Malawian photography shunning global test?
Despite strides local photography has made lately, the industry’s players appear to be shunning global competitions.
This is in light of revelations that no Malawian photographer has recently participated in the annual World Press Photo contest, according to judge and African Jury chairperson Angela Jimu.
“We don’t know why Malawian photographers do not find the platform attractive. Maybe it is lack of publicity on the part of the organisation or lack of interest by the photographers. It would be good to have Malawian photographers participating in the contest,” she said.
In reaction, Photographers Association of Malawi (Photama) president Lucky Mkandawire said the development could be because African photographers have rarely emerged winners.
He said in an interview yesterday: “Since the introduction of the competition in 1955, winners have come from about seven countries. South Africa is the only country to have ever produced a winner out of the 14 Sadc countries that have participated.
“So, most photographers got frustrated to be part of the contest.”
Mkandawire said their lack of participation in the global contest is not as a result of lack of capacity as previously local photographers have triumphed in regional contests.
He, however, admitted that World Press Photo contest is competitive and, therefore, not easy for one to emerge among the best.
This week, organisers of the global contest have started receiving entries for the 2022 edition. To participate in the competition, one needs to be working as a professional photographer and entry is free.
According to Jimu, they are hoping that through the awareness drive they have embarked on, Malawian photographers will take an interest in the contest. Submission of entries for the competition closes on January 10.
The contest is in four categories such as singles, stories, long-term projects and open format. When African photographers submit their work, it is judged by a panel of African judges and the winners qualify for a world contest where one winner is drawn.
Jimu said over the years, the competition has grown to include all countries in the world.
“Now they have a new model which is organised in regions. They have the African, Asian, South and North American regions.”
Winners stand a chance of winning 1 000 pounds as a regional prize and 5 000 pounds as a global prize. The contest recognises photography produced over the last year.
