The NOOR Masterclass on “Capturing Climate Change” (8-11 Nov), led by award-winning NOOR author Kadir van Lohuizen, will empower 8 selected, young photojournalists by facilitating the development of their journalistic, investigative skills and visual mastery. By telling stories on the local impacts of climate change in Tanzania and Kenya to raise awareness, provoke debate and inspire change on the climate crisis and its effects on the urban youth in Tanzania and Kenya.

The immediacy of visual communication has the potential to change history. Facts can be presented by powerful images. Over the years, NOOR has covered some of the world’s most important stories, and has shone a light on subjects that need to be seen globally. This dedicated masterclass will be mentored by award-winning photojournalist and co-founder of NOOR Images, Kadir van Lohuizen. Kadir has covered conflicts in Africa and elsewhere but is probably best known for his long-term projects on the seven rivers of the world, the rising of sea levels, the diamond industry and migration in the Americas.

The masterclass on climate photography is intended for participants with prior experience in the field of Photojournalism, as well as photographers whose practice already documents the impact of the climate crisis.

The selected candidates must show great promise and an unquenchable desire to practice photojournalism with a purpose. The masterclass will include a 4-day intensive in person workshop in Dar es Salaam. This includes travel, accommodation expenses and catering (coffee, tea, snacks and lunch) for the duration of the on-site masterclass.

8 candidates will be selected from the applicants, we aim towards an equal representation of genders. Applicants must be under the age of 34, hold either Tanzanian or Kenyan nationality, and be proficient in spoken English. All applicants' work will be reviewed anonymously, no entrant information will be available to the jury until all candidates are selected.

All applicants must apply with their portfolio, or a selection of images (min. 5 – max. 20) that best represents their past work.

The NOOR team will curate a unique collection from the images created as a part of the masterclass. This will culminate in a physical exhibition.

This activity is supported by the Embassies of the Netherlands in Tanzania and Kenya. Both Embassies and the Netherlands at large work to combat climate change and promote innovative solutions to global challenges. The photographs taken over the course of the masterclasses will cumulate in multiple exhibitions organized by the Embassies. The photographs selected upon mutual agreement with the photographers will be printed and may be used for promotional purposes by the Embassies of the Netherlands.

What winners receive

The selected candidates will have the opportunity to attend a dedicated masterclass under the mentorship of Kadir van Lohuizen, This includes travel, accommodation expenses and catering (coffee, tea, snacks and lunch) for the duration of the on-site masterclass. During the masterclass, ample promotion and social media presence will be created around the individual photographers and their participation. The works produced during this masterclass will be carefully curated into an exhibition by the NOOR team.

How to enter

All submission materials need to be in English. Applications in other languages will not be considered.

About Noor

We are a global, multilingual collective of highly accomplished journalists, authors, photographers, artists and filmmakers documenting, investigating and witnessing our world. We approach our work with integrity, passion, and respect. We believe stories have an impact and inspire action. We believe in the power of still and moving images. We are honest witnesses.

NOOR, which takes its name from the Arabic word for light, launched in 2007 as a platform for its members to take financial control over their work and leverage the power of a group in a changing media landscape. Since then we have become industry leaders, producing images for large media companies and small startups, institutional clients and non-profits.

We also teach, host workshops and public programs around photography, media literacy and representation. And while the content of our work is broad, its unified in our desire to connect the dots around critical issues such climate change, over consumption, forced migration, the rise of authoritarianism, the injustices of patriarchy and the power of art and music to keep us human.

What kinds of pictures should be in my portfolio?
Your portfolio should reflect stories that you are currently working on as a personal project. We’re looking for powerful stories.

Is there an age requirement?
18+ - 34 years old

I have video that I would like to submit?
Please contact us at samira@noorimages.com

I want to submit diptychs will they count as 1 image or 2 images towards my 20 image maximum?
Diptychs count as 1 image. The two images should coherently work together to be viewed as one image. Be careful not to include diptychs just to show more work

When will I be notified if I get selected?
You will be contacted by a member of the NOOR staff by email when the selection process is finished.