DVI hosts 22nd annual photography workshop

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Members of the 22nd Annual Worldwide Military Photographers Workshop take a group portrait at the Defense Media Activity Headquarters building June 16, 2014, at Fort George G. Meade, Md. The workshop was open to all Defense Department photographers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres)

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (DMA) -- Members of the Defense Information Management Operations Center in coordination with the Defense Information School hosted the 22nd Annual Defense Department Worldwide Military Photography Workshop, at Fort George G. Meade, Md., June 15 - 21. 

The workshop was designed to challenge students’ visual aptitude for storytelling.   They were tasked with an intense week of daily shooting for a story they developed with guidance from their assigned faculty editors or mentors. 

The mentors set deadlines and expectations for students and sent them back out to reshoot aspects of their stories that weren’t working up to standard.    

“The importance of this workshop is where students come in and get a chance to perfect and hone their photojournalism skills,” said retired Air Force Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock, the workshop coordinator, industry adviser and seven-time Military Photographer of the Year.  “This course lets students step out of their normal duties.”

Students’ work was critiqued and vetted by a group of highly qualified photojournalists who are hailed as some of the best in the business. 

“The editors here are amazing ... industry leaders in the civilian world,” Lock said. 

Thirty-five student photojournalists were selected to be a part of this year’s workshop out of 60 applicants. 

Air Force Senior Airman Rusty Frank, from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, is a two-time student of the workshop.  “I learned a lot about storytelling,” he said.  “All the mentors here are great. They tell you honest feedback and exactly how they feel about your work.  I need that!”    

The workshop has educated hundreds of visual information professionals across all military services.  

When asked about the course continuing, Lock said, “It’s an awesome opportunity and I would like to see even more participation.”