An exhibition by aspiring journalists from the troubled tribal showcasing photographs of ancient architecture and visually stunning sites across Pakistan opened at a hotel in Islamabad on Thursday, said a press release issued by the US embassy.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) acting director Rodger Garner inaugurated the photo camp which exhibited works of 15 young journalists from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) who had participated in a six-day training camp sponsored by USAID.
“It is not often that we see positive stories — stories of courage, stories of promise, stories of hope — coming from FATA, but perhaps you all will be the ones to tell them. I certainly have every confidence that you can,” said Garner at the exhibition.
The photo camp offered participants the chance to explore through the camera’s lens visually striking sites such as the vibrant Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi, the ancient Buddhist ruins at Taxila and the pristine valleys of Nathia Gali. The young photographers attending the workshop hail from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds in the tribal areas and range in age from 19 to 25.
The training was conducted in partnership with the Washington DC-based National Geographic Society, whose magazine is internationally renowned for its extraordinary photography and research articles. The event was designed to enhance the journalists’ photography skills so that they can better tell their stories through visual images.
National Geographic photographers Amy Toensing, Tyrone Turner and Matt Moyer led the workshop, while cameras for the photo camp were provided by Olympus Imaging America.
The camp was not only a unique opportunity for the participants to learn new skills from world-class photographers, but a chance to meet other youth from across Fata with a passion for photography and to share with them the stories of their communities.
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest non-profit scientific and educational organisations.
Founded in 1888 to increase and disseminate geographic knowledge, the society works to inspire people to care about the planet. The society has provided programs for more than 1,000 young people in over 60 locations since 2003.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2012.
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