Do you own a camera? Are you currently in Zambia? I’d like you to share in a photography survey with me.
A year ago, Georgina Smith, a freelance journalist, asked me to participate in a survey. The survey looked at how photography in Zambia might differ from other regions:
Photography from the developing/majority world - how it differs from other representations
Does photography from African countries conform to stereotypes? To what extent does negative representation of the continent have a social impact?
- Do you think that Zambia, and Africa as a continent, is represented negatively in the international media?
- Do you think that stereotypes are often reinforced? Can you give an example?
- Do you think this has any impact on society in general? If yes, why?
- Do you think there is any difference between the way local photographers take pictures representing the country / continent, and the way foreigners represent it?
- Do you try and represent a different view of Zambia or Africa when you make photographs?
- If yes, how do you do this? Do you encounter any challenges in doing this?
- If you could change current stereotypes of Africa, what would they be and why?
I submitted my responses to Georgina and am yet to hear back from her on the results (did I pass?). No matter, she has a busy schedule. However, it has inspired me to see what you think of the survey.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So, why don’t we answer the questions using pictures.
*Hint—if you’d like to schedule uploading your photos, you can use a tool like Parade.
That’s it!
We’ll run this until Tuesday, 4th September 2012, and see what we can look back on.
See you then.