Masterclass for photographers

Market Photo Workshop and Gwanza Arts in Harare are hosting a series of masterclasses for professional photographers in Johannesburg and Harare.
PROFESSIONAL photographers from South Africa and Zimbabwe are invited to apply to join the Joburg-Photo-Harare-Programme, which will enable them to improve their skills and experiences.

Compounds and Hostels project: A photo by Nigel SibandaCompounds and Hostels project: A photo by Nigel SibandaInitiated by Market Photo Workshop in Newtown in partnership with Gwanza Arts in Harare, the programme will consist of three masterclass workshops that will be hosted in the two cities.

Photographers from both countries will participate. The Johannesburg leg of the workshop is scheduled for 11 to 18 April, hosted by Market Photo Workshop. Gwanza Arts will host a follow-up workshop, which will take place from 8 to 15 August.

The programme, which will be implemented over two years from 2012 to 2013, will have a third workshop in Johannesburg, in March 2013.

According to Loyiso Oldjohn, the curriculum courses co-ordinator at Market Photo Workshop, the masterclasses will be an advanced level conceptualisation and professional development engagement aimed at professional photographers. “The masterclasses look to improve upon already existing skills and experience,” he explains.

There will also be an online networking platform to maintain communication between the photographers that will continue until the course is completed. Photographers who want to grow their critical and conceptual photography practice will gain a lot from the programme.

“The masterclass workshops incorporate exploring the state of photography, in its social environment and the complexities of African photography as both a concept and a mode,” says Oldjohn.

Participating photographers will acquire training and experience in post-production, editing and curatorial skills. It is hoped that the programme will encourage the photographers’ critical development through intensive discussions, critiques and viewing of their portfolios by reputable photographers for analytical feedback.

Applications close on Friday 30 March at 12am. Shortlisted candidates may have to be available for an interview soon thereafter.

Photographers applying to participate will be required to present an in-progress body of work before the programme starts. “They will also be expected to develop the in-progress bodies of work further during the masterclass workshop intervals.”

Participants will travel to the host cities, and the applicants must have valid passports with travel insurance. The programme covers accommodation and during the sessions they will be given an undisclosed stipend.

Applicants must submit the following:

Completed application form;
A single PDF file of 12 photographs of work in progress (no more than 5MB);
One page write up of your work;
One page project proposal, keeping in mind the project description above, of how the Joburg-Photo-Harare Programme will improve your work and what you propose to focus on during the programme; and
Copy of a valid passport.
Applicants must be fully available for the three-part duration of the Joburg-Photo-Harare Programme and be able to travel to the programme host cities of Johannesburg and Harare.

Applications must be emailed to the following people: Loyiso Oldjohn at loyisooj@marketphotoworkshop.co.za and Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi at gwanza@gmail.com, and must be copied to Molemo Moiloa at molemom@marketphotoworkshop.co.za

Download the application form here.