NOOR's Yuri Kozyrev has stayed very busy with his Ukraine coverage for TIME Magazine—first in Kiev, then in Crimea. His work in Kiev was TIME's cover story in their March 10 issue, and his Crimea work was featured in their March 17 issue.
Tearsheets from the Kiev cover story:
Tearsheets from the Crimea story:
Last Friday, Andrea Bruce's Afghan Americans opened at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art in Anchorage, Alaska. The exhibition runs until Saturday, March 29.
Andrea chose to photograph Afghan-Americans who came from the United States to Afghanistan after 2001 to rebuild their country. They are businessmen and artists, politicians and aid workers. Many are idealistic believers in the democracy the United States promised. Now, faced with governmental corruption and an increase in violence, many are considering returning to the States.
Last week NOOR’s Pep Bonet and Nikon Netherlands kicked off a new series of one-day multimedia trainings with exciting lectures in Amsterdam for members of the Dutch press, ANP and NPS.
Being extremely fascinated by the fact that nowadays HDDSLR photo cameras also have the capability of shooting HD video, Pep crafted himself into shooting documentaries with DSLR cameras. This resulted in several short documentary films, including the award winning ‘Into the Shadows’, a pursuit into the lives of hundreds of thousands of Africans living in the inner city of Johannesburg.
Pep shared his experience and in-depth knowledge of all aspects that come with filmmaking, starting out with audiovisual presentations - where Pep and sound designer Jose Bautista put images and music together - to full length documentary making.
“In filmmaking you absolutely have to know, before you start, what the message is that you want to convey. More so than in photography, where playing around with the editing and building the story afterwards is much easier”, says Pep.
Pep stressed that in order to make a good production, many times you have to be independent. “To be independent in doing your own projects, means that you are free to express yourself. I believe that young creators now have the responsibility of challenging themselves with the actual technology that is available. I think it is important to confront yourself and be critical of your own work. Always put your goals further than you think you can achieve. You will end up learning more from mistakes then from things that went well. When time passes we all learn and change, but be realistic at the same time,” says Pep.
He also shared a lot of tips and tricks on technical accessories; some that are indispensable and some that you can leave out or could easily construct or adapt yourself.
Anja, one of the participants said that for her “the technical possibilities nowadays really feel like a liberation, more or less the same as with the move from analogue to digital. We have so much more possibilities to express ourselves.”
Pep showed some of his latest projects, like ‘Into the Shadows’ and ‘Forced’ and explained that for him it is still important to mix stills and footage. “I always use the photos as suggestions [Pep shared] to let the audience stop and think.”
Pep also made it clear that filmmaking is much more about teamwork. “Team up with the people that you want and need around you, and push them to make them feel what you are after.”
“I can't wait to focus myself on a certain subject. You were an inspiration!” said Piroschka, one of the participants.
The coming year, Pep will tour Europe for more one-day multimedia trainings in cooperation with local Nikon offices. If you want to know if Pep is conducting one near you, please contact the Pro Rep at the local Nikon office and/or contact NOOR to book Pep.
Images by Harvey Williams-Fairley.
Andrea Bruce | NOOR
Omar & Mustafa are farther and son, close friends of NOOR photographer Andrea Bruce, and together, they travelled nearly 3000 miles to arrive in peace at Omar & Mustafa's new family home.
In 2013 Omar made the heartbreaking decision to move his family from war torn Iraq to Riverdale, MD, in search of a brighter, more optimistic future. Having been confronted with the high cost of living, a bed bug ridden apartment and bad schools in Riverdale, Omar has been forced to relocate his family once more to Portland, Oregon; in search of the promises that bought them to the USA in the first place.
'Baghdad, Iraq | This is @andreabruce_noor reporting with Omar and Mustafa, father and son from Iraq who are road-tripping across the United States to their new home in Portland, OR.'
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Andrea decided to accompany the pair on their journey, one so few Americans make. Documenting the experience through her cell phone, the adventure was a unique experience for all three, a situation Andrea & Omar probably never thought would be theirs.
Andrea gave details about her experiences along this journey, which was a unique time for all three.
"Before we left DC with his 15 year old son Mustafa (his wife and two younger children flew to Portland, OR, ahead of time to find an apartment), I bought a road map of the United States to show the scale of the trip we were taking. And I'm glad I did. But it wasn't until we reached California that the size of the US was truly apparent to Mustafa, Omar and myself. I've never made a trip across the US like this. Few Americans have, I told him."
'Maryland | Omar leaves his Maryland apartment for a future in Portland, OR.'
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"I've known Omar and his family since 2003, when he started working for The Washington Post. I was a staff photographer for the newspaper until 2010...we always worked together when I was based in Iraq during that time. He didn't mind the dangers involved in working with photographers. He gives meaning to the phrase quiet-confidence. I am simply quiet. We spent whole days, sometimes weeks, together, barely speaking, but always on the same page. He has saved my life, quite literally, and was one of my closest friends."
'New Mexico | We have an oil leak. Nice guys on Old Route 66 helped us out.'
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"I haven't seen him in the three years since 2010 when the US pulled out of Iraq...until his family arrived in Riverdale, MD, just outside of Washington, DC. Thanks to the NY-based Iraq Refugee Assistance Project, he finally made it. Of all of the Iraqis who worked with The Washington Post, he was the most optimistic about his country. He decided, almost too late, that it would be best for his children to leave. (I have to mention, The Aftermath Project also awarded them money to help in the move.)"
'Texas | Talking on the phone with concerned family and friends.'
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"Those first months were brutal for him and his family. I'm sure it is for any immigrants anywhere. If it wasn't for this move, and friends who promised something better in Oregon, I'm sure they would've gone back to the brutality of Iraq, where friends and familiarity still exist. Around DC there was a horrible school system, especially for children who speak no English. A high cost of living. Not a single positive response to a ton of job applications. And, the final straw, a bed bug infestation in their entire apartment complex. They had to throw out everything they recently bought."
'Maryland | Omar and Mustafa throw out most of their belongings in order to leave bedbugs behind.'
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"While driving with Omar on this road-trip, we would often look at each other and laugh. Especially while I was driving. I'm not sure he even knew I could drive before this trip. And when in Texas it felt so much like Iraq that we would have to mention it. "Who would think we would be doing this through America," Omar said. I agreed."
'Texas | "Texas is like Iraq, brown and flat," said Omar. With a few exceptions.'
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"They were both amazed at the emptiness and size of our country. Even I was at times. We would drive for hours without seeing a real town. We went from the city, to the Appalachian mountains, through the south, to desert, then pine trees and mountains. We saw tumbleweeds, snow, rain, lots of ice. There was the grand canyon, dry desert and huge pine trees. Omar loved the pine trees...and that there were so many different types in so many different landscapes. "
'Arizona | "I love America. We drive for five days and no one stops me. No one asks for my ID. No one asks where I'm going. No one asks what I'm doing," Omar said on our way to the Grand Canyon.'
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"Mustafa once said "I still haven't seen America." Omar agreed...they meant that in the movies you basically only see New York or LA representing the US. But in reality it is mostly small towns and countryside...which is all we saw on the trip."
'Tennessee | We woke up to this guy parked next to our tiny mini-van. Decided to take the southern route across the US to avoid ice and snow.'
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"I'm happy Omar agreed to let me document the trip. And Instagram was a more simple, and personal, approach. Using a cell phone to document this was important. I want people to get to know this man and his family...but I am a part of this story. And the central focus was to help Omar make sense of my crazy country, as he helped me make sense of his beautiful one for many years."
'Oregon | From their new home in Portland, OR, Omar and his daughter Masarra.'
Nina Berman | NOOR
The Black Boys of Dozier are a group of men who are revisiting Dozier School for Boys, an institution meant for the reformation of wayward boys. Bent on power, the institution has a dark history and the very foundation is built upon scandals. The men revisited the school to share their experiences and shed light upon the horror that occurred within. NOOR photographer Nina Berman accompanied them along the way. See images, video and listen to interviews of the Black Boys of Dozier on Mother Jones as they give their accounts of time spent within the wooded campus.
Earlier this week, on Monday night, was the deadline for applications for the NOOR-Nikon Masterclass in Documentary Photography. Last week on Friday we were a bit worried about the number of applications we received, so far 28. When we arrived in the office Monday morning, our inbox was flooded. It took us about three days to wade trough all the emails and check all applications. We received 153 applications in total! A record number. We want to thank everybody that took the time to carefully prepare an application. Please note that the deadline is now closed and no more entries will be accepted.
This year's NOOR-Nikon Masterclass for Documentary Photography will be held in Istanbul from 24-28 March. Photographers from the following countries in the region are eligible: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey. We especially received a record number of applications from Iran (37 applications), Turkey (32 applications), Greece (20 applications) and Armenia (19 applications). For us this shows that clearly there is an enormous need in the region for this kind of training. The coming weeks we will take the time to carefully study all applications and make the final selection of 15 participants that will be invited to come to Istanbul. We will do our utmost to get a well-balanced group with representatives from the various eligible countries. The final selection will be announced at the end of the month, in order to give the participants ample time to prepare themselves for the class.
During the five days of the workshop, the 15 participants, together with three member photographers of NOOR, Andrea Bruce, Benedicte Kurzen and Jon Lowenstein, and NOOR’s managing director, Evelien Kunst, will share experiences, work on portfolios, improve editing skills and learn how to pick up and develop stories. Each day consists of intensive communication with the photographers on the subjects of technical features and the peculiarities of the international photo market. It is a unique opportunity to gain new knowledge, contacts, learn to tell stories in a visual language and develop a personal vision.
The annual NOOR-Nikon Masterclass in Documentary Photography is organized by NOOR Foundation and supported by Nikon Europe, with the aim to support documentary photographers from emerging markets all over the world through the organization of motivational masterclasses. The NOOR-Nikon Masterclass in Documentary Photography 2014 in Istanbul is organized in cooperation with Genis Aci Project Office.
Andrea Bruce | NOOR
The tutors for this years NOOR-Nikon Masterclass in Documentary Photography (In conjunction with Genis Aci Project Office GAPO) are; Andrea Bruce, Benedicte Kurzen & Jon Lowenstein. The deadline for applications is Monday the 10th of February. Don't miss out on this opportunity. The masterclass will be accessible to young and aspiring documentary photographers and photojournalists from the following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey.
If you are interested to find out more and read about experiences of participants from former masterclasses, then see examples of previous workshops here & here.
NOOR, Nikon and Genis Aci Project Office (GAPO) invite photographers to submit their portfolios for selection for the 2014 NOOR-Nikon Masterclass in Documentary Photography in Turkey.
NOOR photo agency and foundation and Nikon Europe support documentary photographers from emerging markets all over the world through the organization of annual motivational masterclasses.
The 2014 program takes place in Istanbul, Turkey, organized in collaboration with Genis Aci Project Office (GAPO), 24 March through to 28 March 2014.
THE WORKSHOP
During the five days of the workshop, 15 participants, together with three member photographers of NOOR and NOOR’s managing director will share experiences, work on portfolios, improve editing skills and learn how to pick up and develop stories. Each day consists of intensive communication with the photographers on the subjects of technical features and the peculiarities of the international photo market. It is a unique opportunity to gain new knowledge, contacts, learn to tell stories in a visual language and develop a personal vision.
The workshop is free of charge; travel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed (possession of a passport and travel insurance is required to apply).
SUBMISSION
For submission you are required to have:
• Basic experience in documentary photography or photojournalism;
• A high level of motivation;
• English language skills (the workshop is in English);
• A good technical understanding of your camera equipment, a working knowledge of the media environment and basic image management skills.
To apply you need to send a PDF file not exceeding 6 MB including:
• A CV including your contact information and a written text explaining your work and projects. Please clarify your involvement in photography by showing a proven track record, proof of a photographic training or at least 1-year experience of practice;
• Motivation letter in English (1 page);
• A portfolio of max. 30 images with text introductions and captions (please show your story telling skills by presenting at least one picture story of 8 images).
Please send your application to: masterclass2014@noorimages.com before midnight C.E.T. Monday 10 February 2014.
If sending a PDF creates a problem, we accept links and word documents or alternative formats. For more information contact NOOR via masterclass2014@noorimages.com or tel. +31.20.6164040 or Skype: noorimages (Amsterdam).
In case you are selected for the workshop, you will be asked to perform a short assignment to work on before the workshop starts.
Application deadline: 10 February 2014 (before midnight C.E.T.).
Organized with the generous support of Nikon Europe B.V.
NOOR photographer Yuri Kozyrev has teamed up with author Mattias Schepp, from Der Speigel. Together they are on a road trip traveling from Moscow to Sochi, reporting on their journey through cities such as Lipetsk, Kolomna, Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Novorossiysk & Gelendzhik. They are creating an interactive travel diary, which is already online and is updated daily. Their latest entry was from Rostov-on-Don, photographing various strip clubs. There are many more stories to come from this project, which has already covered a variety of aspects like winter sports and culture, the depression of Gryslowo and the rise of sexuality. This project is an exciting and revealing insight into Russia's current affairs, stay tuned here!
Yuri Kozyrev | NOOR
Recently Yuri has been travelling in, and around Sochi documenting events, ongoings & quirks leading upto the 2014 Winter Olympics. TIME Magazine has the latest scoop.
