A short report about this year's Visa Pour L'Image via Matt Shonfeld

Visa this year was exceptional. I can only speak of my personal experiences of course, and this year was only my second time. I guess the first time you go to Visa you are so eager to meet everyone you NEED to meet, you don't really relax and enjoy the event. Now without the worries of having an agent, I had the opportunity to meet photographers and editors from all over the globe. The exhibitions were truly inspirational and the event gives you the option of hearing these photographers recount their lives and answer questions about their reasons for taking on such projects and photographing them in the way they did.

As always, even the talented veteran of photography picks up something. Canon unveiled their new toy the 5D to an appreciative audience in Perpignan this year. Philip Blenkinsop collected the Visa D'or for the second time quite deservedly and the parties were magnificent especially the closing party funded and sponsored by Canon.

This year was also the first time the night shows were presented digitally. The photographs were beautiful, with such incredible reproduction quality.

A few years ago there was some doubt to the survival of Visa pour l'image but I can't see that there is any issue for the foreseeable future. Photographers call this Mecca and they make their annual pilgrimage to this small Catalan town. Hotel beds were being reserved for next year and for sure unless barring an earthquake, tsunami or war I'll shall return.

The 2005 Korea International Documentary Photo Awards have been announced. There are two sections, a general section and one for students. Domestic and foreign professionals and students can apply. The theme is open to any general documentary photography, black and white or color, digital or film, and the deadline for applying is 31 October 2005. The awards are sponsored by Olympus Korea, The Chosun Ilbo, one of South Korea's leading newspapers, and The Society of Korean Photography.

Complete information and downloadable application forms are online.

Via Melanie Light

Fotovision is pleased to offer the first portfolio of fine prints for photography lovers. You can help us continue to invite important photographers to teach and lecture, fund our efforts to capture their teachings on film and to produce our documentary workshops by purchasing gelatin silver prints at below market prices. Fotovision offers several ways to buy either a portfolio of five prints in a handmade case or individual prints. Please visit our website for more information.

The image above, by documentary photographer and teacher Ken Light, is my favorite of the bunch. I absolutely love the way he has timed and layered the image. The cotton choppers, whose faces we do not see, have their heads bowed down to the ground and hard at work. It is an ominous reminder of how life once was and how sometimes things continue to be for an often ignored section of society. The image was shot at the Sherard Plantation in Sherard, Mississippi, in 1992.

I urge you all to support this fine print program and start collecting some great art!

I am thrilled to share with you some great news. I have been chosen to be a part of the Wedding Photojournalist Association. Open only to photographers with real photojournalism experience, this association promises to connect me with discerning cosmopolitan clients who know the difference between traditional [read = boring] photography of weddings and the much more exciting world of wedding photojournalism that I promote and offer through my company Pipal Productions.

If you or someone you know is interested in my wedding photojournalism services, please have them contact me. As a way of saying thanks to you, I offer $100 for every referred couple/client who signs on for my services.

The SAJA Convention begins on June 16. Hope you have registered and will be attending all the events. It promises to be the best convention yet!

As a sort of sideshow, I am arranging for a meet up for fellow photographers and photo editors on Thursday, June 16, 2005.

Here is the plan – we'll meet between 4.30 pm and 6 pm, before the official SAJA opening reception that night.

Here is where we will be:

Chelsea Grill
135 8th Ave
New York, NY 10011
Wed-Sat 11:30am- 4:00am
Sun-Tue 11:30am- 2:00am
Tel: (212) 242-5336

The Chelsea Grill is conveniently located near the Rubin Museum of Art where the SAJA receptiion will take place [a block and a half is my estimate].

Please email me at – sajamail [at] pipalproductions [dot] com to let me know you will be coming. Tell me who you are, whether you are a photographer or a photo editor and whether you are on staff or a freelancer. The subject of your email must be – SAJA PHOTO MEETUP.

You can bring friends, but please know that this gathering is limited to those working in the photojournalism business. If you have a particular affinity towards South Asia, great. If you would llike to work there someday and want to meet photojournalists like Shahidul Alam of the Bangladesh-based Drik photo agency, do come along and join us. Either way it should be fun.