South Africas legacy of photojournalism has produced some of the most enduring images of our time.
The lingering impact of what some photographers managed to achieve during apartheid propelled photojournalism in South Africa into an exciting and fast-paced career option.
But the less public face of photography holds it own challenges and attractions too, says John Fleetwood, head of the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg.
Fleetwood says that changed political times should not mean a dip in the career profile of photography.
The subject matter may now be less newsworthy, but there are still human stories to tell, there is still truth to be captured in images, says Fleetwood.
He stresses that careers in photography are diverse and include the street photographer, the wedding photographer and those who shoot for magazines and ad agencies.
The culture of street photography in a place like Joubert Park … is so well established that the reputable photographers who work there are able to make a living wage from what they do, he says.
Fleetwood says there are always opportunities for people to take advantage of gaps in the markets such as large social gatherings or international photo stock agencies.
And, he says, photography doesnt need to be too costly. A good digital camera costs about R3 000 and additional consumables such as a printer and photographic paper can be bought as a photographer becomes more established.
A good course can polish skills and give students a better understanding of visual literacy and the grounding to create better images.
The Market Photo Workshop includes a life skills component in its courses as a way for students to gain business management skills. Trainers are all working professionals and courses range from beginner to NQF 5 level.
Fleetwood believes that anyone can be taught photographic skills and that an artistic slant is not essential, nor are computer skills for photographic manipulation.
He adds: You also dont need a certain type of personality because photography reflects society, and the field is, therefore, so broad.
As for the reasons to do photography, he says: Its a critical exercise because you get to choose what you want to photograph, you reflect on the world around you, youre always interacting with people and at the end of it youre producing something tangible that is adding to the archive of South African life.
For photography students Tumelo Leburu and Kgaugelo Hlaka, who are both completing one-year courses at the workshop, careers in photography will, they believe, be the ultimate expression for their artistic visions.
I have been interested in photography since an early age; I think in photography you can really express yourself and it opens your mind. Im fascinated with the use of photography in the advertising field and thats the industry Id like to work in when I finish the course, says Leburu.
For Hlaka, photography is a more practical avenue into which she can channel her creative energy.
I have a background in the arts but I wanted to learn something more practical. This is a lot of hard work and sometimes you get home and youre finished, but its worth it, she says.
The Market Photo Workshop can be contacted on Tel: (011) 832 1641. The Tshwane University of Technology offers a three-year degree course in photography. Contact it on Tel: (012) 318 6133 and check out the website, www.tut.ac.za/tut_web/