Posted on Sep 22, 2011

Young photographers focus on everyday life

By Jennifer Hind

Royal Gazette

 

For the first time, this year the Bermuda National Gallery offered Youth Camera Action as a summer programme. BTC’s sponsorship enabled 56 teenagers to join YCA for the first time. It was an exciting summer as instructor Rohan Shastri, assisted by Amelie Smith and Jasmine Cooke, led students through a series of intensive one-week courses, concluding with a mini-exhibition and artists’ talk.

“Youth Camera Action impacts the youth of Bermuda in such a positive, vibrant way,” observed Dany Pen, Bermuda National Gallery Education Director. “It leads them into self-exploration, builds self-esteem, and enables them to play a social role in the community, by participating in events such as the Cancer Awareness Campaign and the End-to-End Walk. YCA is not only a photography programme; it is also a social programme that allows our youth to be a positive peer influence in our community and be active citizens of Bermuda.”

Among the organisations that graciously opened their facilities to the young photographers this summer were the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo, Bermuda National Museum, BSMART, Dolphin Quest, the Jackson School of Dance and the Anglican Cathedral.

Now registration for the Youth Camera Action programme for the school term is open. Thanks to the sponsorship of the Catlin End-to-End the middle school photography programme can continue to be offered free of charge. Sponsorship enables teens to learn the art of making photographs, while getting to know themselves, their peers, and their community. Central to the programme is the development of creative identities. Students are encouraged to take creative risks and have fun expressing themselves.

Students will learn the basic principles of composition and photography, including how to use a digital camera, as well as the manual mode. Though they will be based at the Bermuda National Gallery (City Hall), participants will travel to various photo locations. Classes are held each week and the participants can choose one of several class times: Tuesday or Thursday from 3.30pm to 5pm or Saturday, 10am to 11.30am or 12pm to 1.30pm. To enroll in a class, contact Dany Pen, education@bng.bm or telephone 295-9428.

Winter enrolment, from January to March 2012, is available.