Young Photographers

Voice 1:
Hello. I’m Marina Santee.

Voice 2:
And I’m Rachel Hobson. Welcome to Spotlight. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 1:
Two girls stand opposite each other. They stretch out their hands to reach each other. Behind their joined hands the sun sets. I cannot see their faces. I do not know their race or religion. What does this picture say? To me, it says, unity does not have to know limits.

Voice 2:
Green fields stretch for many kilometres. A man stands on his small two wheeled cart. A horse pulls him forward. Together, they work the field. What does this picture say? To me it says, life is hard work.

Voice 1:
Wide eyes look into a camera. The light falls on a face. It shows a girl – she is fifteen, sixteen maybe. Her eyes are dark. They look straight at the camera. In front of her is a model of the world. What do her eyes say? To me, they look like they are asking for help.

Voice 2:
These pictures and messages are all from photographs. Using cameras, young people have taken these photographs. They have used them to express their feelings. They have even used them to influence and change the world around them. In today’s Spotlight we look at the power of photographs.

Voice 1:
The pictures described above are all part of an international competition. It is especially for young people. It is organised by ‘Shoot Nations.’ This group encourages young people to ‘shoot’ or ‘film’ pictures in their nations. In this way they can ‘capture the world through their eyes.’ Photography is their tool of expression.

Voice 2:
In 2007, the group is asking young people these questions: What saddens you? What can you do about it? Who listens to you? Who do you look up to? Who rules your country? The idea is that young people record their answers in photographs. The winning photographs will be part of photography shows in major world cities – London, Madrid, Delhi and Dakar!

Voice 1:
‘Shoot Nations’ is a new project. It is formed by two groups – ‘Plan’ and ‘Shoot Experience.’ Plan is a community development organisation. It centres on children. Plan works in over sixty countries around the world. It deals with the causes of poverty. Plan works with children, families and communities. The group’s aim is to build a world where children are healthy, safe – and know their self worth.

Voice 2:
‘Plan’ works with ‘Shoot Experience’. This is a photography group. Through photographs, Shoot Experience connects people, ideas and cities. The group encourages people to record pictures of the world around them. They can record their ideas, questions and answers! Together, these groups hope that Shoot Nations will encourage young people to get involved in their communities, and in the world.

Voice 1:
Shoot Nations recognises the work of similar groups. All over the world there are skilled photography groups. They are using pictures to express their feelings, educate others and improve the world around them – wherever it is!

Voice 2:
The Mwelu Foundation is a project in one of the most unlikely places. It is in the Mathare Valley Slum of Nairobi, Kenya. The group uses photography to reach young people in the slum. Workers provide children with simple cameras. They encourage them to capture ‘everything that is good and bad’ in their daily lives.