PhotoVoice - Bringing new voices to photo journalism
Last updated 26/11/2008 15:38:58
PhotoVoice: transforming lives through photography
PhotoVoice is an award-winning international charity and the only development organisation of its kind in Europe. Its projects empower some of the most disadvantaged groups in the world with photographic skills so that they can transform their lives.
Through establishing in-field photojournalism workshops its projects enable those who are traditionally the subjects of photography to become its creator. Through photography these individuals find confidence in their voices and are enabled to speak out about their challenges, concerns, hopes and fears.
PhotoVoice projects span four continents, assisting refugees, street children, orphans, HIV/ AIDS sufferers and special needs groups. Internationally the organisation provides the platform for PhotoVoice groups to exhibit and market their work and to inspire change. It also provides long-term support for individuals to pursue careers in their local photographic industries.
PhotoVoice always works in partnership with other international organisations and local community organisations to ensure project sustainability and sensitivity to the specific needs and issues of the beneficiary group.
Philosophy
Today - more than any other time in history - images bombard and envelop us. Television, print and the Internet unceasingly present images of people to emulate or help... historical icons to remember... products we need. It's within this new world of constant visual imagery, and the need for shock of aesthetic beauty that photojournalism today must compete – to make a single image stand out and to get us to take the image – and what it is depicting – seriously.