Since 2013, when my street photographer friends introduced me to the Phuket Vegetarian Festival, I’ve returned nearly every year. Over a decade, I’ve attended at least eight times, captivated by the vibrant processions, thick smoke, and the relentless downpour of firecrackers crashing against me. Every year, the Phuket Vegetarian Festival offers something new to learn, a fresh way to view its colorful traditions.
Despite my frequent visits and growing experience, each year brings new lessons and discoveries. If not for my friends, I would never have known about the Nine Emperor celebration in the town of Phang-Nga, an equally fascinating event. (You can view the story here)
When Aik Beng approached me about conducting a Phuket Vegetarian Festival workshop, I hesitated. I worried about “what ifs”—what if no one signed up, what if I couldn’t meet expectations, what if I wasn’t prepared?
But Aik Beng reassured me, reminding me to simply share the same insights I’d given him prior to his visit to Phuket. His encouragement gave me the confidence to move forward.
In 2023, I led my first Phuket Vegetarian Festival workshop with Aik Beng, and it was an incredible experience. I not only shared my passion for photography but also formed lasting friendships. The participants captured the festival’s essence in their unique ways, making the workshop a significant milestone for me. It perfectly blended my love for photography with the joy of teaching and connecting with like-minded individuals.
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival workshop run by Victor and ABC was truly an eye-opener. The guidance of these two experienced photographers gave me the confidence to get close to the action and make photos that fit my style while still capturing the mood of the festival. This is something I definitely would have struggled with if I had attended this chaotic event on my own.
The photo review sessions with them and the other attendees (Mad and Andras) gave me a different perspective on my images and prompted me to try different approaches from what I am used to.
They also encouraged me to think about sequencing and storytelling for the zine that was eventually printed. This physical keepsake is a lovely reminder of my experience and an inspiration to keep shooting. I highly encourage any photographer to take the plunge and join this workshop.
You won’t regret it.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival Workshop 2023: Participant Showcase Featuring @ketanshahphotography
Attending this workshop was a unique experience that allowed me to capture some rare and special moments!
With the guidance of both Victor and Aik Beng, I learned in great detail how to capture the best action moments.
They reviewed each day’s work and provided valuable advice on being more daring, especially when it came to photographing the sedans amidst the millions of firecrackers.
It was truly a great opportunity to participate in this event!
Phuket Vegetarian Festival Workshop 2023: Participant Showcase Featuring Madeleen Von Weilligh @asian_story
I am new to the art and lifestyle of street photography. I feel there is so much to see, document, and share on the streets of the world every day, and I feel compelled to capture as many of those moments as I can. Coming across the opportunity to attend a hands-on workshop with such accomplished street photographers as ABC and Victor felt like the perfect way to learn how to position myself to get the best and most unique shots. They taught me how to keep things simple by using just my phone for taking pictures and even helped me understand their philosophy for choosing the best shots to represent a story I wanted to tell.
Doing all this in Phuket during the Vegetarian Festival took things to a whole different level. The sights, sounds, smells, and special moments at this wonderful event were abundant, with every day and every corner presenting new chances to see something different. The guys did a great job preparing us participants for the trip, giving us good advice on what to take with us and how to prepare. They also provided expert guidance each morning and at times during the event itself to ensure we got the most out of the experience.
They did all this with our utmost safety in mind, and their advice on preparations was spot on. Overall, it was a great experience to see and be part of a very unique cultural event, learning from some of the best street photographers in Singapore. I met new friends with a shared interest in exploring the world while having a great time in lovely Phuket.
Phuket Vegetarian Festival Workshop 2023: Participant Showcase Featuring Andras Varsanyi @varsanyiandras
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