By Howard Moo Young, ContributorHIGH SCHOOL students in Western Jamaica are being given a unique opportunity to establish camera clubs in their schools. This is part of the 'Rural Development Programme' launched by the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation in May 2003. Already, 33 schools from five parishes have benefited.
"The aim is to start a camera club in each high school to encourage students to develop their interest and skills in photography," Virginia Turner, project manager explained.
SCHOOLS GIVEN CAMERAS
"Each school was given a 35mm Minolta Freedom Zoom Explorer Ex QD camera kit complete with one roll of film. It came complete with instructions on how to care the camera, along with a 2-year warranty and tips on 'How to shoot at night', 'How to avoid red eye' among others. The students were then asked to do a three-shot photo essay on a problem or achievement in their community".
The results and final choice of prints were then entered in the Jamaica National Building Society's 'Foundation High School Photographic Competition.'
I had the opportunity of being lead judge, along with four local photographers from the two parishes and the manager of JNBS Savanna-La-Mar Branch. As we viewed the entries from the parishes of Westmoreland and Hanover, we realised that there was much talent to be unearthed through this competition. Among the entries received, were those from Mannings High School, Petersfield Comprehensive High School, Maud McLeod High School and Godfrey Stewart High in Westmoreland. The others came from Knockalvia Technical High School and Rusea's High School in Hanover.
A one page essay describing the problem and where possible, giving suggestions on how to correct it, accompanied each photo. The subjects included 'Community Togetherness', 'The Writing on the Walls (Graffiti in my school)', 'Recreational Facilities in the Petersfield Area', 'Why I dislike the Shift System', 'Improper Garbage Disposal in my Community' and 'Deforestation: An Eminent Problem in my Community'. The competition was open to fourth and fifth formers, students ranging in age 15 to 17 years old.
The judging panel was asked to assess the entries on originality and creativity, interpretation of the problem chosen, impact and presentation. The results, and prizes including cash awards, plaques and certificates will be handed out at the 'JNBS Launch and Symposium.'
LOCAL HELP
Professional photographers in the parishes will be asked to work closely with the camera clubs within the various schools. Some of the schools lack teachers with photography experience, and none of the schools in Western Jamaica had any camera clubs in place. This situation poses a challenge to those who possess some photographic knowledge and are willing to pass it on to those willing to learn. At least 25 students from Knockalvia signed up the first day their camera club was announced and four entries from that school were received for this competition. Frome has a journalism club and is planning to use the camera as part of their programme, and Mannings will be using the camera to shoot their end-of-year exercise.
The Photography Club of Jamaica in association with the JCDC photography committee will conduct workshops soon to encourage these students to develop their skills with the camera and others in preparing their photographs for the annual exhibition. Having decided to encourage this photojournalistic approach among the high schools instead of an essay competition, the students were challenged to go into their communities and identify the problems within and do a photo essay.
The photojournalism competition formed a part of the dream of the late H. Anthony Clarke, who had commissioned a study to move rural communities forward. The idea of high school camera clubs was one of the recommendations coming out of that study. Still in the nursery stage, the pilot project was started first in Westmoreland.
"We're bringing the professionals to say to us, how can we make this exercise more meaningful for both the students, the community they are living in and for the parish in general? We're also working with the local photographers in this project", Ms. Turner said.
Howard Moo Young is a Graphic Design / Photography Consultant with over 40 years experience. E-mail:
mooimages@yahoo.com
