Back in Lebanon after only a few months – you never quite know in this work where you’ll end up and how quickly you’ll be back. This trip so different from most that I take in that it’s centered mostly around training – while all of my others are for photos and stories. Working here with OTI – the Office of Transition Initiatives – part of USAID here in Lebanon. They work with local partners to build their capacity in a range of areas. Each day this week I’ve been giving trainings on how to take better photos. It’s a training I’ve given often enough before, and one that’s catching on with a lot of NGO’s because of the huge need that exists out there for better photos from NGO staff and partners.
The idea first took root years ago when I used to edit newsletters for Catholic Relief Services. Often I would see the same kinds of mistakes repeated over and over again in the photos staff brought back from the field. 13 years later I still see those same mistakes being constantly repeated in the photos used by other NGO’s. After a few hours of class time, looking over a wide range of photos and discussing what works and what doesn’t, we head outside to take photos, then come back in, upload the shots we just took, and collectively look them over, deciding what we like and what we don’t like.
The feedback has been great, I think because it’s very hands on and very practical. The shots people have come back with after only a few hours of class time have been fantastic as well, I have to say.
Fourth time now in Lebanon. Always a fascinating trip, for so many reasons.
May 21st, 2009 | by David in Travel | 1 Comment
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All Material © 2008 David Snyder
May 23rd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Hello from the Skagit Valley!
Iris blooming, swallows nesting, kitties purring. And your stories adding color to our home.
Be safe, keep sharing.
Love,
Paula and Jeff
Rockport, WA, USA