FOTO COLOMBIA | JULY 2017
FOTO Colombia is a collaborative initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Peace Corps, that tells the stories of peacebuilders in Colombia through imagery. Visit our online portfolio to see more!
OTL in Manzanillo del Mar
In September 2016, Alyssa Galick hosted an OTL photo camp with some of her students. The purpose of the camp was to allow students (ages 7-13) to express themselves artistically while also learning about photography. Manzanillo is such a special community, a small fishing town made up of primarily Afro-Colombians. A 20 minute drive North of Cartagena, it is increasingly seeing new development and tourism alter its way of life. She wanted the photos to convey the strong sense of identity and pride that Manzanilleros have. These photos speak for themselves. They convey the places, the people, the things that make up my students’ daily life in Manzanillo.
This write up originally appeared in OISTE Peace Corps Colombia's online newsletter.
Hover over the photos below for captions
This write up originally appeared in OISTE Peace Corps Colombia's online newsletter.
Hover over the photos below for captions
Photos from Manzanillo del Mar
OTL in Puerto Colombia
Puerto Colombia Peace Corps Volunteer, Brianna Thompson, embraced the spirit of cooperation when bringing Outside the Lens to Puerto Colombia. Her first workshop was done in conjunction with a local foundation over the December/January school break. 15 students, ages 9-17 attended a three day workshop where they completed the Camera Basics, Here I Am, and Pieces of Me projects. It was such a success her foundation worked with her to arrange another workshop to celebrate Children's Day. This time, they invited a third local organization, focused on teaching photography to youth, to help conduct. This workshop had 23 participants aged 9-25! The Peace Corps spirit of cooperation along with OTL's adaptable curriculum helped to build bridges between amazing organizations in Colombia!
You can read a press release about the event (in Spanish) from her community foundation HERE
Here are her reflections on these events:
Workshop One:
Puerto Colombia has an active art community, which the casa de cultura helps to promote and support. As soon as I heard about Outside the Lens, I knew they would be a fantastic partner organization. Sure enough, as soon as I mentioned the program, they were sold. They did the legwork to connect with another foundation in town, to get the participants, and to get funding for both refreshments and prints. I just had to get the cameras and show up with the curriculum.
We worked over three days, first practicing using the cameras and working on basic techniques - vantage points, focusing, and a bit on framing. Next we did "Here I Am," in which we looked at portraits and discussed how those portraits show us more than just the person's face. The students reflected a bit on what they wanted to show to people in their own portraits, and we began photographing. We followed that on the third day with "Pieces of Me," in which students focused more closely on a part of them that makes them unique.
At the end, I sat down with each student and reviewed their photos with them. We discussed which ones were best, and chose 2 to print to present as a diptych.
The day of our exposition at the casa de cultura coincided with the last day of the Christmas novenas - which meant a lot of people were there to see the kids' work! This was my favorite part of everything. The students were excited to see their photographs (and their own faces) on the wall.
Workshop Two:
My local casa de la cultura has had a photography exposition up all month. It's a really lovely exhibit, showcasing the works of local photographers and focused on the fishermen of my coastal town. Their staff asked me to do another Outside the Lens workshop on April 22 for Children's Day, and as we discussed the logistics, I realized that the same day was also Earth Day. I suggested that we tie it all together by focusing on the environment and our community - without a clean ocean, our community's economy would be very different.
The staff once again really made everything happen in a big way. They not only invited all the participants - children who live right near the pier, many of whom have fishermen fathers - but also invited a few of the photographers whose work was on exhibit to come help facilitate. These photographers have their own foundation, which has a goal of teaching photography. COULD IT HAVE BEEN ANY MORE PERFECT?
Since this was a different group of kids than I had worked with previously, we really focused on the technical aspects again. We practiced points of view and focusing, and the photographers facilitated the practice and the learning in a huge way.
After getting a hang of the cameras and the techniques we were going to be using, we started our journey out into the plaza and towards the sea. After a 45 minute photo walk, we returned to the casa de la cultura where the 4 of us reviewed the photos with the kids to give them immediate feedback.
We are now in the process of selecting the photos for an exposition, and talking about when we can do our next workshop!
You can read a press release about the event (in Spanish) from her community foundation HERE
Here are her reflections on these events:
Workshop One:
Puerto Colombia has an active art community, which the casa de cultura helps to promote and support. As soon as I heard about Outside the Lens, I knew they would be a fantastic partner organization. Sure enough, as soon as I mentioned the program, they were sold. They did the legwork to connect with another foundation in town, to get the participants, and to get funding for both refreshments and prints. I just had to get the cameras and show up with the curriculum.
We worked over three days, first practicing using the cameras and working on basic techniques - vantage points, focusing, and a bit on framing. Next we did "Here I Am," in which we looked at portraits and discussed how those portraits show us more than just the person's face. The students reflected a bit on what they wanted to show to people in their own portraits, and we began photographing. We followed that on the third day with "Pieces of Me," in which students focused more closely on a part of them that makes them unique.
At the end, I sat down with each student and reviewed their photos with them. We discussed which ones were best, and chose 2 to print to present as a diptych.
The day of our exposition at the casa de cultura coincided with the last day of the Christmas novenas - which meant a lot of people were there to see the kids' work! This was my favorite part of everything. The students were excited to see their photographs (and their own faces) on the wall.
Workshop Two:
My local casa de la cultura has had a photography exposition up all month. It's a really lovely exhibit, showcasing the works of local photographers and focused on the fishermen of my coastal town. Their staff asked me to do another Outside the Lens workshop on April 22 for Children's Day, and as we discussed the logistics, I realized that the same day was also Earth Day. I suggested that we tie it all together by focusing on the environment and our community - without a clean ocean, our community's economy would be very different.
The staff once again really made everything happen in a big way. They not only invited all the participants - children who live right near the pier, many of whom have fishermen fathers - but also invited a few of the photographers whose work was on exhibit to come help facilitate. These photographers have their own foundation, which has a goal of teaching photography. COULD IT HAVE BEEN ANY MORE PERFECT?
Since this was a different group of kids than I had worked with previously, we really focused on the technical aspects again. We practiced points of view and focusing, and the photographers facilitated the practice and the learning in a huge way.
After getting a hang of the cameras and the techniques we were going to be using, we started our journey out into the plaza and towards the sea. After a 45 minute photo walk, we returned to the casa de la cultura where the 4 of us reviewed the photos with the kids to give them immediate feedback.
We are now in the process of selecting the photos for an exposition, and talking about when we can do our next workshop!
Puerto Colombia Photos
OTL in Manati
In late April, Maya hosted an all day OTL workshop in Manati. The workshop started early and went all day - students learned camera basics and then went on to do the project "Pieces of Me"
Workshop:
In the first part of the workshop, the kids learned about camera basics and elements of design. We went on a walk to park and around the school as they completed a photo scavenger hunt. In the second half of the workshop the students worked on the project, Pieces of Me. This project uses photography as a way for kids to express what makes him or her special and unique. They photographed certain parts of their bodies and used poetry to explain the importance of these body parts to him or her. Students had so much fun in the morning learning the basics of design that they all arrived after lunch early to get started on the project!
The Exhibition:
After the workshop, we were so impressed with the kid’s photos that we decided we had to show them off at the local library. We held an intimate and classy exhibition opening event that was attended principally by the students that attended the workshop and their family members and friends. By including family members and friends in the exhibition opening we were able to open the door to discussions in the community about the importance of creativity and self-expression. We worked hard to decorate the library so that the attendees could experience a real art gallery experience. The students were proud to show their photos to their parents and to explain the elements of design in each photo. The photos are still on display at the local library, so that all who enter can enjoy them!
Check out the incredible photos below!
Workshop:
In the first part of the workshop, the kids learned about camera basics and elements of design. We went on a walk to park and around the school as they completed a photo scavenger hunt. In the second half of the workshop the students worked on the project, Pieces of Me. This project uses photography as a way for kids to express what makes him or her special and unique. They photographed certain parts of their bodies and used poetry to explain the importance of these body parts to him or her. Students had so much fun in the morning learning the basics of design that they all arrived after lunch early to get started on the project!
The Exhibition:
After the workshop, we were so impressed with the kid’s photos that we decided we had to show them off at the local library. We held an intimate and classy exhibition opening event that was attended principally by the students that attended the workshop and their family members and friends. By including family members and friends in the exhibition opening we were able to open the door to discussions in the community about the importance of creativity and self-expression. We worked hard to decorate the library so that the attendees could experience a real art gallery experience. The students were proud to show their photos to their parents and to explain the elements of design in each photo. The photos are still on display at the local library, so that all who enter can enjoy them!
Check out the incredible photos below!
OTL in Aracataca
Aracataca, birth place of Gabriel García Márquez, located about 1 1/2 hours south of Santa Marta, hosted OTL workshops on a Saturday in early August. Volunteers Yessi & Jacquie regularly work with a group of youth that are training to be tourism police in Aracataca and they wanted to include this project to help get them to think more broadly about their place in their community. After going through the camera basics courses, we decided to do a project titled “Here I am” (Aqui Soy Yo). The project teaches students first about all the different elements of a portrait (such as how our choices about clothing or location can say a lot about the person) and the difference between a self-portrait and a selfie. Then students design and take their own self portrait. After they finish, they are introduced to a formula poem called “Where I’m From”. It’s a simple poem that is designed to make students think of the impact their past has on who they are today. The two elements were then put together for the final product.
Aracataca has a lot of deep history that has profoundly influenced not only who they are as a community, but also the Caribbean coast as well! Students had a full day of work. But they really enjoyed it. Even the police officer overseeing the class got in on the fun and completed his own project.
Aracataca has a lot of deep history that has profoundly influenced not only who they are as a community, but also the Caribbean coast as well! Students had a full day of work. But they really enjoyed it. Even the police officer overseeing the class got in on the fun and completed his own project.
OTL in Santa Marta
PCVs Monica and Rocky live in the exciting city of Santa Marta. Both of them hosted OTL workshops at their schools over the course of the month of August, each of them with unique goals.
Rocky's Workshop:
Since the Peace Accords in 2016 between the Colombian government and the rebel group FARC, I've seen a shift in my school's attitude towards peace in general. They got very involved in peace activities and even carved out a space for it in their classrooms and had different school events promoting peace between students. Because of this I approached fellow volunteer Carrie who heads the OTL project in Peace Corps Colombia.
This lead me to assemble a two week OTL Workshop at my school where we that taught the students there how attaining peace in themselves can help them to achieve peace in their communities, families, and in their school. During the first session, we focused on Camera Basics and I enlisted the help of a passionate teacher that loves photography who helped widen the girls' perspective. I was taken aback by the girls' prior knowledge of photography but felt satisfied when they told me that they learned many new things during the session.
During the second session, we focused on using photography to promote peace. To achieve this, we used an OTL curriculum that me and fellow PCV Carrie modified for this activity. Along with another PC Colombia Volunteer Monica Lynn, we discussed with the students how a photo gives insight into what the photographer wants to communicate to his/her audience and how they could promote peace in their pictures. We also talked about the different things that make them feel at peace within their households, communities, and school. Finally, we ended with the fact that if one can achieve an inner peace then one can begin to share that with their families and in their community.
Rocky's Workshop:
Since the Peace Accords in 2016 between the Colombian government and the rebel group FARC, I've seen a shift in my school's attitude towards peace in general. They got very involved in peace activities and even carved out a space for it in their classrooms and had different school events promoting peace between students. Because of this I approached fellow volunteer Carrie who heads the OTL project in Peace Corps Colombia.
This lead me to assemble a two week OTL Workshop at my school where we that taught the students there how attaining peace in themselves can help them to achieve peace in their communities, families, and in their school. During the first session, we focused on Camera Basics and I enlisted the help of a passionate teacher that loves photography who helped widen the girls' perspective. I was taken aback by the girls' prior knowledge of photography but felt satisfied when they told me that they learned many new things during the session.
During the second session, we focused on using photography to promote peace. To achieve this, we used an OTL curriculum that me and fellow PCV Carrie modified for this activity. Along with another PC Colombia Volunteer Monica Lynn, we discussed with the students how a photo gives insight into what the photographer wants to communicate to his/her audience and how they could promote peace in their pictures. We also talked about the different things that make them feel at peace within their households, communities, and school. Finally, we ended with the fact that if one can achieve an inner peace then one can begin to share that with their families and in their community.
Monica's Workshop
Santa Marta volunteer, Monica Malcomson, incorporated Outside the Lens into her 10th and 11th grade english classes during a wellness unit. Prior to the photo workshop, more than 120 of her students aged 15-17 explored themes like nutrition, fitness, yoga/meditation, sexual education, and dance. The idea was to encourage the students to think about health holistically. During this unit, her students expressed a lot of concern about their stress over gradating and the future, negative attitudes towards body image, and doubts from her students about “being successful” or “good enough”. In reaction to this, Monica felt that self-esteem would be a perfect final component to this all-inclusive unit, where students could further address the importance of mental health and self-confidence. The students were ecstatic when they heard they’d be learning about photography and were able to complete the Camera Basics and Pieces of Me Projects in their English class over the course of two weeks. Therefore, students also explored basic english vocabulary surrounding the topics of photography and self-esteem.
Monica’s Reflection:
It was incredible to witness such a unique and heart-warming transformation within many of my students. Especially within those students whom initially expressed that they couldn’t think of much that they particularly like about themselves, or expressed very shyly what they feel makes them unique. Using the art of photography allowed them to see themselves through a new lens, focus on a personal quality or characteristic they are proud of, and transform that piece of themselves into a form of art. I was blown away with how thoughtful and profound my students’ responses were when hearing them describe their photos. I wanted my students to truly believe that they are all beautiful in their own unique ways; that each one of them is stunning, one-and-only; and that above all, their inner beauty is what radiates most. I think the OTL project certainly allowed them to truly grasp this message for themselves in their own way, and thats exactly how learning should happen.
Santa Marta volunteer, Monica Malcomson, incorporated Outside the Lens into her 10th and 11th grade english classes during a wellness unit. Prior to the photo workshop, more than 120 of her students aged 15-17 explored themes like nutrition, fitness, yoga/meditation, sexual education, and dance. The idea was to encourage the students to think about health holistically. During this unit, her students expressed a lot of concern about their stress over gradating and the future, negative attitudes towards body image, and doubts from her students about “being successful” or “good enough”. In reaction to this, Monica felt that self-esteem would be a perfect final component to this all-inclusive unit, where students could further address the importance of mental health and self-confidence. The students were ecstatic when they heard they’d be learning about photography and were able to complete the Camera Basics and Pieces of Me Projects in their English class over the course of two weeks. Therefore, students also explored basic english vocabulary surrounding the topics of photography and self-esteem.
Monica’s Reflection:
It was incredible to witness such a unique and heart-warming transformation within many of my students. Especially within those students whom initially expressed that they couldn’t think of much that they particularly like about themselves, or expressed very shyly what they feel makes them unique. Using the art of photography allowed them to see themselves through a new lens, focus on a personal quality or characteristic they are proud of, and transform that piece of themselves into a form of art. I was blown away with how thoughtful and profound my students’ responses were when hearing them describe their photos. I wanted my students to truly believe that they are all beautiful in their own unique ways; that each one of them is stunning, one-and-only; and that above all, their inner beauty is what radiates most. I think the OTL project certainly allowed them to truly grasp this message for themselves in their own way, and thats exactly how learning should happen.
OTL in Villa Rosa
Villa Rosa hosted OTL as a weekly after school program in the month of June. Students spent a lot of time practicing vantage points, elements of design, and also diptics. The computer lab at the school had a full version of Photoshop available so students even got a lesson in the basics of Photoshop! After a few weeks of practicing camera basics, student began working on the Pieces of Me project. The site proved to be so photogenic and the kids so enthusiastic that Villa Rosa was one of the chosen host sites for the first annual FotoColombia project.
OTL at GLOW
GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) is a world wide Peace Corps initiative to empower young women to become leaders in their communities. In Colombia, GLOW has been hosting a camp every year where girls from all over the coast come together to learn about community service, leadership, health, and other important topics. In 2017, we piloted including OTL programming at GLOW. For the first year, we just introduced the girls to camera basics (vantage points and elements of design). Each "team" was assigned 2 cameras that the girls could share through week to document their personal experiences at Camp GLOW. There were worries about the number of girls and how easy it is to get distracted (worries about losing or breaking cameras), but they all proved to be responsible, diligent young women. Not to mention, they captured some beautiful photos.
In 2018, PC Colombia launched "Club GLOW", which is designed to bring the concepts of Camp GLOW back to our communities and continue empowering girls. The Gender committee is working with PC OTL to develop curriculum that will utilize photography to explore gender equality concepts. It's hoped to be able to continue growing this partnership in the years to come!
In 2018, PC Colombia launched "Club GLOW", which is designed to bring the concepts of Camp GLOW back to our communities and continue empowering girls. The Gender committee is working with PC OTL to develop curriculum that will utilize photography to explore gender equality concepts. It's hoped to be able to continue growing this partnership in the years to come!