Full Time

Duration: The Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Programme is a year programme

PDP 2025 : 29 January – 5 December 2025

*Dates may change.*

Time: Mon – Fri 09h00 – 17h00

Cost:     R22 050 for South African students and students from the continent.

R63 340 International students.

Please note that an application fee of R100 is required on application.

Equipment deposits are currently set as follows:

R650.00

Financial Assistance: Limited bursaries available for applicants from the Global South.

About the Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Programme

PDP Objective

The Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Programme (PDP) inculcates a critical awareness of socio-political issues, cultural contexts, and contemporary media practices and perspectives, as they appear within the African landscape.

PDP Outcome

Must be able to independently navigate the photojournalism and documentary practice
Must be able to work in traditional and digital media
Be able to conceptualise, research, execute and pitch the story
Be able to build professional network with fellow practitioners
Be able to map out a clearly defined career trajectory

Important information for applicants:

The PDP welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, including:

• • Practising photojournalists and documentary photographers who would like to hone their skills
  • Persons with recognised prior learning in photography who wish to advance in the fields of photojournalism and documentary photography
  • Graduates in media studies or related fields

Persons applying for the PDP Programme should have a reasonable command of the English language

Fees include the costs of using entry-level professional cameras and other equipment from the Market Photo Workshop. The use of Market Photo Workshop equipment is mandatory and students are required to pay refundable deposits for each item of equipment that they book out. The use of equipment is closely monitored by Officer: Resources during the course of students’ studies.

The modules offered in the course are as follows:

Technical Practice

Students are taught camera controls and techniques to enable them to become technically proficient in using a Digital SLR camera. Training is provided for both photography and video recording, and  the use of a tripod and a voice recorder. This module includes training in post-production and digital workflow.

Photojournalism

This module is focused on honing the skills of students as journalists who are able to relay important news events to the public through photography. Students will learn to understand how news photos work and to appreciate the power of their messages. The primary goal of this module is to develop storytelling skills through single and series of photographs. Work produced in this module will be assessed on technical competence, creative execution and newsworthiness.

Documentary Photography

This module enables students to embark on extended documentary projects that are approached from various perspectives, and which test the ability of students to research issues, themes or subjects in great depth so as to produce informed and considered photographic bodies of work.

Visual Studies

This module will introduce students to the theory and practice of image making, focusing on the development of observational skills and analytical thinking. It will look at conventions of pictorial representation across time and cultures; discuss types of visual information and help students to develop a vocabulary for discussing images; explore visual narrative techniques and seek to expand an understanding of the role images play in our culture.

Professional Practice

This module is designed to prepare students to be entrepreneurial for freelancing and to be better prepared as possible employees. This will give students access to possible career trajectories within the world of photojournalism, multimedia and documentary photography. Ultimately students will be able to effectively plan, design and build their careers within photography through knowledge and experience gained from this module.

Media Studies

This module is concerned with helping students understand mass media and its relationship to society. Here we look at the content, structures and effects of the mass media industry. This helps students to have a grasp and conception of the industry that they will possibly find themselves working within.

Multimedia

This module introduces students to the production of work comprised of different media such as photography, audio, video, sound and text for public consumption through different platforms. While this is a highly technical module, it also puts emphasis on creative storytelling that is suitable for broadcast through digital platforms.

Projects

This module is intended to introduce students to collective project based work. The form and type of project within any given year will be determined in collaboration with the Projects unit of the Market Photo Workshop. Public Participatory Projects and Research Projects in the tradition of the Market Photo Workshops’ public engagement programming will be prioritised as areas of practice.

Equipment deposits are currently set as follows:

Please note you will have to pay a R650.00 deposit fee at the start of your course to secure all equipment needed for the course.

Should you lose or damage equipment, Market Photo Workshop will keep your deposit and you will have to pay an additional amount of R500

Please make sure that you know the other policies and procedures of the Market Photo Workshop
(for example, payment policy, assessment policy, locker policy and procedures for working in the Digital Station and Darkroom).

Our resources office is made available for renting equipment during the following times:
Monday to Friday: 8:45 to 9:00am, 12:45 to 1:15pm and 3:30 to 3:45 pm.