For the first time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 27th edition of the masterclass was held online over a period of five months, and 24 participants and eight mentors were selected to make the program more inclusive.
Since July, the participants have been working on their projects under the guidance of mentors. On 29 October, they presented their projects on the theme 'Reset' done during the masterclass to a selected group of editors and industry professionals.
2020 participants' projects
Chosen from the
198 candidates nominated in March, the participants - 11 men and 13 women from 20 different countries - were (click on the thumbnail to see their masterclass project):
*Esther Ruth Mbabazi, was initially selected but was not able to participate.
**Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Thembinkosi Hlatshwayo was not able to take part in the masterclass.
Online learning
Traditionally, the Joop Swart Masterclass brings together masters and participants at the World Press Photo Foundation in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, during an intense five-day program in September. Because of the global pandemic, this year the masterclass was held exclusively online over a period of five months, from July to November 2020.
The components of the masterclass were similar to the traditional one, with online master presentations, individual mentoring sessions, group discussions, guest lectures, editing sessions, and small working groups.
There were two intensive online weeks. The first one, for introductions, presentations, and brainstorming, took place in mid-July. The second and final intensive week, for editing, output, and reflection, took place in mid-October. In between, the program of presentations, discussions, and individual mentoring will take place online. On 29 October, they gave an online presentation of their work done during the masterclass to a selected group of editors and industry professionals.
The theme for 2020: 'Reset'
The educational experience of the Joop Swart Masterclass is based on an assignment to produce a photo essay around a given theme. This year the theme is ‘Reset’.
2020 has been one of the most unsettling and challenging years in modern history. However, this also means that 2020 holds possibilities for change, deep reflection, and hopefully a better future. Participants are invited to express their own vision of the theme and encouraged to explore a wide variety of subjects and angles.
2020 mentors
Selection committee
This year, the Joop Swart Masterclass selection committee was:
- Adriana Teresa Letorney, Puerto Rico, founder and CEO of Visura
- Ihiro Hayami, Japan, founder of T3 Photo Festival Tokyo
- Jenny Smets, the Netherlands, curator, and educator
- Mikhael Subotzky, South Africa, artist
- Rahima Gambo, Nigeria, visual artist, and photographer
