By Iminza Keboge
Published April 9, 2022
A programme that gives aspiring photographers the platform on which to showcase their work, gain access to and feedback from experts and attend industry events invites applications from students in Africa, Middle East and Europe.
The programme, by Canon, is open to students and interns living in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and lasts between six and twelve months. The organisers say it is designed to cultivate the next generation of photojournalists.
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“The Canon Student Development Programme gives photographers who are in the early stages of their career direct access to some of the most experienced photojournalists who can share what they have learned over decades of working in the field and some of the tips and techniques that they use for visual storytelling,” says Finbarr O’Reilly, Programme Mentor and Canon Ambassador. “Students get to learn the various stages of ideation, research, concepting, execution, then editing and sharing their work with editors and the wider public. In addition to the creative aspects, they also learn about the business side to a certain extent – how to present and market yourself.”
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The top 30 shortlisted students will be invited to attend Canon’s workshop, taking place in the run up to Visa pour l’image in Perpignan, France – one of the world’s leading photojournalism festivals where students will be exposed to a mix of lectures and practical sessions hosted by revered photographers.
On the penultimate day, students will take part in group portfolio review sessions hosted by industry experts and have the opportunity to present their work and critique their peers in a knowledge-sharing forum.
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The final stage of the process will see five finalists head to Hamburg for Europe’s newest development platform, the Hamburg Portfolio Review. During a three-day trip, they will each take part in four individual portfolio reviews, have their work physically exhibited at the show and attend a series of exclusive media appointments with key editors in the industry. Over the following six months, they will receive longer term mentorship opportunities and will be provided with a €2000 grant and top-of-the-line Canon equipment to support their next creative chapter.
Canon estimates that more than 1,000 students have since 2017 taken part in its programme.
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