Neo Ntsoma
Neo Ntsoma | |
---|---|
File:Neo Ntsoma Portrait.jpg | |
Born | Mafikeng, South Africa |
Residence | Johannesburg, Gauteng Province |
Education | Technikon Pretoria, Peninsula Technikon |
Occupation | Portraiture, photojounalism |
Years active | 1992–present |
Neo Ntsoma (27 December 1972) is a South African photographer known for her photojournalism, portraiture, music and popular culture photography.[1][2] born in Vryburg and brought up in the rural areas of Mafikeng in the North West Province, her fascination about films was triggered at an early age.[3] Growing up in the apartheid era and seeing the negative portrayal images of black South Africans and the lack of participation of black women in a media industry dominated by white males, this reinvigorated her to want to make change, however it was not an easy dream to fulfil due to race restrictions at the time.[1] Ntsoma attended St Mary's High School where she would be introduced to music, dance and drama, this is where she knew her career path was different from her peers.[1][3][4]
Early years
Born in Vryburg and brought up in the rural areas of Mafikeng in the North West Province.[1][2] Ntsoma is last of the third children born to Olefile Ntsoma and Nomalanga Maria Ntsoma née Hlabangane. Photography is a profession she fell into by accident, a profession not known for black women at that time. Ntsoma began her studies at Peninsula Technikon in 1992, Her initial interest was in Film and Television.[5] she never picked up a camera prior to her enrolment at the Technikon.[1][3] She later moved to Pretoria Technikon between 1994 and 1995 to further her studies specialising in Fashion and Advertising although she was denied the opportunity to graduate.[6]
Career
Despite challenges and setbacks on her journey, in 1998 Ntsoma became the first black woman photographer to work for one of the biggest newspapers in South Africa, The Star.[5][7] Although Ntsoma never felt discriminated by her colleagues whom were mainly white and male, she felt the need to constantly prove herself to gain the recognition in the industry.[8] As Ntsoma explains in her artistry statement,
- I used to take pictures to make people believe in me. Now, I take pictures to make people believe in the subject of my photographs. My aim is to share my point of view about something, and also what I am feeling about it. But what's important for me is to capture the spirit and soul of the subject I am photographing.[3][8][9]
In 2004, Neo Ntsoma became the first woman recipient of the Mohamed Amin Award, the CNN African Journalist of the Year Photography Prize for her photo essay entitled, 'Their World in Flames'.[10] Over the years her career has also spanned to fine arts and celebrity photography.[1]
Awards
- 2005 National Geographic All Roads Photo Program Award
- 2005 Mondi Shanduka Newspaper Awards (Premier Award Winner – Photography)
- 2005 Fuji Southern Africa Press Awards – (Picture Story Runner-up)
- 2005 Fuji South Africa Professional Awards – GOLD Fine Art
- 2005 Fuji South Africa Professional Awards – SILVER Fine Art
- 2005 Fuji South Africa Professional Awards – BRONCE Manipulation
- 2005 Fuji South Africa Professional Awards – SILVER Automotive
- 2004 CNN – Mohammed Amin Award (First woman recipient)
- 2004 Fuji Southern Africa Press Photographer of the Year (Runner-up)
- 2004 Fuji Southern Africa Press Awards – (Picture Story – Winner)
- 2004 Fuji African Press Photo Awards- VISA POUR L'IMAGE (Runner – Up)
- 2004 Fuji African Press Photo Awards- VISA POUR L'IMAGE (News – Runner-up)
- 2003 Fuji South Africa Press Awards (Highly Commended – Picture Story)
- 2002 Fuji South Africa Press Awards (Highly Commended – Feature Single)[7]
- 2002 Fuji South Africa Press Awards (Judges Selection)[7]
- 2002 Mondi Paper Newspaper Awards – (Finalist)[11]
Honours
- 2007 Member of the judging jury – Fuji Southern Africa Press Awards
- 2006 MTN Women in the Media Award (Finalist)[9]
- 2006 True Love magazine 100 women who have made an impact local and globally.[12]
- 2006 Cosmopolitan magazine "30 Awesome Women, an annual feature in Cosmopolitan magazine, in celebration of South Africa's outstanding women achievers."[7][13]
- 2005 The first photographer from the Southern Hemisphere to have a picture selected to go on the front cover of One World Calendar.
- 2004 Time magazine Pictures of the week (23–29 August)
- 2004 Cosmopolitan magazine "30 Awesome Women, an annual feature in Cosmopolitan magazine, in celebration of South Africa's outstanding women achievers."
References
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External links
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