Jonas Bendiksen: Curiosity in Practice

Across 18 in-depth lessons, award-winning photographer Jonas Bendiksen imparts the vital lessons learned over a 20+ year career

Delving into a wide range of subjects, Bendiksen explores the inspiration found in a restless attitude to making photographs—as well as the nitty-gritty details of the craft, and shares valuable insights and advice on generating ideas, storytelling techniques, and developing long-term documentary projects. Spanning more than six and a half hours of material, the photographer unpacks his experiences making his critically acclaimed long-form personal projects, and invites students behind the curtain of his practice, sharing demonstrations on editing workflows and proposal writing, as well as providing a host of practical advice on everything from working in the field to the steps involved in creating a photobook.

GIVE AS A GIFT Add to cart - $99
© Jonas Bendiksen

18 Lessons

Through 18 lessons, the acclaimed photographer explores the inspiration found in a restless attitude to making photographs—as well as the nitty-gritty details of the craft

Over 6+ Hours

In-depth lessons packed full of advice and insights on generating ideas, storytelling techniques, developing long-term documentary projects and much more

Practical Advice

Step-by-step, nuts-and-bolts demonstrations on his editing workflow and his guide on proposal writing, plus see the photographer working in the field

Course Introduction

Jonas Bendiksen offers an overview his course.

What you'll learn

Generating ideas

How do you generate great ideas? Bendiksen explores what makes a successful idea, offering insight into his process and his own insecurities

Building photographic projects

Known for his long-term projects, often working with people and communities, Bendiksen breaks down his process of developing major bodies of work

Advice from the field

Follow the Magnum photographer as he looks for interesting subject matter in his local area, and shares practical tips and tricks for working in the field

Being a working photographer

Bendiksen shares at length his insights on being a ‘working photographer’—offering practical advice around assignments, including how to pitch to publications

Bendiksen's 'practical corner'

The photographer shares step-by-step, nuts-and-bolts demonstrations on his editing workflow, how he writes proposals, and other essential tips and tricks

Creating a photobook

Bendiksen unpacks the decision-making behind his celebrated publications, covering editing, sequencing, and design decisions

About your tutor

Jonas Bendiksen was born in Norway in 1977. He began his career at the age of 19 as an intern at Magnum’s London office, before leaving for Russia to pursue his own work as a photojournalist. Over the several years he spent there, Bendiksen photographed stories from the fringes of the former Soviet Union, a project that was published as the book Satellites (2006). Bendiksen has made major bodies of work all over the world, while also photographing the daily rhythms of life at home. As well as many critically acclaimed long-form projects he has also produced significant work for many commercial and editorial clients, including National Geographic, Stern, TIME, Newsweek, The Sunday Times Magazine, and The Guardian Weekend. Bendiksen became a nominee member of Magnum Photos in 2004 and a full member in 2008.

© Arnfinn Johnsen, 2017

Give the gift of learning. Our courses are packed with advice and insight to inspire any photographer.

GIVE AS A GIFT Add to cart - $99
Stay in touch
Monthly updates on the latest assignments, photographer projects and collaborations with brands.
Know when our quarterly 7-day square print sale is coming.
Learn about online and offline exhibitions, photography fairs, gallery events, plus fine print news and activities, on a monthly basis.
Get fortnightly tips and advice articles, find out about the latest workshops, free online events and on-demand courses.
Be the first to know about recent Magnum Shop drops. From new books and limited editions, to special offers, you can find it all on the weekly Magnum Shop newsletter.
Stay up to date every Thursday with Magnum photographers’ activities, new work, stories published on the Magnum website, and the latest offerings from our shop.