Martika Shakoor, PSC Advanced Diploma student, talks about her experience with the PSC/Amnesty International Australia Photographers Network. She is a second-generation Afghan who is specialising in photojournalism and documentary photography. Along with her keen interest in human rights, she was an ideal candidate to be trained by Amnesty International as a volunteer photographer, given photographic briefs and accompany active campaigners to document events. Continuing this year, this initiative aims to provide PSC students with new opportunities to gain experience as working photographers and extend their network.
Cutting My Teeth in Documentary Photography for Human Rights Events With Amnesty
Topics: education, interview, part time, Part Time Course, part time photography, photographers, photography courses melbourne, photography school, photojournalism, student bios, studying photography, women in photography, diploma of photography, Indigenous Australians, learning photography, part time courses, Part Time Photography Course, photographer, photography, photography courses Australia, photography studies, Photography Tips, professional photography, Student of the year, Students, Mentoring, Photojournalist, sports photography, photojounalism, Latest Blogs, In the Press, PSC Staff Member, PSC Student
The smoke was slowly spiralling from the woman’s ear as the surgeon leaned over to complete her work.
The doctor was performing a middle ear operation for a patient on The Lifeline Express, a train that has been converted into a travelling hospital. The train journeys across India to poor, remote villages, and the medical staff from India and overseas donate their services for free. On this occasion, we were parked at the Wardha railway station in the state of Maharashtra while the medical staff performed surgery and provided treatment for polio, cleft palates, middle ear infections, cataracts and dental conditions.
Documentary photographers are often accused of focussing on the negative side of life, only taking pictures of dead bodies, conflict and misery. One critic claimed that some photographers climb over loving couples, cooing babies and contented grandparents in order to shoot the only negative aspect of an event. To a certain extent the critics are right but I don’t believe this is always the truth.
For instance, in my project about Village Life, I am trying to look not only for the challenges facing rural communities but also the joy, rewards and life enhancing moments that can be found in villages.
Recently, I was in Italy photographing Italo Mondovecchio, a farmer from Tuscany. “Can I get my chicken?” Italo asked. He returned from the shed tenderly holding a beautiful looking bird. I lifted the camera to take the portrait and immediately Italo burst into song serenading, with gusto, his best friend, the rooster.
Topics: documentary photography, photojournalism, michael coyne, Mentoring
PSC's Steph Doran presents to Osaka Food and Tourism Seminar
As part of the 40 years Sister City Relationship between Melbourne City Council and Osaka City Council an Australian delegation visited Osaka last week. One of the highlights organized by Osaka City Council was the Osaka Food and Tourism seminar which explored opportunities for Osaka based on Melbourne’s great success in this area.
Photography Studies College's Osaka-based Japan- Australia Educational Liaison Officer, Steph Doran was one of four guest presenters at the seminar. Her presentation, delivered in Japanese, featured photographs of Osaka and Melbourne, including her own and a number shot by PSC students. She highlighted the food and coffee culture of both cities, their similarities and differences. Her lively presentation was enthusiastically received by a predominantly Japanese audience drawing on her knowledge of the great food culture of both cities.Other presenters included Professor Shinya Hashizume from Osaka Prefecture University, Councillor Philip Le Liu from Melbourne City Council and Mr David Lawson, Australia’s Consul General in Japan.
Topics: photography graduates, photojournalism, Street Photography, Travel Photography, steph doran, Japan, International Photography Tours, Graduate Exhibition, Dr Michael Coyne, Photojournalist, Osaka City, Melbourne City Council, Discover Japan Tour, Osaka, In the Press
Senior Fellow Michael Coyne writes about a recent assignment in Asia
Waiting is a big part of my working life as a photojournalist. Waiting to be contacted, waiting for permission, waiting for the light and waiting for the right moment to happen. Recently, I was waiting at a Timor Leste prison for permission to photograph the inmates. I sat behind the metal bars watching the sun going down hoping we could start taking pictures before it got too dark. Getting into a prison as a photographer is not always easy. Permission has to come from the guards, warden and often politicians, all of which takes time. Everyone has a vested interest in what I see and photograph except regrettably the prisoners themselves. Waiting was uncomfortable, the buckled chair wobbled and threatened to collapse each time I moved. Across the compound I could see men with the word prisoner, emblazoned in bold letters on their shirts. I’ve photographed prisons in other countries. Sometimes it’s easy to get in and on other occasions I’ve waited days, weeks, even months to be told no, I can’t come in. Once when I was at a prison in the Philippines a guard with a gun strapped across his chest, performed karaoke for me as I waited to meet the prisoners. On this occasion I was lucky. I got permission, passed security, went through the gates and then I waited for the prisoners, also the captive audience of the guard’s karaoke via loudspeakers. A poorly performed Elvis Presley numbers doesn’t make waiting any easier!
Topics: documentary photography, photojournalism, timor leste, Mentoring, Dr Michael Coyne, Photojournalist
Ian Lloyd shares his tips with PSC’s photojournalism major students
Topics: Highlight, photojournalism, Time, Travel Photography, Advanced Diploma, Apple, Bill Bachman, Business Tips, careers, diploma of photography, Event, Exxon, Ian Lloyd, melbourne, Melbourne Polytechnic, national geographic, Part Time Photography Course, photographer, photography studies, Photography Tips, professional photography, Published Work, RMIT, Students
Ian Lloyd shares his tips with PSC’s photojournalism major students
Topics: Highlight, photojournalism, Time, Travel Photography, Advanced Diploma, Apple, Bill Bachman, Business Tips, careers, diploma of photography, Event, Exxon, Ian Lloyd, melbourne, Melbourne Polytechnic, national geographic, Part Time Photography Course, photographer, photography studies, Photography Tips, professional photography, Published Work, RMIT, Students
Gaining Success in Photojournalism While Studying at PSC
Justice Cameron is currently in her 3rd year of being at PSC and is seeing wonderful success as a freelance photojournalist. She is regularly approached by news networks on Channel 7, Channel 9 and Channel 10, for her stories.
Topics: australia, Highlight, photojournalism, Geelong Advertiser, Staff
Gaining Success in Photojournalism While Studying at PSC
Justice Cameron is currently in her 3rd year of being at PSC and is seeing wonderful success as a freelance photojournalist. She is regularly approached by news networks on Channel 7, Channel 9 and Channel 10, for her stories.
Topics: australia, Highlight, photojournalism, Geelong Advertiser, Staff
Many of you may be familiar with the way we create opportunities for our students as they hone their talents in their specific areas of photography. One of the most notable Industry Engagement Programs at PSC is our tie up with The Age newspaper. Specifically organised for those in the photojournalism major, the internship gives selected students a chance to work with staff photographers from The Age, as well as the experience of working 'independently to produce a range of published work in various sections of the paper'.
Topics: Highlight, photojournalism, The Age, Internship, photography, Students
Many of you may be familiar with the way we create opportunities for our students as they hone their talents in their specific areas of photography. One of the most notable Industry Engagement Programs at PSC is our tie up with The Age newspaper. Specifically organised for those in the photojournalism major, the internship gives selected students a chance to work with staff photographers from The Age, as well as the experience of working 'independently to produce a range of published work in various sections of the paper'.
Topics: Highlight, photojournalism, The Age, Internship, photography, Students