(DOMINICANEWSONLINE)Twenty youths from across Dominica have now honed their skills in photography after participating in a four-day photo camp organized by the National Geographic Explorers in partnership with the locally-based Project Cetacean Translation Initiative (CETI).
CETI––an approved Dominican charity focused on applying advanced machine learning and state-of-the-art robotics to listen to and translate the communication of sperm whales in Dominica––has partnered with the National Geographic Photo Camp to provide a meaningful introduction to photography to the students.
The immersive photography workshop ran from April 6-10, 2023, with guidance and mentorship from National Geographic Explorers, Ronan Donovan, and Malaika Vaz.
During the series of workshops, students explored the island from “ridge to reef” and learned the basics of photography and storytelling to express their connections to the island’s ocean and marine ecosystems, wildlife, and culture, with the overall objective of inspiring the next generation of storytellers, and supporting them in sharing their experiences and perspectives.
As part of the four-day collaboration between Project CETI and National Geographic Photo Camp, personnel from the Project CETI Dominica Marine Conservation Fellowship (DCMF) also participated in the Photo Camp.
At the end of the program, Dominica’s newly trained storytellers and photographers presented their work at a closing ceremony outlining their stories and photographs. Selects from the final show will later be exhibited at the Project CETI Fellowship Summit this July in Dominica.
“At the core of our mission and vision at Project CETI, is creating new opportunities for the youth of Dominica,” said National Geographic Explorer Dr. David Gruber, Founder and Leader of Project CETI.
“The participants in Photo Camp have beautiful and important stories to share through their photography and writing.”
Speaking on the selection process of the participants, Dr. Gruber told Dominica News Online (DNO), that the locally-based NGO, Project CETI connected with schools including Dominica State College, as well as local clubs and organizations to solicit recommendations for the training.
He explained that while National Geographic has hosted its camp in other Caribbean countries including Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Cuba, and Barbados, this is a first-time collaboration with Dominica.
Dr. Gruber said that Project CETI will continue in its effort to work toward the advancement of youths in Dominica through similar engagements and activities.
