South And Central America: Photojournalism And Documentary Photography Seminar, Level 1 (PNDP.1.1.001)

From: April 21, 2023
To: July 21, 2023
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Duration
12 Weeks
Class size
10
Scholarship eligibility
VII Academy will offer places to 10 people who are citizens and residents of the following countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.
Additional info

This program will be taught in Spanish.

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A church in Sapé, Paraíba state, Brazil. Aug. 22, 2022. ©Maíra Erlich

DESCRIPTION

Over a period of 12 weeks this tuition-free interdisciplinary seminar, divided into two modules, will be led by Monica Allende and will equip you with the necessary tools to produce photo essays suitable for publication in an editorial context.

During the seminar, you’ll explore how to develop a lasting career in visual storytelling, including conceiving, researching, and planning project ideas. You’ll be exposed to confronting ethical challenges as you navigate the moral maze of documenting the lives of others.

Problem-solving assignments will help you to unlock ways to work intuitively, intellectually and emotionally, so that your journalism becomes more instinctive, powerful and subtle.

Expect a transformative experience, where your current way of working will be challenged and refined through a series of lectures, group discussions and critiques, and assignments.

The Level 1 Seminar is split into two six-week modules. The first module covers basic concepts to ensure a strong practical and theoretical foundation and concludes with a short photo essay. The second module advances to a higher level and includes business concepts relevant to freelance journalists, multimedia training, and presentation skills.

SEQUENCE

Each week will begin with a lecture on a relevant concept in photojournalism and documentary practice. This lecture will be given by the tutor photographer or a guest with high-level experience in the topic being discussed.

After this lecture, the tutor will brief you on the assignment, due before the following week’s class. The assignments represent key subjects and approaches in narrative photojournalism and documentary photography.

During weekly feedback tutorials, you’ll present your work for discussion with tutors and other students. Everyone is expected to contribute to the critique of each student’s work. You will also be encouraged to work in pairs or small groups outside of the feedback tutorials to edit and critique each other’s work.

You will need to identify and research ideas for short and longer projects that should be local to you and allow for repeated access through the program. Find subjects that fascinate you and make sure that you can get access to. The deeper your connection to the subjects you photograph, the more effective your journalism will be.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

This seminar will develop your ability to work on short photo essays in an editorial context. It will help you to:
* Respond professionally and creatively to photojournalistic briefs;
* Shoot single documentary pictures and picture stories or series;
* Edit your work;
* Work to a deadline;
* Professionally present yourself and your work to an editor;
* Develop the social skills needed to get access to people at work and leisure and get permission to photograph them;
* Understand the visual potential of ideas / situations you are researching;
*Produce short time-based media for clients.

NOTES

Although Module 1’s topics and assignments may initially appear too basic to a more experienced photographers, our advanced alumni found that doing the assignments helped them to become more thoughtful practitioners.

Only those who achieve an A or B grade for Module 1 will be able to proceed to Module 2. Participants may only miss one class (excused in advance) and still proceed to Module 2. If an A or B grade is not achieved, in many cases it is possible to retake a module at a later date in order to improve.

Only participants who have completed Levels 1 and 2 with a passing grade may apply to attend Level 3, an intensive 4-week program held at VII Academy’s Alexandra Boulat Campus in Arles, France or Sarajevo, Bosnia.

Although Level 1 programs are offered in some cases in languages other than English, it is necessary to achieve at least a B1 level in English to attend Levels 2 and 3.

Apply Now!

Eligible applicants (see details at the top of the page) who wish to be considered for acceptance to this tuition-free program should complete the application form linked below. Please register for AwardForce, then select the name of this program.

Educators

Monica Allende is an independent curator/artistic director, consultant and educator. She is the Artistic Director of Landskrona Foto Festival, and was GetxoPhoto International Image Festival Artistic Director from 2017 to 2019.