Photo by Rika Theron

Photo by Rika Theron

During the World Cup, Canon Professional Network interviewed Ruth de Vries, Twenty Ten project coordinator, and Greg Marinovich, editor in chief of the editorial team. The interview provides a look at the scope of the project, from the beginning of the project and its progress through the World Cup, with a focus on the work of the photographers.

Marinovich and de Vries described several photographers that stood out and the overall developments through the course of the workshops. “Some great talents have come to the fore during this program. People who might not have had access to exposure. And I’m not surprised. I’ve been working with and mentoring African photographers for two decades now, so I know they’re there. But to have an opportunity where they can express themselves and find a platform to really do thing that are not commercially bound, but suit what they want to tell, is fabulous. And people have blossomed,” Marinovich said.

De Vries also described what she hopes will come out of the project: “World Press Photo’s education department always wants to try to empower photojournalist in areas where there are not many opportunities for learning and education…I really hope that by giving them all these opportunities – the workshops, they’re coming to South Africa, they’re traveling, they’re working with very experienced photographers and editors – that it’s giving them a boost for their own careers and that they can take it from here.”

Watch the full interview here.