PHIL PENMAN: Tokyo Street Photography Masterclass

 December 1st - 4th 2026

Experience the electric energy of Tokyo through the lens of world-renowned street photographer Phil Penman. This exclusive four-day masterclass is designed to take you beyond the "tourist shot" and into the heart of visual storytelling. From the neon-soaked alleys of Shinjuku to the timeless morning light in Asakusa, you will learn to capture the soul of one of the world's most cinematic cities.

Why This Workshop?

This isn't just a photowalk; it’s an intensive deep dive into the craft. With a strict limit of only 8 participants, you are guaranteed significant one-to-one time with Phil. Whether you are navigating a crowded crossing or refining a RAW file, you'll have a master by your side to provide real-time feedback and professional insight.

What You Will Master:

• The Art of Storytelling: Move past single images to create cohesive narratives that evoke emotion and a sense of place.

• Seeing the Light: Learn to "meter with your eyes." Phil will show you how to find and exploit dramatic light, shadows, and reflections—rain or shine.

• Advanced Composition: Master the geometry of the streets, learning how to layer elements to create complex, high-impact frames.

• The Edit & The Cull: Shooting is only half the battle. You’ll spend dedicated time learning how to ruthlessly cull your work and edit with a signature style that stands out.

The Experience

Expect to be challenged. We will be "chasing the light" from early morning through the blue hour, often walking 5+ miles a day to find the perfect frame. This workshop is built for those who are serious about elevating their portfolio and finding their unique photographic voice.

"Phil’s ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary is second to none. Learning his process in a city like Tokyo is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Space is extremely limited. With only 8 spots available, this workshop will fill up quickly.

SCHEDULE

DAY ONE

DAY TWO

DAY THREE

DAY FOUR

Shinjuku

8am- 12pm:    Photowalk 
12pm- 2pm:    Break/ lunch
2pm- 5pm: Editing session with personal laptops followed by group review of images

IMPORTANT NOTES

 
- Please bring warm clothing and wet weather gear in case of rain. We'll  be out there shooting, rain or shine.
 

ABOUT PHIL

 
The British-born, New York-based photographer Phil Penman has documented the ever-changing scene of New York City’s streets for more than 25 years. In his career as a news and magazine photographer, with a large body of work in such publications as The Guardian, The Independent, The New York Review of Books, among others, he has photographed major public figures and historical events. In particular, his reportage following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center has featured on NBC’s Today show, as well as on the BBC, History Channel, and Al Jazeera, and his images have been included in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s archives.
 
His work covering the pandemic lockdown in New York City has been acquired by the U.S. Library of Congress, whose collection holds work by such great Depression-era documentarians as Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange. Besides showing at Leica galleries in New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, and London, Penman’s signature street photography has appeared in international exhibitions as far afield as Venice, Berlin, and Sydney.
 
He also tours the world teaching workshops on photography for Leica Akademie. He was recently named among the “52 Most Influential Street Photographers,” alongside such legends as Henri Cartier-Bresson, Sebastião Salgado, Diane Arbus, and Garry Winogrand. Penman’s first book, Street, published in 2019, became a best-seller and was featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York