Canon paves the way for aspiring Middle Eastern photojournalists with the launch of its 2023 Student Development Programme
- Canon launches its seventh student programme, acting as a springboard for burgeoning photojournalists to develop and showcase their work
- 100 students to receive mentorship from industry experts representing established news agencies and news publications, as well as Canon Ambassadors
- A shortlist of 30 students will be invited to take part in a five-day workshop in Girona, including a visit to Visa pour l’Image, where they can form new connections with professionals and peers
- The final five mentees will be granted an exclusive Canon-curated experience at the Hamburg Portfolio Review
- Applications can be submitted till 16th April 2023 by students from across the Middle East
Dubai, UAE – 29 March 2023 – Canon Middle East has once again opened its prestigious Canon Student Development Programme (CSDP) for applications, marking its seventh iteration of the programme that has supported hundreds of aspiring photographers in taking the first vital steps towards a career in photojournalism. The industry-leading initiative offers access and exposure to experienced professionals from the photographic community, the opportunity to attend key industry events, and for learning and development. This year’s programme again offers financial support and gives young photographers a platform to launch their careers.
The programme is open to students and interns1 residing in the Middle East who are at least 18 years of age on 16th April 2023, or those who have completed their course in the 2022-23 academic year. A further 10 places are available for talent nominated by industry professionals, regardless of where they are in their education journey. A panel of editors from Getty Images, Reuters, AFP and EPA will select the initial 100-strong cohort of the region’s most promising young visual storytellers.
Submissions are invited until 16th April 2023 and aspirants can fill the online form [RA1] and add their portfolio within the genre of photojournalism or documentary photography. They will need an ID and an adequate proficiency in English to take part. With a maximum of two projects, submissions can comprise up to 20 images each, a description of the project(s), image captions and a personal bio.
100 participants will be accepted onto the Canon Student Development Programme 2023 and will be notified by 5th May 2023.
Canon Ambassador Muhammed Muheisen, Photographer and Founder of Everyday Refugees Foundation is one of the 37 mentors in the program and has supported the program for several years. He said, “Canon aims to foster young talent for entrepreneurship and enable them to tap career advancement opportunities with this annual learning and development programme. Youth in the region need growth opportunities such as these to be part of the development of the creative and cultural sectors in the region, that are now receiving governmental and societal support. The UAE, for example, aims to become an international destination for creativity and has unveiled a national strategy to grow its cultural and creative Industries, intending to expand the size and capabilities of the two sectors and increase their contribution to 5 per cent of GDP over the next decade. I am delighted to contribute towards this Canon initiative, identifying and mentoring regional creative talent and helping in the journey to achieve their potential.”
One-to-one mentorships
The selected 100 students will be partnered up with one of the programme’s expert mentors, with the aim to discuss their current work and longer-term career aspirations in dedicated one-to-one sessions. Virtual reviews throughout summer will help refine their portfolio and project synopsis – with a particular focus on exploring different editing options and ways to further strengthen narrative skills and develop authorial signatures.
Girona workshop and Visa pour l’Image in Perpignan, France
In September, up to 30 students will be invited to a five-day Canon workshop in a grand Catalan farmhouse in Girona, Spain, concluding with a final night’s stay at the Visa pour l’Image international photojournalism festival in Perpignan, France.
The workshop will offer an intimate forum to exchange ideas and build relationships with renowned professionals from the world of photography, such as award-winning photojournalist Brent Stirton, Head of Photography at The Guardian, Fiona Shields and Lars Lindemann, Director of Photography at Germany’s GEO Magazine. Group portfolio reviews offer a rich learning opportunity for students and a chance to both critique the work of their fellow peers, as well as receive professional feedback on their own. Canon Ambassador Paolo Verzone will also deliver a practical hands-on lighting masterclass for participants.
Aside from taking in the key exhibitions and evening screenings during Visa pour l’Image, students will also have the opportunity to participate in additional portfolio reviews and further expand their network.
Hamburg Portfolio Review
After finessing their portfolio and learning how to present their work in the various programme modules, a final group of five mentees will be given the opportunity to attend Hamburg Portfolio Review. During a three-day trip, each student will take part in individual portfolio reviews and attend a series of exclusive media appointments with key editors in the industry. Each participant will also receive a €2,000 grant and top-of-the-line Canon equipment to support their next creative chapter.
CSDP has established itself as an invaluable springboard to the next generation of photojournalists. Former alumni have gone on to work for reputable news agencies and internationally renowned publications, such as 2021 alumni Chiara Negrello, whose work has since been regularly featured in the New York Times, 2022 alumni Vasilis Tsiolis, whose intimate portrayal of nomadic goat herders in Greece has been covered by the Guardian, and Swiss-based Sara Affolter, who has been supported by her CSDP mentor Ulla Lohmann throughout the process of publishing her first book on animal rights.
To apply to be a part of the 2023 Canon Student Development Programme or view the entry criteria, please visit: https://en.canon-me.com/get-involved/student-development-programme/
Link needs to be amended to Sign up for Canon Student Development Programme news & updates – Canon Middle East (canon-me.com) [RA1] [RA1]
