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CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAJORITY WORLD* PHOTOGRAPHERS

posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 12:19 PM

More than 90% of the images we see of the developing world are taken by white photographers from Europe or the USA. Indigenous photographers are up against a multitude of barriers such as lack of training, modern photographic equipment, access to global image markets and also outright prejudice. The director of a leading Western photographic agency was even quoted as saying “But they don’t have the eye.”

Majority World CIC (Community Interest company) aims to create new opportunities for photographers from the developing world. The aim of the organisation is twofold: to provide a platform for indigenous photographers from Africa, Asia and South America and also to act as a catalyst to change image buying patterns through the website majorityworld.com where image buyers and the general public can access the wealth of fresh talent emerging from the majority world.

Indigenous photographers are also able to provide an authentic, balanced view being of the culture, knowing the local people, speaking the language and having an innate understanding of local context. Help to support indigenous photographers by visiting the websites and spreading the word.


* Majority World is the accurate term for what has been referred to as the developing world or the global South.

Comments
Timothy Ogene
Monday, July 16, 2007 02:14 PM

"Majority World" -where did you get that term from? i can wait to adopt... You are doing a great work...keep on.

Rebecca Narracott
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 12:13 PM

Hi Timothy, 'Majority World' is being used more and more in development circles because it comes in from a less eurocentric perspective. After all, the 'global south' is where the majority of this world's citizens live! If you know of any photographers in your neck of the woods, PLEASE send them our way as we are keen to get more photographers from all over Africa involved.

Timothy Ogene
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 12:41 PM

Hello Rebecca,i will connect them to you.I have a few of then around me.And they sure will be happy to join your organisation. Let me ask you one question, how can photography contribute to world peace and the development of the "majority world"?

Rebecca Narracott
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 12:52 PM

It's not easy to answer that briefly Timothy...but to try and do so, I'm going to quote Shahidul Alam, the director of Majority World (based in Bangladesh): “I think western media images are a distortion of what actually happens. If we’re looking at development as a long-term goal, it is about changing not only the lives of people but also changing power structures within the world. Those power structures are actually reinforced by western media images.” In other words, the development of the majority world needs to come from within and visual representation plays a large role in this. As for photography contributing to world peace...a start is to focus on positive images, not always be looking at the negative stories. Positivity breeds positivity.

Uzma Ahmed
Thursday, July 19, 2007 04:12 PM

I really appreciate what you are doing.I think this is going to be a platform for a number of photographers from developing countries to showcase their talent. Good Luck!

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