photo: © Jan Banning
Woerden Castle Photographers’ Café Program, August 25, 2025
The Photographers’ Café at Woerden Castle organized a varied program for photography enthusiasts.
13.30-17.30 Lightroom Workshop by Jelmer de Haas.
At 19.30 the evening program, Fotoplaza, began with Hans Franz.
20.00
The featured guest was Jan Banning. In the Knights’ Hall, he used three photo stories to explain how he developed into a successful artist and photographer.
1. Jan Banning - Early Projects
Jan began working on social-documentary projects in the ’80s, including land reform in Portugal and the aftermath of wars. Among other subjects, he documented the effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam and created compelling series about forced labor in Asia during World War II.
His work is characterized by a critical view of power, justice and historical consequences.
2. Jan Banning - The Story of Christina Boyer
In an interview with Aart Sliedrecht, Jan discussed his moving project about Christina Boyer, an American woman who has been incarcerated for decades for the death of her daughter.
Using photographs, documents and reconstructions, he examines her case as well as the American justice system. A compelling photo story about guilt, justice and doubt.
3. Jan Banning - Rwanda Reconciliation Project
In this project, Jan Banning portrays perpetrators and victims of the Rwandan genocide (1994), often together in a single photograph. The project shows how reconciliation is possible, even after extreme violence. Jan showed a preview of the exhibitions in Boston, New York and Cortona, Italy.
The book and, in December 2025, an exhibition at Museum Hilversum were scheduled for later that year.
The final part of the evening began at 21.15 with portfolio reviews by four professional photographers, as well as The Long Table.
The reviewers had many years of experience in the world of photography and extensive experience as coaches and mentors. Their advice gave participants practical ways to get even more out of their photographic work.
For more information, visit fotografencafekasteelwoerden.nl
EVENING ADMISSION WAS FREE | NO REGISTRATION WAS REQUIRED
