News Photographers Attend Gwanza Photographic Workshop

Zimbabwe Mon 21-07-2008

News Photographers Attend Gwanza Photographic Workshop
By: Martin Chemhere

The Annual Gwanza Photographic Workshop, which attracts some of the country's leading and upcoming photo journalists in Zimbabwe and the Southern African region, ended on Friday 18 July in Harare with a full house of over 20 participants.

Gwanza Photographic Workshop

Facilitating the five day workshop proceedings was Zimbabwe's well known photojournalist Fidelis Zvomuya, who enhanced the skills and knowledge of the country's photo journalists.

This year the workshop did not have foreign photojournalists because of inadequate funding. On the first day of the workshop Zvomuya was ably partnered by guest facilitator and also a photographic luminary, William Nyamuchengwa.

But the highlight of the workshop was when award-winning and world renowned photojournalist Alexander Joe took the participants on the fourth day, and the veteran shared some of the most improtant tips in the field impressing the audience with the results.

Other names that gave hints and tips throughout were Calvin Dondo, who is dwelling on conceptual photography and Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi who looked at photojournalism.

Dondo and Mukwazhi have also made huge impact in African photography both beng winners at the Bamako Photographic Encounters in 2007.

Zvomuya was to take over as a sole soldier for the remainder of the five days mainly zeroing in on the techniques and the "do's and don'ts" of the profession.

Well known Bulawayo born photographer and lecturer Tamuka Mutengwa, who is one of the participants and has been attending the workshops this year after having beenm part of the same since 2004 hailed this year's panel:The workshop affords us photographers to share with luminaries in the photography industry.

This year we have shared quality time with a panel of facilitators including award-winning and internationally renowned photographers like Alexander Joe and local greats like Fidelis Zvomuya".

Mutengwa's assertion speaks volumes about the Gwanza Photographic Workshop.He is an emerging authority in the photographic field after having studied at South Africa 's Rhodes University graduating in 2006 with a BA.

Gwanza Photographic Workshop

Between 2002 and 2006 he was a photographic lecturer at the Institute of Art and Design based at the Buawayo Polytechnic.

He is currently lecturing in the same field at the Chinhoyi University of Technology while also attached to the University of Zimbabwe for a Masters Degree in Media and Communication Studies. He has also been a guest facilitator in 2005 and has associated with Gwanza for the past 4 years.

The duo of Zvomuya and Nyamuchengwa are veterans who have been part and parcel of the local photojournalism fraternity since the 70s and they together boast vast experience which now includes training and development as part of an effort to further improve the standards in the sector.

Zvomuya is an award-winning photojournalist who worked for The Herald for23 years dating from 1980 to 2003. He was the Chief Photographer and at one time scooped the All Africa Games Photographer Award in 1994.

He holds a Diploma in Photography, a Diploma in Photojournalism, a Diploma in Mass Communication and Journalism and a Diploma in Accounting. He founded the Zimbabwe Institute of Photographic Arts and Cinematography in 1998.

For some years he was a lecturer at the Christian College of Southern Africa were he trained some journalists and photojournalists who have made it in various media houses and as freelancers in Zimbabwe and the Southern African region.

Nyamuchengwa worked for ZIANA (Zimbabwe Inter Africa News Agency) and the Ministry of Information for many years before he retired to run his own photographic consultancy.

Both veterans have since retired and are still practicing while also engaging in training and development of young and practicing photojournalists.

They gave out valuable information during the workshop and the participants were enriched with blow-by-blow accounts in photographic techniques, knowing the camera components, processing in the laboratory, colour and black and white photography, among other topics.

Participants were also advised to try conceptual photography before they left their employers as this was important in preparation for days of retirement when they would be ensured of continued income.

The issue of copyright was also touched but as usual this field has always proved complicated and was abandoned because debates were unending.During the workshop photojournalists also revealed that they were treated as amateurs by their writing colleagues in various newsrooms.

They expressed concern that most of the times news-writers were bent on dictating what they should take while on assignment instead of being let free to exercise what they had learned and knew best.

The workshop suggested inviting news-writers and editors for a future workshop as a way of creating conducive working environment and also to reduce likely tension in the newsrooms.

Several institutions such as media houses, technical colleges, government organizations, and the freelance fraternity are attending the workshop which takes place every year and during the Gwanza Month of Photography traditionally held in July and is currently running at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Posted By: .

skip to top

Your Comments

skip to top

African Artists Portfolios

Miguel Petchkovsky is a Mixed Media Artist

Click To View All African Artist Portfolios

Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery

Shades of Time: An exhibition by Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery National Museum of Kenya

News By Regions

Featured Artist Portfolio

Title: Making Ways
Name: Tabitha Wa Thuku
Country: Kenya
Medium: Mixed media on heavy canvas
Size: 149 X 140 cms
Click here to view