Cuba was my third workshop with Nikos. Not only is he inspiring, patient, and always awakens joy in taking and discussing pictures, but Nikos is also a great companion and friend! Nikos to me is like a lighthouse showing the right path when being lost on the high seas – both in www.ontheroad.greloping my photographic intuition and most importantly in approaching and interacting with people. I am looking forward to be again on the road with Nikos!

Every literate can write. Not every literate can write poems or short stories. Even less of them can write meaningful or original stories. I think the same thing applies to photographers. Every person with a camera can take photos. Some can produce stories, but just a few are able to produce a meaningful and personal work.
Sometimes I joke and say that Nikos’ mission on Earth is to educate us, his participants, to become original, faithful and personal photographers. After a while, I am coming to believe that my joke was actually real. The transformation he manages from us is unreal. The photos that he choses are a caress to the eyes and soul. And this leads me to a second conclusion: Nikos is the best editor I have ever met.
Gracias, Maestro!

This was my third trip with Nikos –I believe it is called “voting with your feet”. One of the nicest parts of these courses is the chance to meet interesting and intelligent people from around the world. What is however truly amazing, is that despite the daily struggle to improve, there is no competitiveness (or at least, that was my feeling) – something that would have impossible, but for Nikos’ amazing warmth and interpersonal as well as balancing talent. What however I really relished, was the -almost linear- improvement in the quality of photos I took during the course. There is a big difference between photographing while traveling andtraveling in order to take photos. In the first case, photographing in a secondary (albeit important) part of your trip: In the heart of traveling is understanding and learning. A traveller wants to explore (and, occasionally, photograph what he sees) – while a photographer is (exclusively, obsessively) interested in producing photos. The difference is anything but academic. Meeting someone like Nikos, a person living, breathing, dreaming photography, makes the difference obvious. Like most things in life, the amount of effort correlates directly with the results. During a week in this workshop I felt that the quality of my photos improved dramatically. It is not easy to explain it: It is partly related to different day-planning (waking up early and going around during dusk to take photos), partly choosing where to go on the basis of its photographic potential, partly being constantly exposed to amazing photos from and interacting with the other participants, but most importantly, having a daily feedback and being stimulated daily by someone with a passion for photography that is still not blunted, someone who has kept his enthusiasm after all these years. The genius photographers are people that are different from the rest of us: They breath, eat, live, drink and live photography. For them photography is a demanding mistress – jealous and harsh: You cannot treat her to the second row, you cannot give her just your spare time. The trip is a light immersion (a “preview”) into this strange and wonderful world.

The workshop with Nikos, was a unique experience. He opened a new door to the world of photography for me. The tips he gave me were extremely useful and his advises clearly changed my photography approach. Finally I want to thank the whole group that made the experience unforgettable, and I am looking forward to taking part in my second workshop.

The workshop with Nikos was a great experience and a wonderful event. The evening reviews were inspiring as Nikos proved to be not only a gifted photographer but also a patient teacher and reviewer. He truly possesses the didactical skills to explain what elements are required in building up a good photograph. Naturally the workshop was frustrating at the same time as one comes to realize what skills are required in order to perform photography at this level. Nonetheless, it is definitely learning process that I want to experience again, so I’m studying my agenda and Nikos’ website to try to decide when I can sign up again.

This is the third time I participate in a Nikos’s workshop. Everybody comes back! Cuba was amazing. The people, the place, the backgrounds, the light, everything was perfect and of course Nikos’s passion for photography, his sharp vision, his keenness to find great images in our work made us produce and achieve great results. His comments are always truly useful and make us see in a different way. This is not a didactic class, this is an awareness journey, this is a personal search of style and meaning for our images. He does not tell us what to do. We ultimately discover it by ourselves and this is truly amazing. It looks like an impossible task but after a few days every body’s work becomes stronger, more compact and meaningful. Nikos is friendly and affectionate to everybody, he tries to understand the needs of every participant. He is generous with his time and he is always ready to help during the day. If he feels somebody needs extra help he immediately proposes a private meeting in the morning. The evening meetings are a delight. To see so many good images, talented photographers trying to improve their work is incredible motivating. I am planning to come to Iran in May and looking forward to it. Thank you Nikos for organizing the workshops and for your enthusiasm in our work. We do appreciate it, hugely.

The workshop in Istanbul with Nikos has been very challenging and enriching experience as I am quite new at photography. When we have to leave our comfort-zone, to see different around us, we struggle to improve and it is never easy. The precious advice of such talented and experienced photographer as Nikos opens up new horizons to work on and sharing comments and time with other partecipants turned out to be very productive and pleasant. I have appreciated so much the method, editing is crucial for any photographer and Nikos helped us understand how to proceed or try it better. I love your attitude and personal approach Nikos, so true … if we’ll be a better a person, we’ll be a better photographer.

Thank you so much for the incredible opportunity to participate in your Istanbul workshop. After the first day, I realized everything I thought I knew about photography was crap. I appreciate your patience and kindness with me during the entire time, especially as a novice. I felt that I really limited myself in the workshop because of my current level.
I wanted so badly to learn, and want to continue to learn, how to create and compose a good photograph and this workshop provided me with a starting point. Your critiques were invaluable. The conversations we all shared and the insight given from the other photographers helped me immensely. It was inspiring to be immersed in an environment with such passionate people. Having Jason Eskenazi share his work with us was also a great highlight from the workshop.
I already miss our group meetings, staying up until 1 a.m. discussing photography. I wish it could have lasted longer. I will continue to work on improving my skills and I cherish the foundation you have been able to provide. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you! 

The workshop in Lisbon was very enlightening for me, since I don’t normally do this kind of photography. After sharing these days with Nikos and the other participants, I find myself noticing things more, actually “seeing” people and their interaction with each other and the immediate environment. It was an eye opener and this kind of photography is something that is gradually becoming more enticing and enjoyable for me. Besides, the way Nikos leads the participants gives them complete freedom to experiment and achieve durable results, while gently guided by a master towards better and better images and a keener vision. He hides nothing from the participants and genuinely strives to give everyone an unforgettable experience. Nikos Economopoulos, thank you very much for a very enjoyable week.

I really had great time in Istanbul and found the workshop every bit as challenging as I had hoped. The blend of nationalities was great and I think it was a good idea to move the sessions to the middle of the day to allow shooting in better light. I guess the only thing was that removed the social aspect a little as I guess in the evenings we would have had a meal or some beers afterwards and a chance to talk more on a personal level. From my personal perspective, I did find the workshop extremely challenging and I do find it a little hard to force shooting and I did struggle to find photographs that express my thinking. Having said that, this was exactly the reason I came, to be challenged and taken forward in my photographic evolution. I can safely say that since the workshop I am much more demanding of myself and no longer tolerate shots that are safe or just plain nice. I think the workshop facility and location was superb, and I really enjoyed meeting all the guys. Maybe some more reviews of local photographers work would have been good as it’s always nice to see a different perspective. I do hope to make it to some of your future workshops and am even thinking of Istanbul again in December as I love the city so much.

All along this workshop, I’ve learnt and understood many many things, photographically and personally. My vision of photography has considerably changed. After these eight days, I feel really motivated to carry on learning, practicing and enjoying photography. This experience was very fruitful and positive. Moreover, I appreciated that you give a chance to every person. Thank you for all that !

I feel really blessed to be part of the community of “ontheroad”. Nikos is an extraordinary mentor for everyone no matter which level one is working on. And, besides the joy of the journey it’s the great company of all the warm people you meet in this workshop. The things we have learned from Nikos are starting to work in my mind and i hope to begin seeing not just recording something. I really enjoyed it a lot. I really look forward to the next workshop.

To go on a workshop with Nikos is one big learning experience. It means to challenge yourself in ways that at least I don’t do in my everyday life. I really appreciate his strong opinions and straightforwardness. To talk about photography and show your daily work to him is very rewarding because of his profound knowledge and total honesty. I strongly recommend anyone interested in this type of photography to go on a workshop with Nikos. I’m truly grateful for what I have learned from him and of course I will return for another workshop.

My trip to Ghana was my third with Nikos Economopoulos. As always the workshop is very high quality, and a total eye-opener to photography. Nikos is one of the best photography teachers out there, and the general level of the participants leveled up daily. Ghana was very beautiful, and the resort absolutely stunning.
Bonus info: best African food in Cape Coast with fresh fish on a daily basis.

My experience in Beirut, participating in a photography workshop with Nikos was not only BRILLIANT and AMAZING, it was something more! The daily editing sessions were key to learning more not just about my own work and what direction it might take, but I learn’t so much from everyone else too and what you taught us in those sessions. I now look at a photograph with critical eyes and less emotion, I want the photo to tell me a story, in and of itself. I compose differently, I use my camera more effectively (I think &amp hope) everywhere I look I am trying to compose a photograph, not just when I feel it intuitively but when it might not be the ideal situation photographically. I am more patient with myself and the elements around me. But something that I took away from the workshop in Beirut, you said it a number of times but especially towards the end of the week. You said “Take pleasure in what you photograph” and that is exactly what I am doing more so than ever and I am loving every moment of this new enlighten journey I am embarking on with my camera!

I’ve participated in Nikos’ workshops 7 times. It’s never enough. The experience is so enriching that as soon as it is done you find yourself planing for the next one! The Ghana workshop was incredibly fulfilling. Every participant was talented, lots of very good images emerged during the 11 day workshop. Nikos always challenges everybody at many levels. It is very personal. Nikos’ workshop is a journey that gives you the inspiration and direction to find and deepen your personal vision. Nikos is a mentor, an amazing human being who always celebrates good images made during his workshop with joy and passion. He is genuine and sincere. He has a sharp eye for editing. He does not tell you what to do, he does not impose his own style. It’s a common effort. It’s like a visual catharsis. This is why it is so fulfilling to participate in his workshops. It’s all about growing visually in a collaborative and friendly environment. Once you are on the road with Nikos you stay on the road with Nikos because the journey never ends.

People ask me why I keep attending Nikos’ workshops. Well, I can’t imagine a better way to experience and photograph a new place than through Nikos’ workshop! The regimen and discipline it requires is just impossible to duplicate if you’re otherwise simply traveling on holiday. What’s even better is that you get daily feedback and instruction. We see ourselves improve, whatever skill level we’re at. Our understanding of photography and our own approach thereto is deepened with each session, in every workshop attended. This is probably why this tribe of On The Road travellers has continued to grow into a thriving community of like-minded people. Even after the workshop, we have continued to keep in touch and remain friends, providing each other with insight and feedback on photography. This is why I like being On The Road with Nikos.

As a passionate photographer I was looking for a workshop that was not about pixels, gear and academic lectures.
Coincidentally, I discovered Nikos’ on the road workshops. The participants’ work immediately caught my eyes – and shortly after I found myself at the Istanbul workshop. It exceeded by far my expectations: Nikos’ joviality, patience, his guidance and incitement to try new ways and discover what might be dormant in oneself was incredible! It was manifest everyday in the pictures we “brought home” after long and exhausting walks in this staggering city. The vespertine meetings were fun as well. Thank you, Nikos, for your effort and thanks to all participants for the great atmosphere!

This week was, by far, my best spent time concerning photography over these last few years.
I was trying to clear my mind, to find the right approach to photography, and this workshop was a stepping stone, taking me to another level of understanding.
Staying late each night, patiently going through other participants’ work, as well as my own, answering our questions, explaining choices we did not understand in the beginning, helping us to see the good and the bad elements in a photo, pointing out good content and good intention.
All these things and more, Nikos did in a very honest way, sharing his thoughts and his knowledge with each of us. A great photographer, and a really inspiring mentor.

As always, a great workshop, good people and rewarding discussions. First, I will say I really enjoyed Porto as a city. Its’ size was just right, and there were enough interesting areas to get around to – the old town, art museum, food market, the other side of the river and town Gaia, the beaches and the riverside walks. And it was easy to get around with buses and trams – and walking.
Second, I really enjoy to experience and to watch how good you are pedagogically. One little step at a time, go easy, you manage to lift us all a little bit – also the not so experienced. Thank you so much for that!
You do it so well, and discreetly – I think we hardly notice that we learn something, a little at a time. And also always interesting to listen when you tell of your experiences, travels, of the history of photography and the great photographers in the past.
I come home happy, having learned a lot. Now looking at my photos with more critical eyes, knowing maybe how to do it better next time.