Photojournalism and social documentary without frontiers is our philosophy. Through this dictum we aim to help disadvantaged people responsibly develop their own futures, not only by raising awareness of social issues that directly effect them, but also by assisting in the process of breaking down the barriers of discrimination, ignorance, injustice and prejudice that prevent meaningful progress.
History has shown that photography can be a powerful method of documenting the social injustices that far too many people in the world have to face on a daily basis. Who can forget the powerful images of Vietnam compiled by the late and great Welsh magnum photographer Philip Jones Griffith's? You may not know the photographer, but many of his iconic images were emblazoned onto our consciousness and played a vital role in changing public opinion in America against that country’s involvement in the beleaguered Vietnam War.
Many photographers have documented important social issues from around the world. In so doing they have given ordinary people the opportunity to see for themselves how things really are. And when enough people get impassioned about something strongly enough... things can happen! Things can change!
© Tony Lane ARPS
VQP's aim is to continue working to bring to the fore documentary evidence of the way in which people are forced to suffer in a world where there should be no more suffering. We also aim to provide Creative Photography Workshops that can help individuals and local communities deal with their own issues through education, information and training and provide the expertise they need to responsibly develop their own futures.
We believe it is vital to defeat ignorance in all its forms. The key to empowerment is not to disengage, but to help others take responsibility for their own lives through education, compassion, awareness and understanding. Perhaps there will never be a time when poverty will be eradicated once and for all and when equality, justice and peace finally reign supreme. We can only live in hope that one day man will come to his senses and see that we are all, in fact, equal. In the meantime we must try and do everything we can to ensure that at the very least, those that are left unheard can be given a voice and those that choose to ignore their cries for help, will be confronted by hard hitting evidence that simply portrays the truth.
