Photography helps children in Sierra Leone realize their right to self-expression

Photo copyright: UNICEF/Davies/2009

For the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF featured a series of stories about this landmark international agreement on the basic human rights of all children.

Children were loaned digital cameras and received basic photography training from renowned Italian photographer Luca Babini. In Sierra Leone, cameras and computers are luxury for children, especially those living in rural areas. Access to the Internet is limited to the capital and provincial towns.

As a result of these trainings, UNICEF – in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs – produced a photo booklet consisting of pictures taken by the children. The booklet expresses the views of children on an array of social issues, such as education, child labour and early marriage.

For more info visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sierraleone_51800.html

Photo Competition

Shoot Nations is an annual, global photography competition for young people. Each year focusses on a different global issue and the photographs produced are presented to the United Nations in New York. The theme for this year's competition is CITY LIVING.

Judges chose this theme as more than 50% of the world’s population now live in urban areas. Images which depict everyday life in the world’s cities are expected, from London to Lagos.

Shoot Nations leader George Anang’a says, “This year we want to use the cities theme to build a picture of what urban environments mean to young people whilst focusing on the movement of people and the impact this has on the surrounding environment.”

The competition is free to enter for any photographer under 25, and is split into two categories, 11-16 years and 17-25 years. Entrants can submit up to 3 shots each, along with a brief explanation of why each photo demonstrates ‘City Living’.

For more information on the competition visit the Shoot Nations homepage.

Photo Competition for Young People

Digital Camera Magazine's Young Photographer of the Year 2010 is now open for entries.

This year, teachers can download resource packs for running classes on photography from Key Stage 1-4 to encourage learning about photography at school. If you’re under 18, or know a young person who is, why not enter. Entry is free and you have until 14 Sept 2010 to submit shots. Winners are announced in December.

More information can be found on the Digital Camera Young Photographer of the Year website.

I Wanna Take Me a Picture by Wendy Ewald

Another good book from Wendy Ewald. Written especially for parents and teachers its an accessible and practical guide to getting children involved in photography. Striking photographs of children"s work show the benefits of her programs. You can buy it on Amazon and read reviews at: http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/0807031410/mockerybird/ref=nosim

You can also read more about Wendy Ewald and her work on wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Ewald

The Best Part of Me - Children talk about their bodies in words and pictures by Wendy Ewald

This is a great book from one of my favourite community photographers - Wendy Ewald. School children select a favorite body part to photograph and then write a poem or story about it. I use the book alot in my workshops exploring similar themes. It helps to inspire children and give them ideas. You can buy it on Amazon and read reviews at: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Part-Me-Children-Pictures/dp/0316703060

You can also read more about Wendy Ewald and her work on wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Ewald