Photojournalism: Crafting Visual Narratives

In every democratic system, the cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and the protection

of human rights lies in the freedom of the press. At Dikan, we know powerful storytelling is a tool

that can inspire, educate, and incite transformative change. Our recently ended 4-day

“Photojournalism: Crafting Visual Narratives” workshop provided a platform to master the craft

of captivating storytelling through the lens. In collaboration with the US Embassy-Ghana, this

was the final installment in a series of transformative workshops, activities, and events to

strengthen the capabilities and learning opportunities for photojournalists in Ghana. The goal

was to enhance media literacy and foster innovative visual storytelling to uphold, enhance, and

preserve press liberty within Ghana.

Leading the immersive experience were two distinguished figures: Pete Souza, the former Chief

Official White House Photographer to the Obama administration, and Alice Gabriner, a

renowned photo editor. The workshop began with introductions to Pete and Alice, and

participants introduced their own projects that would be used for review over the course of the

workshop.

Emily S. Fertik, Public Diplomacy Counselor at the Embassy, spoke to workshop participants on

the importance of ethical, bold, and responsible photojournalism and its role in fostering

democracy. This set the tone for a week that would go beyond technicalities, and explore the

essence of visual storytelling.

The workshop took participants through a comprehensive education of the core components of

crafting visual narratives. Participants had the opportunity to exhibit their work, engaging in

constructive criticism and receiving valuable feedback. Pete Souza guided them through

intentional questions, encouraging critical thinking about their subjects. Drawing examples from

Obama’s rally, the workshop covered techniques of shooting, emphasizing the importance of

setting, lighting, and subjects. Participants learned the significance of setting the visual scene of

an event a day before it unfolds and the importance of finding a focal point to tell a compelling

story — be it through capturing people’s faces or headshots.

As the workshop concluded, participants emerged having honed their skill in the art of crafting

compelling visual narratives, significantly enhancing their capacity to critique, question, and

illuminate perspectives through their lenses.

Reflecting on the learning experience, we are grateful to Pete Souza and Alice Gabriner for the

invaluable knowledge at their time with Dikan to impart an unforgettable learning experience.

Participants have honed their skills in several crucially important areas of visual storytelling,

improving the ability to communicate honestly and truthfully. As a result of this workshop, we

believe that we have enhanced the capacity of photojournalists in Ghana to adeptly cover the

upcoming 2024 elections through countering disinformation and safeguarding the principles of

press freedom.