Last week I wrote a post examining how the failure of international NGO’s to employ local photographers could have a negative effect on human rights and governance in developing countries.
My argument was basically that international NGOs tend to employ international photographers instead of local ones. There are I’m sure good reasons for this. However it cuts off one of the most important revenue steams for local photographers, many who can’t sustain a living and inevitability give up photography. This has an impact on the ability for local people to report local stories, which weakens local journalism and with it political accountability.
I’ve had two interesting responses, both worth a shout.
Bruno De Cock is the Photo Editor at MSF. He’s responsible for developing some of the most interesting and challenging photography about humanitarianism on the web, and is someone I really respect. MSF have a strong commitment to using photography as an advocacy tool. He writes,
‘I think the situation in Asia is different than in Africa. Sadly enough African photographers seem to have a lot more trouble getting access to useful tools like the internet and a website, which makes it harder to find local talent.
I recently checked the list of photographers participating in the African Photography Festival in Mali and was dissapointed to find that most selected photographers are no longer living in their country of origin.’
Bruno makes good points. Of course the reason though that there are so few African photographers living in their country of origin that are featured at the festival is in part because they could not sustain a living from photography. It’s a vicious circle.
Since then Dolphine Email, an internationally award winning Kenyan photographer has got in touch with A Developing Story. She writes,
I am a good photographer thanks to my interaction with great international photographers that were kind enough to share their knowledge. I am currently under the mentorship of one great photographer who will not stop until African photographers earn their place in the world.
It is true though that if a fellow local photographer or I were to walk into an international NGO’s office asking for work against an international photographer, even with a very impressive portfolio, guess who gets the job… you are right.
I am fortunate not to be dependent on my photography, I’d be a pauper if that were the case.
It’s not the international photographer’s fault, you can’t blame them, they like everyone else are looking to make a living and won’t complain if at the moment they get to keep the whole pie… the NGO on the other hand, facilitate this. Their excuse, he/she has experience.
Well a photographer may have experience with his tool of trade – the camera – but in storytelling, to be fair one must understand the issue like the back of their hand… that is the local photographer, this photographer has the experience in the issue and will most probably present it in balance way.
The local photographer was there when the issue started…is there as it goes on…will be there to follow up the aftermath. He/she doesn’t have to go back home after five weeks because of the budget. But most important, he/she sees him/herself in the subject’s shoes… thus treats the subject differently, with more respect… this could be them in a flash of a second.
When two opposing parties are in conflict… there may be bloodshed… but in the midst of it, there may be two people from the same opposing parties getting married.
Sometimes the issue is not always black and white, there’re grey areas and they too matter even if they represent the minority opinion.
That is what the local photographer brings to the table most of the time. That just like any other community, we are diverse, have different opinions and it isn’t always hopeless. That people in a slum have many problems but they chat with their neighbors and yes laugh.
I challenge you to go online and compare the images projecting Africans as suffering to those projecting them as happy… by international photographers… the suffering tips the scale.
Yes the images of conflict and suffering bring to attention issues that need addressing and may get worse if ignored…it is unfair to project us as the miserable, hopeless people because guess what… we are happy most of the time… even in the midst of the chaos that surround us… and the world needs to know that side too.’
A Developing Story would like to thank Bruno and Dolphine for their thoughtful contributions.
related posts
“That is what the local photographer brings to the table most of the time. That just like any other community, we are diverse, have different opinions and it isn’t always hopeless”
No truer words spoken!
The neglect of local photographers is a well recognised one. The problem is that very few people are connected enough to change the situation.
The debate is simultaneously eye-opening but also frustrating. I guess I can only say well done to A Developing Story for targeting the NGO’s who ARE in a position to change the inequity.
This would be an amazing discussion for the race, diversity, photography symposium but I have no idea how to frame it.
At the very least, I’d like to see a directory of photographers (in Africa and beyond) that could be tapped by news organisations.
Hi Pete,
I think adevelopingstory and duckrabbit can certainly host that debate as part of the symposium. I think we do have to be prepared to call NGO’s out for at times using overly manipulative photography. My impression though is that they just don’t know anything better. Its complex though isn’t it.
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