 participants. Limited to 8 participants.

IMAGES of nagasaki

Nagasaki is a coastal city on the island of Kyushu, Japan, known for its historical significance as a center of international trade and its role in World War II. During the Edo period (1603–1868), it was one of the few ports open to foreign commerce, fostering cultural exchanges with Dutch and Chinese merchants. Its Catholic churches and history of persecuted Christians going into hiding is designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The influence of Europe and China is still visible in the city's variety of architecture, cuisine, and traditions. Battleship Island, a now abandoned coal mine lies just offshore and also is a World Heritage Site, noted for its vital role in shaping the industrial modernization of Japan. Of course, Nagasaki is also remembered as the site of the second atomic bombing on August 9, 1945, an event commemorated at the Nagasaki Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Today, the city is a blend of historical landmarks, scenic coastal landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage, featuring sites such as Glover Garden, Dejima, and the iconic Megane Bridge.

HOW IT WORKS

Students will have the opportunity to develop a feasible, well-researched story or project idea prior to the start of the masterclass. This idea should be a subject the student is passionate about and intends to focus on throughout the workshop. Alternatively, George and Gerd will provide a selection of compelling subjects from which participants can choose.

In the field, both students and the instructor are expected to maintain a high degree of flexibility to adapt to unfolding events and dynamic conditions on the ground. To get the most out of this masterclass participants should be prepared to allocate shooting time during early mornings or late at night depending on their assignment.

SCHEDULE ONLINE (DATES TO BE DECIDED)

SESSION 1 - Gerd will convene with the participants via Zoom for joint portfolio reviews

• Participation: everyone

• Approx. 5 - 6 hours

SESSION 2 - Exploring the techniques of storytelling

Gerd will outline the structural elements and differences between a reportage, series and essay, and share his personal approaches when photographing stories for NatGeo and other publications, accompanied by various presentations.

Approx. 6 - 7 hours, with a 1hr lunch break

SESSION 3 - Continuing exploration the techniques of storytelling

Gerd will continue to outline the structural elements and differences between a reportage, series and essay, and share approaches by a variety of internationally renowned photographers, as well as work samples of previous participants.

Introduction to Nagasaki by George Nobechi

Session 3 combined is approx. 6 - 7 hours, with a 1hr lunch break

schedule in japan

WHAT ELSE IS COVERED

Gerd will emphasize the process of finding and researching subjects, photographing people in an intimate manner, creating images that communicate emotionally as well as editorially, and employing aesthetics with sophistication. Masterclass participants will be encouraged to take professional risks to produce high-quality work suitable for publication, contest entries, or gallery submissions.

Technical discussions will focus on using photographic tools in real-world scenarios to capture atmosphere and mood while maintaining a sense of place; approaching subjects and establishing trust to photograph people authentically; using form, lighting, and color to convey emotion; balancing a personal point of view with respect for a subject’s circumstances; and applying focused editing to reveal a story’s essential truth. Gerd will share his own photographic techniques, including his choice of cameras, lenses, and lighting. He will explain how his ability to capture high-quality images in very low light using strobe techniques has enabled him to tackle stories for National Geographic Magazine that were previously impossible to explore, such as Moscow Never Sleeps, Chernobyl, Russian Orthodox Church, and Sleeping Cars.

Gerd will also discuss how to expand short assignments into long-term personal projects using fundraising strategies. As a pioneer in crowdfunding, he has successfully launched three Kickstarter campaigns, funding two trips to Chernobyl and the publication of his award-winning 20-year retrospective book, The Long Shadow of Chernobyl. With over 350,000 followers on Instagram, Gerd is a valuable resource for planning, analyzing, and publishing your content through social networks.

PACKAGE OPTIONS

“LITE” PLAN

• First night dinner in Tokyo, second night dinner in Nagasaki; last night dinner in Nagasaki

• Three lunch vouchers to be used at your discretion

• All class activities with Gerd

• Nagasaki guided orientation, including boat fares, Battleship Island shore fees, museum fees, etc. on the first two days in Nagasaki

• Support from Nobechi Creative staff

• Information package on travel to Japan

• Class Itinerary

“FULL SERVICE” PLAN

• Everything in the “Lite” Plan plus:

• 11 Nights’ Hotel Accommodations at a spacious, centrally located 4-star hotel in Nagasaki

• 1 Night Hotel Accommodations on the front-end in Tokyo

• Breakfast everyday

Not included

• International Airfare

• Travel Insurance (required unless a signed additional waiver is submitted)

• Hotel in Tokyo at the conclusion of the workshop - please inform the Nobechi Creative Travel team if you require hotel arrangements

• Meals not mentioned above

• Admissions to venues when you are working on your respective projects

• Airport Transfers

• Medical expenses

• Alcohol

• Personal expenses for snacks and beverages at convenience stores (e.g. 7-Eleven, Lawson) or supermarkets

Tuition

• LITE PLAN (No hotels or domestic flights included - please make your own arrangements): $7,550 per person when paying by bank wire. (+$265 to pay by credit card)

• FULL SERVICE PLAN (Hotels in Tokyo and Nagasaki included, as well as airfare between Tokyo and Nagasaki.: $9,350 per person, double occupancy intended for couples sharing a queen bed. (+$325 to pay by credit card)

  Single supplement: $1,000 on top of the FULL SERVICE PLAN.

  For friends wanting to share a twin room instead - please email us for pricing (availability not guaranteed)

Payment schedule

• $2,500 deposit per person due upon registration (the deposit portion is exempt from credit card fees)

• When there are 6 registrants half of the remaining balance is due

• The full remaining balance is due 90 days before the start of the workshop

2025 Cancellation Policy:

• Up to 120 days before the trip: 50% of the deposit

• 119~90 days prior to the trip: 100% of the deposit

• 89~60 days prior to the trip: 50% fee

• 59~0 days prior to the trip 100% fee

  Please do not book international travel until we have officially confirmed that the trip will proceed (minimum 6)

  *Travel insurance is required unless a waiver release is signed.

In 2014, Edition Lammerhuber released Gerd Ludwig’s trilingual photo book The Long Shadow of Chernobyl, based on 20 years of documenting the aftermath of the disaster—reporting that is widely regarded as a milestone in modern photojournalism. Lammerhuber also published Ludwig’s monographs Sleeping Cars in 2016 and BEUYS LAND in 2024. 

Ludwig is the recipient of the Lucie Award for International Photographer of the Year in 2006, the 2014 Dr. Erich-Salomon Award from the German Society for Photography (DGPh) and the Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism in 2015. 

He exhibits in museums, galleries and festivals such as the Perpignan Visa pour L’Image and the Natural History Museum in Vienna, Austria, lectures at universities and conducts workshops internationally.

Gerd Ludwig lives and works in Los Angeles.

testimonials from gerd’s online master classes with us

“The impact of the class is long-lasting and its impact is felt even more keenly over time. Gerd is a tremendous instructor, incredibly skillful photographer, and master storyteller. I learned so much from Gerd about how to create a compelling narrative to support my photography and how to view my work with a more discerning eye. Working with him one-on-one to sort my images into a cohesive narrative while varying perspective, color, subject, and focal length was a remarkable experience. Nobody wants you to succeed as a storyteller and photographer more than Gerd, and he puts his exceptional thoughtfulness and his time into helping you in this class.”

-Gillian

“I thought the class was fantastic. Gerd is a master storyteller; it is amazing learning from the best.  Yes, a bit intimidating, but he worked with all of us students where we were, technically, compositionally, and in how we told a story. I was a novice.  I was challenged to improve each shot compositionally, and then learned what it takes to weave a great story. Gerd is one of my teachers who is always ‘in my head’ when I am framing a shot.  This is a class that will improve all levels of photographers. I will take the class again someday, and will be challenged at different levels than I was the first time. ”

– Dana

Additional Testimonials from Gerd’s past workshops

I learned more about photography in 5 days with Gerd Ludwig than I have over the past 10 years of trying to teach myself.
– Taylor Turner, photographer & videographer

Gerd demanded much but in return gave us his all, as did his assistant, Molly. He was a tough task master (with a terrific sense of humor, thankfully!) who was very generous with his knowledge. He is equally genuine with his compliments and his criticism. He pushed each of us a notch or two beyond where we, as photographers, had been before we met him.
– Tamar Granovsky, photographer

It was an incredible opportunity for me to learn from National Geographic photographer Gerd Ludwig. With his personal instruction he taught me to see the emotional side of a photo, taking my passion for photography to a new level. His vision opened my eyes to a different perspective of the world.
– Steffi Graff, tennis champion

Of all the workshops I’ve taken, the one that made the biggest impact on me was a two day workshop with Gerd at the Salton Sea. I’ll never forget being dropped off by myself in Niland with only 45 minutes to take an environmental portrait of a total stranger in their home. I had never done anything like that before; but Gerd had taken the time to share his own stories and offer advice about approaching sensitive situations as a photographer. I ended up meeting and photographing a wonderful family. He pushed each student beyond their comfort zones as photographers. It was an invaluable lesson.
– Robert Larson, photographer

Organizing ten years’ worth of materials for a long-term project, Gerd helped me make better choices in the edit and achieve more clarity in the book design. I appreciate his rigor and candor, while helping ensure that my photos found their best presentation. It’s rare to find a teacher who balances trenchant criticism with unwavering support for your work and your vision. Gerd is a great critic and advocate.
– Preston Merchant, Adjunct Professor, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism