PHOTO-TEXT - JOURNALISM
summer 2010

Journalism: text or photo

In summer 2010, journalists - with or without camera, are invited to several competitions on social or cultural themes. Fashionoffice introduces two competitions and one exhibition.

Call for photojournalists

The invitation to the 'Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award' was sent in June 2010. It is the second year that the French financial management company 'Carmignac Gestion' calls professional photojournalists to submit a reportage on a theme that moves the world; last year, it was the Gaza strip and the conflict between Israel and Palestine. This year, the French organizers are calling for reports on 'Pashtunistan', the region between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Carmignac Gestion declares its aims as follows: "Carmignac Gestion aims to support photojournalism since it demands courage, audacity, freedom and determination. Each year, a reportage subject that is directly linked to current events is suggested to international, professional photojournalists." The awarded reportage will receive 50,000 Euros in support; included are an exhibition and full backing to develop, promote and distribute the reportage.

On the website of Carmignac Gestion Photojournalism Award, the finalists of last year's award are published. Eman Mohammed, a Palestinian female photojournalist, is the winner of the judges' Special Prize of Carmignac Gestion Award 2009. Her work shows the situation of women in the Gaza strip with a sensuality that moves.

Exhibition on photojournalism

By looking through the images of the young Palestinian photographer Eman Mohammed, the work of another photojournalist comes into remembrance: the images by Magnum member Steve McCurry. The co-operative Magnum is legendary. It was founded in 1947 by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, George Rodger and David ‘Chim’ Seymour. The members of Magnum Photos see themselves as chroniclers of our world.

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (UK) exhibits the work of Steve McCurry in a retrospective over 20 years from 26 June until 17 October 2010. One of the most bespoken images by Steve McCurry is the 'Afghan Girl' from Peshawar in Pakistan, taken in 1984. The image of the young green-eyed girl appeared for the first time on the cover of National Geographic in June 1985. Soon it became a symbol of the Afghan conflict. "The thing I want people to take away from my work is this human connection between all of us… there’s a kind of commonality between all of us. Despite our religion, language or ethnicity, we’re all basically the same," Steve McCurry. Originally Steve McCurry wanted to make films, but has chosen photography for telling his stories.

Call for textjournalists

For the ones who are telling their stories with words, there are many other chances to find a platform like the 'Grazer Kunstverein' (Austria) offers now. Journalists are invited to send exhibition reviews in German or English language on one or more exhibitions of the Grazer Kunstverein that took place in the last five years or will take place until the deadline on 30 November 2010. The exhibitions from the last years and details on the competition are published on the website of the Grazer Kunstverein.


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