Crafting a Story in Enoshima

Locals sometimes write Enoshima with a different kanji character that renders its meaning as "picturesque island," a wordplay that captures the visual character of this longtime favorite of Japanese travelers. Magazine photographer and photography instructor Ben Weller takes you on a photography-focused tour of Enoshima with a clear goal in mind: crafting your trip into a story people want to follow. From ancient shrines to hip cafés, mysterious caves to fishermen casting their lines toward Mt. Fuji, there are plenty of stories to discover on Enoshima — an island Hokusai included in his Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji. You'll begin with a brief introduction to visual storytelling, then spend the next few hours capturing scenes that best convey your perspective of the day. The experience doesn't end when you leave the island: submit selected images to Ben after you return home, and he will advise you on how to sequence and present your work as a finished story.

Enoshima offers one of the rare views near Tokyo where Mt. Fuji can be framed over the sea. That single image is enough to draw most travelers — but this experience is for photographers wanting to build a complete story, developing their work beyond travel snapshots into a tightly connected piece of visual reportage that engages an audience. Ben teaches you how to think about a place with the eye of an editorial photographer or filmmaker, making each Enoshima location a chance to learn about theme, sequence and style. He imparts the knowledge and experience of a working editorial photographer that will help you make the most of your day in Enoshima, and also give you a framework for future trips to any destination. Understanding that such a project cannot be completed in a few hours, Ben also includes a post-tour edit and critique, in which you can submit a selection of photos and your desired theme, and he will help you sharpen your presentation with detailed written feedback.

Ben Weller is an editorial photographer based in Fujisawa, the Shonan-coast city where Enoshima sits. He has shot across Asia for National Geographic Traveller, Bloomberg, Virtuoso, and The Wall Street Journal. Prior to moving to Japan in 2015, he worked for five years as a photographer and lecturer in South Korea. Ben also teaches visual storytelling at the university level, and that work is the backbone of this experience: less how to make one strong frame than how a set of frames becomes a sequence a reader will follow. On Enoshima — a place he knows in most lights and seasons — he works less like a guide pointing at sights than an editor in the field, helping you find the story while it's still in front of you.

This experience fits photographers of all skill levels with an interest in visual storytelling. You should bring whatever equipment you are comfortable with for capturing images: from full professional kits to smartphones. Lessons are focused on seeing, not gear. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes as there is a lot of walking. An umbrella for sun and rain can also be useful, as well as a water bottle to help you stay hydrated.