Lentegeur resident Avron Plaatjies is out to capture the imagination of his community by sharing his photography skills.
Avron, 27, who has seven years of photography under his belt, was not able to complete his formal training due to a shortage of funds.
He wasn’t able to get a scholarship and had to deregister from his photography course as he needed R55 000 to continue his studies, this
year.
Now he wants to help photographers in his community improve their skills.
Assisted by professional photographers Darren Francis, 37, originally from Tafelsig and now living in Muizenberg, JP Crouch, 38, from Kuils River, Johan Samuels, 45, from Kuils River and Brandon St Clair, 40, from Kuils River, Avron ran a Photo Connect workshop at Shekinah Full
Gospel Church in Beacon Valley, on Saturday April 13.
“The industry is very expensive and inaccessible for the ordinary person. I wanted to connect the dots between the professional and ordinary photographer,” said Avron.
University is expensive and inaccessible for many, he added.
Dale Sylvester, from Tafelsig, said he was inspired by the photographers and how they saw life through the lens.
“So many things happen in my community. I may not have the longing to take a photograph of people in a fire or protest but I have the ability to take pictures and share a positive message,” said Dale.
Jerine Thomas, 40, from Lentegeur, said she started taking photographs last year but still had much to learn.
“You can hear their passion. They want to enrich the community with their knowledge,” she said.
“I don’t want our young people to shoot with guns, they should be shooting photos. Our community needs this, it is as if our people do not know of the opportunities out there. I wish to inspire my generation to become professional photographers in their own right,” said Avron.