PARTICIPANTS SELECTED FOR 2008 JOOP SWART MASTERCLASS

Congrats to Peter VA for getting in and everyone.

This is a stupid question but how does one get nominated for this?

Congratulations. NO AFRICANS AS USUAL. WE MUST BE VISUALLY IMPAIRED>

Ok, ok. Sorry about the shouting, I am just cross again at the fact that clearly african images are clearly so boring as to be ‘non creative’

Oh and in response to the valid question…
One has to be forwarded by a reputable scout…an ex-WPP judge usually….

Right, Ive talked my rage and frustration away….by myself. Again apologies and seriously congratulations to the recipients it is a great experience.
The reason I feel so frustrated about this is that I know and have taught/mentored/worked with young folk who are seriously talented and have come from communities and situations which they and they alone have access to and have (in my opinion) honestly and objectively documented some of the most important issues in Africa. Not to mention the fact that they really could DO with the prize.

Anton—

I COULDNT AGREE MORE!!!!….no disrespect at all to the winners either (they are all terrific photographers), BUT as usual, it makes the same grade…no Africans, nor s.americans…frankly, much about the WPP is slavishly colonialist and dystopic…

my own person hope is that they~ll be a time when the photo world (read—westernized world-n.america, europe, ozzie land, parts of asia significantly oriented by western notions of photography and achievement) gets tsunamied by the larger world of visual expression…

Im all ears to your shouting! Ç)))..

cheers
bob

Does someone from Libya not count as Africa? Have you been to WPP photo awards or checked out the winners this year?
Lightstalkers can be such a pit of negativity. How can a thread congratulating deserving participants turn into such heavy criticism of an organisation that does nothing but promote great photojournalism and help to train young photographers?

Amber:

As a long standing member of LS who has promoted “positivity,” i’d respectfully disagree. I accept your criticism of our comments vis-a-vis this thread. Fair enough. The WPP has much to be criticized for, professionally speaking. I don’t think either Anton or myself were denegrating or devaluing the strong and important work of the winners, much of whose work I admire and respect. However, it is an important, honest and most emphantically, a question of concern when an organization bound to promotion of “documentary/journalistic” standards has an historical track record that is legitimately questioned. As with the awards, it is a fair criticism to raise, as long as the discussion is not about those chosen or the work but about the decision makers and the nomenclature that thrives.

I’ve worked first hand with people associated with WPP here and elsewhere and have raised similar concerns. This is not an attempt to take away from winners, but raising the question is a legitimate issue. There is an historical absence of representation of fine photographers from locals that, yes year after year, seem to have passed the eye of the organization. That’s all both of us are suggestion:

The annual WPP show that comes is filled with gorgeous, brilliant work and i applaud all of that. But also, legitimate questions about the choices of who the organization decides to support is critical. This year’s awards were given to many actually not previously associated with the body of “photojournalists” we usually associate witht he awards: that was a bold and brave (if contentious) decision that I fully support: a step in the right direction. Masterclass selections could use similar insight…that’s all Im saying..

discussion toward awareness is not negativity.

respectfully
Bob

Libya ? Joop Swart Masterclass was the topic no Libyans there….
I can count on my ONE hand how many Africans have been recipients I KID YOU NOT.

Aah again I must apologies!!!!! foot in mouth! US US US/Libya…..sorry.

Bob is the Man! (I think…)
No seriously no offense was meant. The frustration I feel is just the frustration of seeing tall tree’s felled in the forest alone with no film in my camera! or ‘juice’ in my battery…..
lots of the people I am thinking of still have no computers never mind broadband or money for couriers or a reliable postal service. You must try getting an un couriered document/parcel to anywhere in Africa trust me it is ….again frustrating….and perhaps that is simply what the situation is? adverseity will prevail though! and thus my steam because clearly not yet…..

and I will look up at the screen and consider my spelling and syntax…from now on.