I was taking photos at the Combined Schools Choir concert last week Thursday, when something really cool happened. I made a mistake- and out came a fantastic photograph.

Immediately, I  tried to repeat the mistake. No luck. I tried again and again until I could replicate it at will.

By simply zooming out really fast while I was simultaneously taking the photo, it gave the picture a mad crazy zoom effect (The zoom has to be manual. This won’t work with a digital zoom).

I was taken. Still am.

The concert was held at the Celebration Centre and featured just under 500 pupils from 13 Harare Schools. The theme this year was “musica mirabilis est”, meaning “music is beautiful”. The concert drew an audience of over 4,000 people and proceeds from ticket sales (at Z$2,5oo or US$5 a head) will go to the National Musicamp Association and Marondera Child Care Society.

Ok Fungai, you’re saying, great stuff but let’s see some real photos from the event. No problem, I have posted some right here.

^ Who needs a pharmacy?

Don’t worry doctor, we’ve got it covered.

I’m getting married in the sun! But I’ll put my make up on in the the dimly lit rooms of a township in Zimbabwe. I’m getting hooked up in the rain! But I’ll be beautiful through the day! I’m getting married with the wind as witness. Make sure my tiara is firmly set.

Quickly, quicky, with that mascara! I want to rush out tinofara!

When the sun sets in Zaka- it sets everywhere else.

It’s a new day for Zimbabwe. Out in the dust the children play. Still hungry. Still teacherless. Still pocket moneyless. We are waiting for the ink from the signing to seep through the paper, seep through the meetings and meetings- through to their tummies.

It doesn’t take much to set up a hair dressing salon here.  Women can be seen on street corners, out at the flea markets and in backyards nimbly transforming each other’s hairdos into objects of wonder.

Some hairdo’s can take a whole day. You can see them sitting there for hours on end going at it. Patience. Strand by strand, braid by braid, till an amazing flow of evenly tensioned black locks is completed.

This year Environment Africa celebrates the 10th anniversary of the environmental reporter of the year awards with a special new twist- a photographic competition open to anyone with a camera.

According to Deliwe Utete, the Public Relations and Communications Manager for Environment Africa, unlike the actual environmental reporter awards competition that is open to strictly practising journalist whose works must have been published or broadcast this competition is open to everyone with no limits in terms of age, occupation etc.

All photographs entered must be the entrant’s original work. Verification will be done for short-listed photographs to ensure that their pictures are original. See other conditions below.

Several other events are lined up for the media and other stakeholders to celebrate the decade. The winner of the photography competition will be announced at an environmental reporter awards decade celebration grand event that will be held in November.

The open photography competition is sponsored by Rainbow Tourism Group and Environment Africa and the Environmental Reporter Awards by Environment Africa, RTG, NetOne and Blue Arrow.

Competition Rules

• The competition is open to all residents of Zimbabwe.
• Only digital and still photographs will be accepted.
• Individuals may send a maximum of three pictures.
• Entries should be accompanied by the name, age, occupation and contact details of the entrant.
• Each photograph should be submitted with its own caption.
• Deadline for entries is 30th September 2008
• Entries are to be
  posted to:
  The PR & Communication Department, Environment Africa, 76 Queen Elizabeth Road, Greendale, Harare
  or emailed to:
  eafrica.dev@utande.co.zw

You may call Deliwe on 04 492143/48/52 for more information.

The Prizes

• Holiday voucher for two (full board)
• Certificate and miniature trophy
• Cash Prize
• Photo exhibition for winner
• One month attachment with a regional environmental Non-Governemental Organisation

The African Photo Entrepreneur Programme is specifically aimed at growing photo entrepreneurs who can compete on the global stage in terms of photo production and market savvy. Launched ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the programme will be run in South Africa in the latter half of 2008 and represents an investment of over R30,000 in each participant.

The programme is sponsored in part by the European Union through Gijima KZN, an initiative of the Department of Economic Development, and requires participants to apply to be selected. A panel of eminent judges from media, art and product markets, will ensure the standard of participants is high. Judges will be announced as they are confirmed.

Part of Africa Media Online’s African Image Pipeline project, the programme includes participation in the Digital Campus, a photo assignment, and for those who carry out the assignment successfully, a further two day Global Competitiveness Masterclass.

The aim of the whole programme is to equip participants to become adept at supplying the needs of international publishing, art and product markets. It not only involves digital imaging and digital workflow skills and disciplines, but also an awareness of market demands and routes to market. Find out more here

Photo by Shingie.