Dear photographers, let’s stop and think.

This year, as is the case every year, we have received a massive number of proposals for exhibitions and features for the evening programs. The high-volume trend has been continuing for quite some time, but has now reached alarming proportions. So, if I may be allowed to speak out, I would like to give some tips for photographers wishing to send a story to a newspaper, magazine or festival.

First of all, editing is needed. When there are six, eight or even twelve shots of the same scene, who should be making the choice? You need to show that you have the eye, that you can select the best shot. When a submission has more than 100 shots for some 30 pictures to be hung, we may see the work of the camera, but not necessarily of the eye behind it.

There are times when we have to go through dozens of submissions in just one day, so a concise text presenting the story is always appreciated. It is just impossible for us to read 12 or 15 pages on a report, and it does not do justice to the photography.

With an accumulation of shots, certain stories are developed after the pictures are taken, but this post hoc construction technique can produce strange results, e.g. a story on “Women in Afghanistan” with no woman to be seen in any of the first 25 shots. No, this is not fiction! We see it every day.

In these turbulent times, photojournalists are obviously needed, and play an essential role which is now more important than ever. Yes, we need you, so please do not let us down.

Jean-François Leroy