RIT to host photojournalism experts

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RIT will host the National Press Photographers Association’s Northern Short Course, the premier conference in photojournalism, March 13-15.

The 27th annual conference will feature keynote speakers from the industry, portfolio reviews and hands-on workshops in such areas as multimedia, lighting, ethics, business practices, audio, video and marketing. Keynote speakers for Saturday, March 15, include award-winning photographers Kristen Ashburn, Al Bello, Olivier Jobard and Chris Usher. Jacki Lyden, senior correspondent at National Public Radio and alternate host of All Things Considered, will also be one of the keynotes.

“RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences has worked with the association for several years to bring this conference to Rochester, the city known as the world’s image center,” says Doug Rea, department chair of RIT’s photojournalism program. “This event will put a focus on Rochester and showcase the collaborations between industry, the media and educational organizations. For me, the Northern Short Course is the richest educational experience I can bring to our photojournalism students.” RIT has an active student chapter with nearly 30 members. RIT photography students will serve as volunteers at the event and participate in the various sessions.

This year’s multimedia workshop presenters are Chuck Fadely, photographer/videographer at Miami Herald; Jacki Lyden, National Public Radio; and Regina McCombs, multimedia producer at Star Tribune in Minneapolis, Minn. RIT and Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle newspaper are two of the sponsors of the 2008 Northern Short Course. Will Yurman, staff photographer at the Democrat and Chronicle and an adjunct professor at RIT, reprises his role as organizer of the multimedia workshops.

“It’s a natural fit to have the event here in Rochester, with the area’s long history in photography and as the home to Eastman Kodak, George Eastman House and RIT,” says Yurman. “We are hoping to draw in people from the Midwest and Canada for the event.”

The conference is open to anyone. All workshops and presentations will be held at the Hyatt Regency Rochester on East Main Street in Rochester.