June 24, 2019
The Changing Face of Photojournalism in Focus at DPC Workshop
Session discusses future of photojournalism in an evolving news environment
Dubai Press Club (DPC), in collaboration with global news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), held an interactive workshop on ‘Photojournalism’ as part of its ongoing Media National Youth Programme (MNYP).
The session, presented by Giuseppe Cacace, AFP’s Chief Photographer for Gulf & Yemen, is the latest in a series of workshops that form part of the MNYP, a four-month training initiative held in partnership between DPC and the Watani Al Emarat Foundation. The Programme seeks to provide media students and young professionals with the knowledge and skills required to excel in the media industry.
His Excellency Dherar Belhoul, Director General of Watani Al Emarat Foundation, said: “Through our partnership with Dubai Press Club, we seek to provide opportunities for both students and young media professionals to learn from seasoned media practitioners and benefit from their deep experience. The Media National Youth Programme aims to expose emerging local media talent to the latest technologies, tools, strategies and knowledge in the media industry as part of our effort to foster the development of a highly skilled next-generation national workforce.”
Director of Dubai Press Club Maitha Buhumaid said: “The Media National Youth Programme brings together accomplished experts from across the region’s media industry to share their specialised expertise with aspiring media professionals. Designed in partnership with a range of DPC’s strategic partners, the Programme’s workshops are focused on the skillsets required in today’s rapidly-evolving media sector. The latest workshop on Photojournalism explores how media professionals can tell visually compelling stories, a critical skill in an environment where news content is increasingly visually driven.”
Rene Slama, Bureau Chief, Gulf and Yemen, Agence France-Presse, said AFP’s support for the Media National Youth Programme stems from the organisation’s commitment to contribute to the development of media talent in the region. One of the key aims of AFP’s workshop is to provide a picture of the rapid changes that photojournalism is going through in the digital era. New technologies and approaches to visual storytelling are transforming the practice of photojournalism, and professionals are responding to these changes in unique ways, he added.
During the workshop, Giuseppe Cacace, an accomplished photojournalist with significant experience in the region and Europe, discussed the key elements of visual narration. “Photojournalism uses the medium of photography as the main story telling device. While a journalist uses pen and paper to tell stories, photojournalists use their camera to capture the visual representation of a story,” he said.
Stressing that photojournalism seeks to provide an unembellished and accurate representation of reality, he said: “There is no manipulation, no photoshop, no wide crop in photojournalism.” To be compelling in today’s media environment, photojournalism needs to be “fast” and “different”, he added. He particularly underlined the need for rapid distribution of photojournalist’s work to maximise its reach and impact in an ever-changing news environment.
Running until July 2019, the Media National Youth Programme aims to create a comprehensive platform for young Emirati media professionals to enhance their knowledge, expertise and skills in media. The Programme features a series of workshops in collaboration with leading academic and media institutions in the country.
