Monthly Archives: October 2008

WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2008)—National Geographic will participate in the first annual celebration of Fotoweek DC next month with seven photography exhibitions at the National Geographic Museum and Smith Farm Center on U Street and three public lectures from the National Geographic Live! series.

Fotoweek DC is a citywide event Nov. 15-22, bringing together photographers, museums, universities and others involved in the photography profession in a celebration of the city's vibrant and ever changing community. National Geographic is a Fotoweek DC platinum sponsor and will host the closing awards ceremony and gala on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Society headquarters.

The National Geographic Museum (1145 17th Street, N.W.) will present four photography exhibitions during Fotoweek. "Odysseys and Photographs: Masters from the National Geographic Archives" (through Jan. 4, 2009) reveals the compelling stories of four legendary photographers whose work spanned the world during the 20th century. The book on which the exhibit is based is part of the new Focal Point series from National Geographic Books, celebrating the vision and style of individual photographers. A small "Focal Point" exhibit will showcase the work of that series' other photographers: Alexandra Avakian, Sam Abell and Reza.

On the museum portico, "Whales: From the Depths of the National Geographic Collection" (through Jan. 18, 2009) features more than 30 of National Geographic's stunning marine photographs and complements the interactive exhibition "Whales Tohorā," currently in the museum's main gallery. Additionally, the work of the 2008 All Roads photography program awardees Khaled Hasan (Bangladesh), Farzana Wahidy (Afghanistan), Alejandro Chaskielberg (Argentina) and Rena Effendi (Azerbaijan) will be on display in the National Geographic courtyard through Dec. 2.

"Visions of Paradise" at Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts (1632 U Street, N.W.) is an exhibition of images from the new National Geographic book of the same name, in which photographers were asked to submit pictures that best represent their unique vision of heaven on Earth. Featured photographers include William Albert Allard, Jodi Cobb, David Doubilet, Beverly Joubert, Michael Nichols, Paul Nicklen, Randy Olson, Joel Sartore and Michael Yamashita. The exhibition will run through Jan. 2, 2009. An opening reception and book signing will be held on Nov. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Doubilet, followed by a presentation and book signing with Sartore and Olson on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. National Geographic is also holding a contest in which participants can submit their own "vision of paradise" for a chance to have their photograph on the cover of the book. To learn more, visit nationalgeographic.com/myvision.

Also around town, images from the 2008 National Geographic Photo Camps, made by high school students in the United States and Costa Rica, will be displayed Nov. 15-22 at Vivid Solutions (2208 Martin Luther King Ave, S.E.; www.archdevelopment.org). FotoWeek DC's Georgetown hub in Cady's Alley (3336 M Street, N.W.) will host an exhibition of the best of National Geographic's user-submitted "Your Shot" photos Nov 15-22 (www.ngm.com/yourshot).

The National Geographic Live! lecture series will present three public programs during Fotoweek. On Nov. 17 photographer Mattias Klum will discuss the rampant destruction threatening Borneo's lowland rain forest in his lecture "Borneo: Paradise Under Siege" (7:30 p.m., $18). The film "At Close Range," which reveals the dangers and hardships experienced in the field by photographer Joel Sartore, will be screened on Nov. 18 as part of the "Tuesdays at Noon" free film series. And Ed Kashi will discuss his dedication to documenting the social and political issues that define our times in a lecture titled "Near and Far: A Photographer's Journey with Ed Kashi" on Nov. 21 (7:30 p.m., $18). All programs will take place in the National Geographic Grosvenor Auditorium (1600 M Street, N.W.). Tickets are available by phone (202) 857-7700, online at www.nglive.org, or in person at the National Geographic ticket office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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 325 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; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

WASHINGTON (Oct. 30, 2008)—Under the tutelage of National Geographic contributing photographer Maggie Steber, 20 students from Little Havana Institute will document their community's natural history during National Geographic Photo Camp 2008. From Monday, Nov. 3, to Friday, Nov. 7, the ninth- through 12th-graders will photograph, edit and design a portrait of Little Havana and the tropical environment of South Florida. The Photo Camp is presented in partnership with The Miami Herald.

During the five-day workshop, the teenagers will explore and document the natural surroundings of Little Havana as well as the landscapes and plant collections at the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, a leading institution of palm research, horticulture and conservation. Together with photographers from The Miami Herald and the National Geographic Photo Camp staff, Steber will brief the students on photographic vision, equipment and technique and will guide them through the process of creating a story, using the students' photographs as a catalyst for discussion about their experiences. On the final day of the camp, the participants will share a multimedia presentation of their work with students, faculty and staff of Little Havana Institute.

"We hope that Photo Camp 2008 will provide participants with a unique lens on the world and help expand their awareness of the environment and their impact on it," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president, Mission Programs. "We are honored to participate in this endeavor."

The theme of the Photo Camp is the environment and conservation, and the aim is to draw attention to youth perspectives on their generation's connection to the natural world.

EVOLT SLR 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.

Steber is an internationally known documentary photographer whose work has appeared in many magazines and book anthologies as well as solo and group exhibitions around the world. She has won numerous awards, including the World Press Foundation Award, the Leica Medal of Excellence, an Overseas Press Club honor and Pictures of the Year awards. Steber has served as a judge for many photo competitions, including the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) Pictures of the Year contest.

National Geographic Mission Programs is sponsoring other Photo Camps this year in Rajasthan, India; Chesapeake Bay; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S.D.; Costa Rica; Appalachian Trail; Taos, N.M.; Camden, Maine; New York; and Santa Monica, Calif., in partnership with VisionWorkshops of Annapolis, Md. Visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp for more information.

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 325 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; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

Little Havana Institute, administered by the Cuban American National Council and funded by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, is an alternative high school for students who encounter difficulties adjusting to traditional school settings. Founded in the early 1980s, the school's mission is to create a safe environment where students can experience academic and social growth.

WASHINGTON (Oct. 14, 2008)—A group of Maine students will have the unique opportunity this month to document their communities of Vinalhaven and North Haven Islands under the direction of National Geographic contributing photographers Amy Toensing and Matt Moyer during a National Geographic Photo Camp. From Monday, Oct. 20, to Wednesday, Oct. 22, the high schoolers will photograph, edit and design a portrait of their experiences on the islands. The Photo Camp is presented in partnership with the Island Institute, an organization that supports the islands' communities and helps preserve the region's biodiversity.

During the three-day workshop, the young photographers will explore the natural environment of the two geographically close island communities. Toensing and Moyer will brief the students on photographic vision, equipment and technique and guide them through the process of creating a story through photography and writing, working with cameras and laptop computers provided by National Geographic. The students will create a multimedia show, using the images, which will convey the students' perception of the experience.

Participants, their families and community members are invited to a presentation of the students' work on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 4 p.m. at Waterman's Community Center, 12 Main Street, North Haven, and at 7 p.m. at Vinalhaven High School, 22 Arcola Lane, Vinalhaven.

Following the Photo Camp, four students will be selected to be youth ambassadors for Pop!Tech, an acclaimed ideas summit held each fall in Camden, Maine, exploring the new ideas, technologies and forces of change shaping our future. During the conference, Oct. 23-25, the student ambassadors will have the opportunity to learn from and participate in sessions with eminent thought leaders and change agents. The student also will present their multimedia show from Photo Camp and photograph the Pop!Tech presenters and conference fellows. Their images from the conference will displayed during the Pop!Tech closing gala on Oct. 25.

"We hope that Photo Camp 2008 will provide students with a unique lens on the world and help expand their awareness of the environment and their impact on it," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president, Mission Programs. "We are honored to participate in this endeavor."

The theme of the Photo Camp is environment and conservation, and the aim is to draw attention to youth perspectives on their generation's connection to the natural world.

EVOLT SLR 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.

In addition to Toensing's work for National Geographic magazine, she has covered editorial assignments for various national and international publications and private corporations since 2000. Her photographic stories intimately render the lives of ordinary people, and her images have received honors in International Pictures of the Year competitions. In 2003 Toensing was named Photographic Alumni Fellow at The Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, where she worked on a portrait of Muslim teenage girls living in Western culture.

Moyer's photographic work in Egypt, New York City and Iraq focuses on the people behind the news story, and he was named a Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow for the 2007-2008 academic year at the University of Michigan.

National Geographic Missions Programs is sponsoring other Photo Camps this year in Taos, N.M.; Rajasthan, India; Chesapeake Bay; Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S.D.; Costa Rica; Appalachian Trail; New York City; Santa Monica, Calif., and Miami, in partnership with VisionWorkshops of Annapolis, Md. Visit nationalgeographic.com/photocamp for more information.

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 325 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; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.

The Island Institute is a membership-based nonprofit that serves as a voice for the balanced future of the islands and waters of the Gulf of Maine, particularly the 15 year-round island and working-waterfront communities along the Maine coast. More information is available at islandinstitute.org.

Pop!Tech is a renowned ideas summit and social innovation network dedicated to accelerating the positive impact of world-changing people and ideas. The organization is known for its visionary Pop!Tech conferences, engaging media productions and the innovative social change programs that it fosters worldwide. "Pop!Tech 2008: Scarcity and Abundance" will be held Oct. 23-25, 2008, in Camden, Maine, and will be simulcast live on www.poptech.org.