* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Thomson Reuters Foundation over the summer held its first Photography workshops in Kigali, Rwanda, and Goma, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The pair of three-day workshops held in July offered an opportunity for me to return to a region where I had worked for many years as a Reuters photographer.
Revisiting Rwanda’s “thousand hills” and being back in Goma during an international arts and film festival was a welcome reminder of the creativity and vitality thriving in both countries despite two decades of regional conflict. The settings offered dramatic backdrops of active volcanoes, bustling street markets, and a picturesque lakeshore ideal for visual exploration.
The Goma workshop was held during a time of relative calm and optimism in a city often wracked by violence and insecurity, much of which I covered as journalist.
Now it was time to share the skills I learned during my career to help local photographers to tell their own stories. Each workshop involved 16 participants from local media outlets. Despite regular power cuts, poor Internet connectivity, and logistical challenges that are part of daily life in the region, participants worked hard to complete shooting assignments.
For many, even those who had been doing photography professionally, there was much to learn. Due to the high costs of camera equipment and low salaries, many participants used mobile phones, point-and-shoot cameras, or shared equipment borrowed from friends or newsrooms. This did not dampen their enthusiasm. Rwandan and Congolese journalists are accustomed to making do with whatever is available. Such resourcefulness serves them well in their work. We were still able to cover the basics of photography.
Participants learned about the importance of photojournalism ethics, the key elements of a powerful image, composition, relationships in photography, how to approach subjects and develop story ideas, how to shoot and edit feature stories, and how to write complete and accurate captions according to Reuters internationally accepted standards. We also covered technical skills such as exposure, lighting, depth of field, and shutter speed.
Issues of safety and dealing with armed forces were also addressed, as these were concerns raised by participants who often work in hostile environments. This was highlighted when one of our Kigali participants was arrested and detained for several hours while photographing downtown. Rwanda has strict media controls and the participant did not have his media credentials on him. Fortunately, the workshop was held in partnership with Rwanda’s Media High Council. After a few phone calls, our photographer was released with his equipment. His experience, while common when working Rwanda and Congo, made for a good story over beers and pizza during our last night’s dinner and certificate ceremony. Keep an eye out for compelling images from the talented photographers who took part in these two workshops.
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