Culture & Education | Wednesday 7 November, 2018 4:47 am |

“When you work in the same profession for 25 years, you reach a certain point in your career when you have the urge to pass on what you have learnt to the next generation,” remarked Timothy Allen upon being asked about his inspiration that led to the launch of Timothy Allen Scholarship Award (TAPSA). In 2016, Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) collaborated with Allen and created this immersive scholarship programme. As an important component of Xposure 2018 International Photography Festival, which is being held from November 21-24 at Expo Centre Sharjah, TAPSA brings together five talented photographers for a 10-day learning experience in Sharjah.

This is the third edition of TAPSA and the number of applicants has doubled since its last edition. Allen received over 1529 applications whose evolving quality left him with 10 finalists and 5 winners. Names of winners were announced on October 11stduring a live-stream. “I could have picked any of the 10 shortlisted, that’s how high the standard of entry is this year,” exclaimed Allen. The five winning photographers are Dan Giannopoulos (UK), Ranita Roy (India), Linus Escandor II (Philippines), Stephanie Foden (Canada), and Sharafat Ali (India). Their portfolios showed ingenuity, originality, and photographic excellence. The winners have been awarded a 10-day package to Sharjah and get a chance to participate in a 5-day workshop with Allen himself.

 “We get to spend 10 full days together in a very intimate setting. The photographers and I work together very closely and that’s what I love about it. It’s intensive and intense. We all walk away being absolutely inspired, myself included,” remarked Allen. 

TAPSA and Xposure as a platform bring together photographers from across the world, where they get to learn and hone their skills. More importantly, budding photographers can renew their sense of confidence and inspiration. Normally, photographers put up their images online and get casual feedback from friends and family. However, such events allow for professional critiques that help them identify their mistakes, talents, and further their growth process. 

“Photography can be an isolating job and what photographers don’t often get is honest feedback on their work,” said Allen, “TAPSA’s biggest help is in critiquing hard. I don’t hold back. I honestly critique their work and seek to inspire confidence in people.” 

What made Timothy Allen such an immense success?

When Timothy Allen began his career, the industry was a very different space. He had a convoluted career path that began with newspapers and magazines, and that worked very well for him. He embarked on his journey as a photographer at The Sunday Telegraph in London, followed by a 6-year position at The Independent, working predominantly on features and portraits. In 2002, Allen joined Axiom Photographic Agency, where he covered a dynamic and broad spectrum of global stories. In 2009, the BBC commissioned him to work on the landmark series, Human Planet. Allen is a strong advocate of hard work, enthusiasm, and diligence. One of his core tenets as a human being is the urge to share things with people – whether it’s something amazing he has witnessed or something he learned. That’s essentially what drives his passion for photography and it is also the nature of the art itself – to be able to show people your perspective and hope that they will be inspired by it. 

Allen’s sense of responsibility is embedded in all his photos. He ensures that those in his photograph are comfortable with what he is doing and they should also comprehend the implications of what might happen. “I work in lots of places where people don’t have a huge understanding of the media. It is a surprise to them that I could take a picture of them and a million people could be looking at it. Some people don’t want millions of people looking at them, so it’s important that everyone I photograph wants me there. I look for pride, happiness, and enthusiasm. I don’t shoot where I am not wanted,” said Allen. 

One of the most inspiring places that Allen went to was Zanskar in Kashmir, where a group of school children had to walk for five days down the Chadar frozen river to their boarding school. “That’s the kind of inspiration I look for – the students walked with one of their parents, slept in caves, and were awesome and highly responsible. The journey made beautiful photos but more importantly, it was inspiring,” remarked Allen. 

Allen’s Advice for Aspirants

“There is nothing worse than a young photographer telling you how bad their life is. I get emails from photographers who basically want to come and work for me. Almost 60% of them begin by saying, 'I think it would be great for my career.’ That’s not the way to approach someone for a job. We have to tell people what we can offer them, not what they can offer us,” explained Allen. 

He added that there is nothing specific that makes a good photographer. Successful photographers develop differently and utilise their individual strengths. A good photographer should be aware of lighting and more importantly, recognise a good story. In the process of filtering applicants, Allen looks for something original.

“Make me look twice. Show me something I haven’t seen before. There are too many people shooting the same old stuff. They make lovely pictures, but they’re completely unoriginal,” suggested Allen. 

Winners of TAPSA will undertake assignments and receive portfolio reviews, one-to-one coaching, location photography training and the opportunity to present their work and story to a live audience in the main auditorium during Xposure 2018. They will also benefit from opportunities to meet some of the greatest names in photography and receive an additional portfolio review from a leading Director of Photography or Photo Editor, as well as participate in seminars and additional workshops.