Commons:Wiki Loves Africa 2023 in Nigeria/Wiki Loves Africa 2023 Outreach in Badagry
Wiki Loves Africa is an annual contest where anyone across Africa can contribute media related to that year's theme to Wikimedia Commons for use on Wikipedia and other WIkimedia projects. Wiki Loves Africa encourages participants to contribute media (photographs, video and audio) that illustrate the specific theme for that year. Each year the theme changes. Each year's theme is chosen by the community to be a universal, visually-rich and culturally-specific topics (for example, markets, rites of passage, festivals, public art, cuisine, natural history, urbanity, daily life, notable persons, etc).. Everybody can participate.
Outreach Effort
Photowalk and upload session for over 100 photographers at Badagry, Lagos
- Date and Timings
- 5th June 2023, 9 AM to 6 PM
- Venue
- Badagry
- Participants
- Professional photographers from partnered photography groups.
- Speakers
- Ayokanmi, Wikimedian and Photographer, Gaspo, documentary photographer and Governor Ademola Olukayode Gbosibo, Governor general of LASPPAN
- Sponsered by
- Wikimedia Nigeria
Report
Introduction
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On the 5th of June, an extraordinary event unfolded in the city of Badagry area of Lagos. In a remarkable collaboration with Phototreck and the Lagos State Professional Photographers Association (LASPPAN), we hosted a Photowalk event that not only celebrated the art of photography but also forged meaningful connections among the photography community in Nigeria. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the event, its outcomes, and its positive impact on the photography landscape.
Event Overview
The Photowalk event commenced with an air of anticipation, drawing a crowd of 154 professional photographers from the LASPPAN, each eager to explore the unique photographic opportunities that Badagry had to offer. We divided the day into a morning photo walk and an afternoon upload session.
- Morning Photowalk: The morning photo walk was a journey of visual discovery through the historic and culturally rich landscapes of Badagry. Participants roamed the cobbled streets, capturing the essence of the area's architecture, vibrant markets, and captivating coastal scenes. The diverse photographic subjects provided a playground for creativity and artistic expression.
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- Afternoon Upload Session: Following the photo walk, participants convened for an upload session where they could share their photographic treasures. The photographers were excited about the concept. It became evident that some photographers encountered challenges in uploading their images. The challenges were mainly due to the absence of personal laptops, highlighting the need for future events to offer more accessible image-sharing solutions.
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Key Outcomes and Achievements
- Strengthening Photography Communities: The event facilitated a platform for photographers to connect and collaborate. It ignited a sense of camaraderie among the participants, leading to the creation of new photography groups. These groups aimed to foster knowledge sharing and collective growth within the photography community.
- Promotion of Badagry: The Photowalk showcased the beauty and cultural richness of Badagry, thus supporting tourism and local businesses. The interested populace can use the photographs gathered by the participants during the event to promote the area and its attractions.
Partnership Building: Our collaboration with Phototreck and LASPPAN was instrumental in the event's success. It has paved the way for future collaborative projects and strengthened our relationship with key stakeholders in the photography industry.
- Education and Skill Enhancement: The event was a celebration of photography and an opportunity for learning and skill enhancement. Participants shared knowledge and techniques, contributing to the overall growth of photography as an art form.
Recommendations
- Improved Upload Facilities: To address the challenge faced during the upload session, we plan to consider alternative upload methods, such as shared laptops or internet cafes, to help participants share their work.
- Continued Collaboration: We recommend maintaining and expanding our collaboration with photography organizations in Nigeria. The partnership will foster a sense of unity and cooperation among photographers and contribute to the growth of the photography community.
Conclusion
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The Photowalk event in Badagry was not just a gathering of photographers but a celebration of art, culture, and community. It exemplified the power of collaboration in bringing photographers together and strengthening the photography landscape in Nigeria. The event promoted the beauty of Badagry and created enduring relationships among photographers, fostering a spirit of creativity and mutual support. We look forward to building on the success of this event and creating more opportunities for the photography community in the future.