Break away from the routine. Elevate your visual literacy.
A 4-Day Narrative Photography Lab
11th – 14th September, 2026 | Puri, Odisha
Capacity: Strictly Capped at 10 Seats
Of Spirits & Sea is an immersive, high-yield documentary incubator designed for serious photographers and creators seeking to master the art of the photo documentary. Designed by Ground Glass Atelier, this lab bridges the gap between casual photography and formal, institutional fine art.
This is not a traditional photo walk. It is a rigorous editorial experience. You will be placed in a demanding, highly inspiring creative environment where the focus is entirely on narrative sequencing, visual intent, and overcoming creative plateaus.
The Access
Four days. Four aggressively contrasting environments.
Through the localized trust and community empowerment initiatives, participants are granted unprecedented, respectful access to Odisha’s most closely guarded cultural spaces. Your assignments will require you to navigate and document deeply human stories across ancient landscapes.
The Gotipua Gurukuls: The classical, highly disciplined inner courtyards of traditional dance.
The Ancient Sahis: The deeply atmospheric, low-light architecture of the old city.
Raghurajpur: The intricate, vibrant heritage artisan village where art is the skin of the house itself.
The Penthakata Coast: The chaotic, high-energy surf of the indigenous fishing fleets at dawn.
(Click on the images for indicative photo documentaries)
The Pedagogy & The Capstone
You will shoot heavily in the field, followed by intense, rapid-fire curation blocks. Under the mentorship of visual storyteller Amrit Panigrahy, you will learn to distill hundreds of raw files into cohesive, powerful narratives. You will be pushed to look past the obvious and find the extraordinary in the mundane.
At the conclusion of the curation block, your digital files will be translated into tangible fine art. Each of the 10 participants will be presented with a premium, archival photo box containing the physical fine-art proofs of their four completed documentaries.
The Logistics & Investment
We remove the friction of travel and logistics so you can focus entirely on the craft.
Tuition: ₹40,000 INR + GST
What is Included:
- 4 Days of intensive on-ground mentorship and editorial curation.
- Leverage Artificial Intelligence in the workflow.
- Premium accommodations in Puri.
- All meals, including curated Odia cuisine.
- Dedicated, air-conditioned on-ground transport to all assignment locations.
- All community honorariums, access fees, and fixer logistics.
- The premium, co-branded archival fine-art photo box.
What is Required:
- Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Bhubaneswar.
- Bring Your Own Gear: You must bring your own primary camera system, lenses, batteries, chargers and memory cards. A laptop or tablet for the daily curation and sequencing blocks is highly recommended. A working Google One Pro subscription.
The Application Process
To ensure a balanced, dedicated, and highly collaborative room, Of Spirit & Sea – Edition I is strictly application-only.
- Submit Your Portfolio: Fill out the brief application form below with your contact details and portfolio link.
- The Cohort Review: Selected candidates will be invited to a brief 30-minute “Cohort Fit” online meeting to ensure the masterclass aligns with your specific artistic roadblocks.
- Secure Your Seat: Approved candidates will receive a private invoice. Seats are allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis upon payment.
For more details, please drop a line to inquiries@groundglassatelier.com or, WhatsApp: +91-78150-20976
Ground Glass Atelier is an emerging visual arts institution dedicated to the preservation and advancement of photographic storytelling.