Introducing: Project Ethics Reviews
Amidst the controversy that surrounded Alessio Mamo’s “Dreaming Food” photographic series posted to the World Press Photo Instagram account in July 2018, there was cogent criticism of the industry as a whole. Photographer Chirodeep Chaudhuri stated in an interview: “I am not saying the photographer is blameless but the system that supports him/her (or doesn’t) also needs to be examined.”
Chaudhuri’s interviewers, Manik Sharma and Suryasarathi Bhattacharya, that because so many photographers today are working independently, they are operating outside of “hierarchies of judgment.” In traditional publication processes that require oversight from editors with more experience or different perspectives, the photographer has the opportunity to learn through feedback and critique. “An individual photographer may not always be able to spot what (if anything) is questionable about his/her work. But when there is a system of editors who are also looking at the same photographs, then they should certainly be able to flag any problematic representations or concepts.”
Working outside of these systems, freelance photographers have limited opportunities to bounce ideas, receive critical feedback, and learn from colleagues.
On December 4th, the Photography Ethics Centre is teaming up with the Royal Photographic Society to host the Photography Ethics Symposium. The theme of this symposium is Working with People. We will cover a wide range of topics: from practical tools to become more ethical in your work, to asking the big questions about why we photograph and how we engage in processes of representation. We look forward to welcoming speakers Anthony Luvera, Jess Crombie, Emma Chetcuti, and Franklyn Rodgers.
As part of this symposium, we will be offering one-on-one Project Ethics Reviews with the speakers. The aim of the Project Ethics Reviews is to discuss an individuals’ current projects, highlight ethical questions that they may not have considered, and discuss possible resolutions. This new take on the traditional Portfolio Review comes as a direct response to recent controversies like “Dreaming Food,” which have shown that many photographers lack support in working through tough questions about the ethics of their practice.
Project Ethics Reviews will be offered at no extra cost to symposium attendees. Review slots are limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis. To reserve a slot, email info@photoethics.org after first registering for the symposium. Please include in your email a brief description of your project, and you will be paired with the reviewer who is best placed to discuss your work.
