SRD has recently conducted a training course for its project officers in photography. The course was to highlight the importance of photography to NGOs and their marketing and communications methods, as well as practical techniques in taking high-quality photographs. The training course was run by Kristy Simmons, one of the current Australian volunteers, sponsored by the AYAD program, who is working as a Communications and Visual Media Officer, and has a background in professional photography.

The aim of the course was to increase the photography skills of the POs, that they might take higher-quality photographs when working in the field to assist the communication and create a better channel for information transferring of SRD to the donors, partners and communities.

The training course was conducted over one day. The morning session consisted of theory, including the importance of photography for marketing and communications in NGOs, and an assessment of SRD’s current use of photography. The POs were then introduced to the elements of a good photograph, including compositional techniques, using colour and pattern, and portraiture techniques, and then discussed these techniques at length.

The afternoon was spent practicing these new-learned skills at the Botanical Gardens in Hanoi. The POs were instructed to submit their best images from the afternoon, including the compositional and photographical elements that had been discussed in the theory session, into an office competition, which will be judged by the trainer. Awards were given for first, second, and third places as well as two highly commended places.