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other art media like sculpture, painting, print making, mixed amongst others despite the country hosting high-profile photography exhibitions like “Gwanza” (brainchild of Calvin Dondo), month of photography and workshops and world Press photos every year..
The medium has been marginalised by many native African artistes although it has the same power of expressiveness as other preferred media.
There has been the abundance of digital cameras in people’s everyday lives with the advancement of technology, but no inroads have been made towards the engagement of the medium by the many creative minds.
Since the commencement of the year 2011 the Spanish Embassy through “The Zimbo Jam”, has been sponsoring “Pikicha” monthly photography competitions with various themes relevant to Zimbabweans’ way of life.
The competitions began with “Rebuilding our Country” as the month of January’s theme, followed by “Love” for February, “In the Eyes of a Child” that focused on children and young people in March and the current theme for April “Keep it Green” is meant to focus on issues of environmental degradation, pollution and the beautiful scenes of nature.
The final month of the competition is June which is open to women and girls only and their images should focus on the role of women in society today.
This is in a way to see how women see other women, the positives, negatives, the well known and the untold.
The theme “Women by Women” will run after the forthcoming “Albinos” theme which will intend to highlight the day-to-day way of life of people with albinism, who are widely misunderstood by the majority.
All entries for the competitions must be works by Zimbabweans and having been shot in the country.
The images must be submitted by the 20th of every month via email, [email protected]
Photographers should send in a maximum of five photographs for each theme making it a maximum 30 photos for the whole competition per photographer.
The images can be sent in all at once or in batches according to the monthly themes. Monthly prizes for three outstanding images range from US$25 for the third, US$50 for the second and a US$100 for the first.
The best image for the six months will be rewarded with a whopping US$1 000.
All 20 selected images for the monthly competitions are exhibited on ww.zimbojam.com
Images may be digitally enhanced to remove spots or scratches, but not manipulated. Entrants may enhance the picture to make it brighter, clearer, etc, but may not manipulate the content.
Sponsors and judges reserve the right to exclude any image they believe may have been excessively treated so as to alter its authenticity.
Zimbabwean photographers select the best 20 images from the pool of entrants.
The 20 selected at local level are sent to a Spanish professional photographer. The professional will critique all the 20 photographs and choose the winning photo, first runner- up and second runner-up.
The photos will be sent back with critiques and the three winners will be presented with prizes. Images are evaluated on the basis of impact, composition and suitability for the specific category entered.
The interpretation of impact, composition, quality and suitability is rendered solely by the judges.