National Press Photographers Association - Flying Short Course

I caught up with the 2007 National Press Photographers Association’s (NPPA) Flying Short Course in Philadelphia -- the first stop of a three-city, three-day cross country professional photo seminar. Some incredible work was showcased by seasoned photojournalists as well as younger professionals.

 

Josh Meltzer, a Roanoke Times photographer and 2006 Photojournalist of the Year, presented his multimedia work, highlighting the power of audio in web based journalism.  His coverage of Somali immigrants settling in Roanoke can be viewed at: The Roanoke Times Photos and Multimedia. Or you can link to it directly here: Somali Bantu refugees.  

 

Pulitzer Prize winner, April Saul’s images spanning 20 years revealed her profound involvement with her subjects. She presented an essay on an immigrant Cambodian woman living in Pennsylvania with a foster family, a group-home where a woman took in disabled children and tended to them as her own. Saul is currently working on a project documenting the mourning process of families and communities who have experienced the shooting death of a child under the age of 17.  Take a look at an amazing set of pictures at philly.com's "Chronicling the Tragedy."

Associated Press photojournalist David Guttenfelder, winner of the 2006 NPPA Best Of Photojournalism for larger markets, showed his portfolio of foreign disasters and war. His understated elegy dismissing “normal life,” underscored the toll covering hard news can take on a journalist.

    

A man in Delhi, India celebrates Holi, the Hindu festival of colors. The festival, originally held to celebrate the fertility of the land, is also associated with the immortal love of Hindu God Krishna and Radha. 

 

John Morris, 89, often cited as the world's most influential photo editor whose career stops included LIFE magazine, The New York Times, Ladies Home Journal, The Washington Post and as the first Executive Director of Magnum Photos, spoke about how photojournalism was more than just a job – it’s a life style, a commitment. Check out his book on the subject: Get the Picture.

 

Yet,despite the diversity in presentation and generation, the common thread through the presentations was that regardless of technology and gear, salaries and location, the skill and commitment required for storytelling remains unchanged.

 

More than anything, the weekend encouraged me and the troop of students and unemployed photographers in attendance, to simply go out and do — a concept often forgotten by young shooters who are searching for the get-famous-quick trapdoor.

 

To read a story about the seminars, go to: 2006 NPPA Flying Short Course. 

 

- Rachel

      

__________________________________________________________________________