Collaboration in Beirut produces better picture stories

The discovery of a fisherwoman who sleeps rough on Beirut's seafront provided a storytelling opportunity for two of a group of photojournalism trainees.

Angham Alsarhi from Yemen and Nabiya Hajaig from Lebanon collaborated on the pictures as part of their training on a photojournalism course being held in Beirut for photojournalists from Yemen, Syria and Lebanon, in partnership with British Council, Beirut and the photography centre Dar Al Mussawir.

Angham found the fisherwoman, and produced pictures of her working during the day, and then Nabiya asked if she could tell the story her way and went back at 6am to find her still sleeping.

Picture: Nabiya Hajaig, Lebanon

Picture: Angham Alsarhi, Yemen

Teamwork and friendship The 15-strong group is being encouraged to build portfolios of photos which tell stories about their countries, and their culture.

I felt the attitude and enthusiasm of both women was exceptional, says trainer Glenn Edwards. Their team work and friendship evolved during the week.

They just didn t give in

Glenn Edwards, Thomson Foundation photojournalism trainer There was also a sense of determination that when a story didn't happen, for whatever reason, they didn't just give in but were always looking for something else worthy to photograph.

This is exactly what we are trying to achieve within this workshop. It is not just pressing a button for a single image but thinking about the story we are trying to tell.

The photojournalism workshops are supported and funded by the British Council. The next workshop will be in June.

Photographers Gallery - Beirut

Dia Al-Ademi - Yemeni

Omar Alobidy - Yemeni

Rola Jawad - Lebanese

Sarah Khodr - Syrian

Jafar Almerey Syrian

Hassan Bilal - Syrian

Ibrahim Abdelrazik - Palestinian

Yeyha Fallaha - Syrian

Nabiha Hajaig - Lebanese

Eman Al-Awami - Yemeni

Reine Chahine - Lebanese

Ahmad el Zeer - Lebanese

Lujain Al-Aranji - Syrian

Mohammed Al-Mekhlafi - Yemeni

Angham Alsarhi - Yemeni

Helen Scott Editorial Associate

About: Helen is an experienced trainer, consultant and project manager with a background in programme making and management. She led the five year media capacity building project in Sudan.

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