14/07/2009
The world’s premier photojournalism exhibition returns to the Parliament this August, for the fourth year running, with a series of unique events – including one featuring Time magazine photographer Callie Shell talking about her experience following President Obama on the campaign trail.
The World Press Photo (WPP) exhibition is being held at Holyrood for the fourth time as part of the annual Festival of Politics and features the winning photographs from this year’s competition which powerfully documents people, places and situations from across the globe.
On Tuesday 25 August, World Press Photo 2009 winner and Time magazine photographer Callie Shell will speak about her time following President Obama on the campaign trail and share tricks of the trade when it comes to taking pictures of one of the most important politicians of a generation. Her insider’s guide forms just one of a range of specially-tailored events created for this year’s Festival of Politics in recognition of the international significance of World Press Photo. It runs alongside the exhibition from 7 August to 5 September (excluding Sundays and Friday 28 August).
Other events include a discussion on the current challenges facing photojournalists with renowned Magnum photographer Donovan Wylie, an exclusive guided tour of the winning photographs from exhibition curator Erik de Kruijf and a masterclass from award-winning sports photographers Ian Rutherford and Alan MacDonald.
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP said, “We are privileged to welcome back the World Press Photo exhibition for this, its fourth year at the Festival. The exhibition travels to 100 cities in 50 countries and features stunning images from some of the best photojournalists in the world. With the Festival of Politics now in its fifth year and with more than 110,000 visitors so far, it is safe to say that it is an event for the people. In a climate where public disengagement with politics has become a perennial talking point, it is fantastic to see so many people coming to the Scottish Parliament and having fun.”
Background
World Press Photo receives support from the Dutch Postcode Lottery and is sponsored worldwide by Canon and TNT. For more information on this year’s Festival of Politics and a guide to the full line-up of speakers (which includes Annie Lennox, Clare Short and David Owen) go to www.festivalofpolitics.org
The full programme for the World Press Photo @ Festival of Politics is:
World Press Photo Exhibition Tour Friday 7 August 10.00 (10.45) Main Hall Free*
Join World Press Photo Exhibition Curator Erik de Kruijf as he undertakes a guided tour of the winning photographs that form the 2009 World Press Photo exhibition.
World Press Photo Exhibition Tour Monday 17 August 14.00 (14.45) Main Hall Free*
A unique opportunity to join Stephen Mayes , Secretary to the World Press Photo judging panel, as he provides an insight into the winning photographs from this year’s competition.
Select Photos Monday 17 August 17.00 (18.15) Committee Room 1 Free*
At the beginning of each year, a panel of 13 recognised experts in the field of press photography convenes in Amsterdam to select the winning photographs from the tens of thousands of entries for the World Press Photo Exhibition. Join Stephen Mayes, Secretary to the World Press Photo judging panel, as he gives a behind-the-scenes perspective on the judging process and what makes a winning photograph. Chaired by Ted Brocklebank MSP.
Moving Images Tuesday 18 August 11.00 (12.00) Committee Room 1 Free*
Photography continues to be a hugely important journalistic medium. Yet, with considerable changes in the technology of taking photos and the shift from print to online news media, what are the challenges faced by photojournalists today? 2008 World Press Photo winner, Lana Slezic, and renowned Magnum photographer, Donovan Wylie, discuss the issues facing photojournalists today, and the challenges of working in war-zones across the globe. Chaired by Stephen Maye , Secretary to the World Press Photo judging panel.
Photography Masterclass – Sports Photography Tuesday 25 August 11.00 (13.00) Committee Room 5 Free*
Award-winning Scotsman photographers Ian Rutherford and Alan MacDonald share stories from their long experience as sports photographers, discussing the shots they captured and the ones they missed. Photographers are invited to bring examples of work for discussion and review.
Capturing The President Tuesday 25 August 17.00 (18.00) Committee Room 1 Free*
World Press Photo 2009 winner and Time magazine photographer Callie Shell provides an insight to the time she has spent cataloguing Barack Obama’s campaign to become President and his first months in the White House. Join her to discover the challenges involved with photographing possibly the most important politician of a generation. Chaired by Dr Tom Normand, author of Scottish Photograph: A History.
Photography Masterclass – Architectural Photography Wednesday 26 August 11.00 (13.00) Committee Room 5 Free*
Renowned photographer Niall Hendrie shares his experiences of photographing the construction of the new Scottish Parliament building. Photographers are invited to bring examples of work for discussion and review.