News
MOVING FORWARD
adriana teresa letorney
May 6, 2017
Instead of arguing that supporting emerging photojournalists has gone too far- how about advocating that more and better resources should be made available? More workshops and mentorships with photo editors, photographers, and others.
Young photographers lack direction and opportunity. How about advocating the value of photo editors (who by the way are losing their jobs left in and out)? Stripping away direction and opportunity is not the solution. Finding a better solution and way to do it and adding more resources is the discussion we should be having.
Bashing when pointing out the many problems is not a solution and neither is leaving new generations without access to professional resources and tools and equal opportunity. Please- especially the one's who have been doing this for decades- be aware of what you are propagating and the repercussions this will have on the new talent.
A time of reflection is needed to brainstorm on what is the best way to support new and emerging and at times young talent.
Sometimes- silence means that individuals are actually gathering information before making an informed, responsible and professional decision.
Let's focus on moving forward by discussing what is photojournalism? what makes up the photojournalism industry? what are the different roles? What do photojournalists do? Why do photojournalists do that job? How? Where? What are the different approaches? What is the importance of the work that is being done? What is the ethics surrounding and aiming to achieve the best practice, process, and projects?
Photojournalism can learn from mistakes...and find real solutions on how photojournalism can continue to exist, and be better.
(For clarity: I am not blaming one over anyone or comparing. I am saying- this is a time to reflect on best practice moving forward from the organizations side as well as the photojournalists side....from the Grant givers including Visura (which is why we put an end to the grant program for the remainder of the year to take time to evaluate the process and practice) and the Grant receivers. And that more resources need to be allocated to bringing equal and informed direction and opportunity...like mentorships as Angel Franco Suggested in the comments below.)