We kick it old school in the world of new media. The Kalish embraces evolving storytelling techniques while staying grounded in the foundations of photojournalism and picture editing. Through a series of engaging exercises, participants will examine provided content and decide how to best edit and present each story for online, mobile, print and social platforms. We prioritize narrative. Participants discuss and problem-solve tough ethical issues, examine non-linear editing techniques, practice selecting and effectively sequencing the best photographs for each platform and reimagine content presentation methods for each platform.
(Photography and Video by Willie J. Allen, Jr. and Chris Zuppa)
The end goal: the workshop engages participants to develop an
exceptional eye for excellence in visual editing, its value, the process
and its purpose in their workplaces. We help visual thinkers bring their knowledge to the next level and give them the leadership skills needed to change their newsrooms and our industry for the better.
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The Kalish is a division of the National Press Photographers Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization charged with advancing press photography through education and the awarding of fellowships and scholarships.
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Stan Kalish
Stan was a daring, innovative picture editor at the Milwaukee Journal
from 1937 to 1950, when few papers had picture editors and it took guts
A 1935 photo of the Milwaukee Journal staff. Stan Kalish is pictured third from left in the from row.
and vision to achieve recognition. Along with University of Missouri Professor Clifton Edom, Stan wrote a book on picture editing that
became the Bible of the picture editing community and remained the only guide for decades. Stan died in 1985 and his widow, Betty Kalish, chose to honor his memory with a contribution to the National Press Photographers Foundation, making the creation of this workshop financially possible.
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John and Lois Ahlhauser
The first workshop began in 1990 at Marquette University in Milwaukee. John served as The Kalish director for the first eight years of the workshop. Lois oversaw operational details, both putting in countless hours.
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The Ahlhausers turned to J. Bruce Baumann, one of the most awarded, influential and visionary picture editors in the profession, for advice. John credits Bruce for conceiving the idea for the Stan Kalish Picture Editing Workshop, now known as The Kalish.
“In all seriousness (it really isn't a vacation) be willing to leave your preconceptions at the door and embrace a method of teaching that is different from any other workshop. Attending Kalish opened my eyes to the differences we all carry. I'm a much better visual journalist now and a much better picture editor. But you've got to embrace it and live it.”
2018 PARTICIPANT KENT PORTER
Photojournalist, Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Bruce helped inspire the curriculum, recruit faculty and participants. They did it all without monetary compensation. Through their insight and energy, The Kalish grew to become the premiere picture editing workshop in the country.
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The Advisory Committee
In 1997, the Ahlhausers felt it was time to turn over the management of the workshop by forming an advisory board with the mandate to develop curriculum that is current, innovative and relevant to the visual storyteller. This group provides direction, oversight and labor to assure the success of the Kalish from year-to-year. They are: Chloe Coleman, Danny Gawlowski, Kyndell Harkness, Danese Kenon, Kevin Martin, Sue Morrow, Jenn Poggi, William Snyder, and Brian Storm.
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Rochester Institute of Technology
The workshop was held at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisc., for the first 14
years, before moving to Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., where it remained for ten years. In 2015, The Kalish moved to state-of-the-art facilities at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y.,where the workshop continues its excellence in visual storytelling,leadership and inspiration.
2016 Kalish participants pose for a group photo in front of the tiger statue on the campus of RIT.