Talking with Images

Posted under News on 07 December, 2010

In-between ‘Africa Uploaded’ opening night, back-to-back press interviews, exploring Dubai and walking the red carpet at Dubai International Film Festival, artists Ntare and Antony Kaminju made time to conduct a two-day photographic workshop at The Mojo Gallery.

Over twenty students with a wide variety of photographic and life experience took part in the detailed and interactive workshop, focused on creating a ‘one second story’.

For both Antony and Ntare, being in a teaching environment is familiar territory. Antony lectures at Witwatersand University of Johannesburg in the School for Journalism. Ntare has taught students at Yale University and University of Southern California.

Day one of the workshop focused on narrative storytelling and composition – how to create a beginning, middle and end to a photographic story. Antony kicked off the Friday morning workshop will a welcome then threw open the concept of capturing an untold story: ‘Africa has been documented for decades. The imagery is of war and hunger. As an African photographer I have an obligation. To tell stories as they are. Our own stories. The story is not always what the mainstream media see’s as important.’

Students were given a photographic assignment for that evening, from which they could put forward ten strongest images for critique on day two. Cue an intense few hours of discussion – giving workshop participants incredible insight into an artist view of the world.

Student Candace was inspired by the artists’ focused critique: ‘It was a fantastic experience. Both of the photographers were very forthcoming and supportive to everyone in the group and I left with the encouragement and friction I needed.’

Leaving The Mojo Gallery later that Saturday, Ntare and Antony invited all the students to swap details. Mentor and Mentees have continued to keep in touch through a closed Facebook group, posting photographs and learning’s from the weekend.

Ntare stayed in Dubai another week for the premier of his film ‘40’ which you can read about here. Antony flew to Nairobi where he is leading a photographic project about Swahili culture.

Antony Kaminju describing the technical part during the Photography workshop

Ntare taking class for the participants in the workshop

Participants having a break during the workshop