Photography News

Washington, March 26, 2010 /PN/ A group of Barbadian youth will have a unique opportunity to document their environment with photography during National Geographic Photo Camp Barbados. From March 27 to 31, students from nine public schools will photograph, edit and design a portrait of water conservation efforts with National Geographic photographers Sam Abell and Matt Moyer at Cadet Camp, Paragon, in Christ Church, Barbados. The camp is being held in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Bridgetown in Barbados and the Barbados Museum and Historical Society.

During the four-day workshop, Abell and Moyer together with Photo Camp staff will mentor the students as they expand their understanding of water issues central to their lives. Abell, Moyer and camp staff will brief them on photographic vision, equipment and technique, and lead them through the process of creating a story through photography and writing. The assignments and activities will focus on water scarcity, conservation, the beauty of water and how its forces have shaped the island. Camp staff will help the students document these issues in a meaningful way.

"We hope Photo Camp Barbados will provide local youngsters with a unique lens on the world and motivate them to care about and conserve water and the extraordinary diversity of life it sustains," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president, Mission Programs. "This is in line with National Geographic's mission to inspire people to care about the planet, and we are pleased to participate in this endeavor."

Participants, their families and the community are invited to a final presentation of the students' work on Wednesday, March 31, at The Errol Barrow Center for Creative Imagination, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill.

Cameras for the Photo Camp have been provided by Olympus Imaging America Inc. Memory cards have been donated to the Photo Camp program by PNY Technologies.

National Geographic Photo Camp has provided programs for more than 1,000 young people in over 45 locations since 2003. Photo Camps are also being held this year in Biscayne Bay, Fla.; Crimea, Ukraine; and Chad. Visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp for more information.

Abell has contributed to National Geographic magazine for 40 years, documenting over 20 stories and producing eight books on a variety of cultural and wilderness topics. He is the author of "Seeing Gardens" and "Stay This Moment," a mid-career retrospective accompanied by an exhibition at the International Center of Photography, New York. He is also a teacher and artist.

Moyer, a contributing photographer for National Geographic magazine and other national publications, has been committed to telling stories that put a human face on today's news for the past 15 years. He has worked on three stories for National Geographic, including "The Sinai: A Separate Peace" in the March 2009 issue.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,200 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.