Photography Workshop ''Urban Ocean'' with Tiffany Morgan (Underwater Conservation Photographer)

On Sept 24-25, 2018, I participated in a Photography Workshop "Urban Ocean" hosted by the U.S. Consulate General Surabaya, Public Affairs Section.  I was lucky to be selected for this limited participant workshop. There were 22 participants with some various background such as student, lecturer, professional photographer, sea soldier volunteer, American corner volunteer, and more. I was not a professional photographer yet any conservation member. I took keen on reducing environmental impact in life starting from myself. And I like took photos as a hobby since one and half years ago.  So, through this workshop, I got skills in photography also learned how to keep the ocean ecosystem clean by using visual media.

Tiffany Morgan, a professional underwater conservation photographer from Hawaii, shared her extraordinary photography skill and experience for two days workshop in Surabaya as the trainer of Photography Workshop "Urban Ocean."

The first day of the workshop, Sept 24, 2018, held at Horison Arcadia Hotel Surabaya. All the 22 participants gathered in a meeting room and started the session with the discussion of basic techniques of photography, how to take good photos with a phone camera, and the portrait of environmental and sustainability issues in society. After that, all of us headed to two locations by bus for exploring and taking photos with our camera, either a phone camera or DSLR camera. A participant even brought a drone camera. Cool!
Sentra Ikan Bulak, Wisata Kampung Nelayan Bulak was the first stop. It was hot and humid when we arrived, but all the participants were enthusiastic to explore the area.  Not many visitors and only a few fishermen worked during the time we spent there. A bunch of children was sitting and playing with several participants. Meanwhile, the other participants were busy taking photos. Next stop was Pasar Ikan Pabean, a large fish market in Surabaya. The situation in the fish market more alive than the first place that we visited. A lot of people were selling and buying the fish. Also, many kinds of fish that look yummy could be found and sold in the market. Funny thing was many fish sellers asked participants to take their photo while posing with the fish in their hands. "Mbak...mas...please take our photos," said the sellers. 😃
After exploring the two locations, the bus took all of us back to the hotel for a short discussion and peer review. At the end of the workshop, participants were informed to edit photos and upload it on Instagram.

We were hiding in shades to avoid the sun. 🌞😎

Wisata Kampung Nelayan Bulak

Pasar Ikan Pabean

Next day on Sept 25, 2018, the second day of the workshop held at the U.S. Consulate General Surabaya. A little bit different than the first day, participants were not allowed to bring any gadget, camera or electronic devices inside the Consulate building. I passed the security check and put my phone at the security post. Then the security guards led me the way to the workshop room. In a minute, I entered the room and voila...the memory of room's interior at Scottsdale Community College where I studied for two semesters was suddenly running in my head. The workshop room in the Consulate was almost the same as Turquoise Room in SCC. I felt that I attended a class at SCC again that time. Haha.
Okay, let's back to the workshop agenda which each participant shared the story behind the photos which already uploaded on Instagram. Most of the participants talked about the sustainable issue and the impact toward a society in Surabaya area. It was a fun time during the sharing session. Next, the moment that was waiting for, all participants got a certificate signed by Tiffany Morgan as Trainer and Christine Getzler-Vaughan, Public Affairs Officer of the U.S. Consulate General Surabaya. Yay! Delivery of Certificates ended the workshop on the second day. After that, participants had lunch box at the U.S. Consulate General Surabaya. Not only lunch box available, but also snack, cookies, tea, and coffee provided by the Consulate since the first day of the workshop.

At the same time, some workshop participants left, while the others stayed to join the next program along with the new incoming participants for a sharing program with Tiffany Morgan, Telling The Ocean Stories. In this program, she shared her experience in taking underwater photos while swimming along with beautiful sea creatures. All the audience were mesmerized by her photos. She spoke about how important to keep the ocean clean and protect the coral reefs and its ecosystem. She also explained that a pink coral reef showed the stressed coral. I never thought that a coral reef could be stressed too like a human being and turned a pink color. Interesting fact, wasn't it?
Tiffany was so passionate about sharing her remarkable experiences in diving and taking photos of stingrays, whales, and many beautiful sea creatures. I asked her about the best moment that she would never forget and she replied every time she met and took a photo of sea creatures was the unforgetful moment.

Thank you to the U.S Consulate General Surabaya, My America Surabaya, and Tiffany Morgan for having me in the Photography Workshop "Urban Ocean." I was glad to be able to participate in this workshop. I gained more skills, tips, and tricks in doing photography. Moreover, I got a lot of information about the underwater ecosystem that useful to share. 👌👍

And here is the link of Tiffany Morgan's masterpiece http://tiffanymorganphotography.com

To see the photos from the participants of Photography Workshop "Urban Ocean," please search Instagram photos using hashtag #urbanoceanSBY #myamericasurabaya #dikonjenAS

For further information about upcoming My America Surabaya activities, please follow the Official Instagram account @myamericasurabaya
I encourage you all especially those of you who live in Surabaya area to join as many as the activities at My America Surabaya because there are many useful activities and workshops for your future and also you can get more experience about the United States of America in Surabaya.

Ah ya, one more thing, the staffs in the U.S. Consulate General Surabaya are nice and very kind people. 😊