"Each hand carries a unique story of its owner, narrating their experiences, struggles, and dreams."
Belal Khaled is a Palestinian photographer and artist from Gaza. He began photographing when he found himself amidst the reality of conflict and has been covering Israel’s attacks on Gaza since 2010.
For his masterclass project, Hands Tell Stories, he photographed the hands of diverse people during the war on the Gaza Strip. Belal Khaled's project aims to highlight the personal stories of individuals amidst the challenging circumstances they endure, showcasing how human willpower overcomes challenges and hardships.
Describing his project, he said, "The philosophy of this project is embodied in the idea that the hand is the storyteller, narrating the story of life and resilience amidst injustice and destruction. The innocent hand that has been killed, wounded, and forcibly displaced by the Israeli machine of barbaric destruction reflects the utmost human suffering. The project aims to present hands not only as witnesses to genocide, but as tools for healing and change, emphasizing that each touch carries a unique story, and every hand is a unique creation that reflects the human spirit. In this way, the hand emerges as a multi-dimensional symbol of challenge, pain, loss, hope, and determination to live."
For the 28th edition of the Joop Swart Masterclass, we brought together 12 emerging photographers from around the world to develop a project, and develop the tools to make a viable career in photography.
The participants' developing projects cover a wide array of topics, from explorations of love amid war to the profound impact of conflict on people’s lives. Collectively, their work highlights the concerning state of the world and the resilience of communities and journalists worldwide.
Launched in 1994, the Joop Swart Masterclass is World Press Photo’s best-known educational program for emerging photographers, encouraging new and diverse approaches to photojournalism, documentary photography and visual storytelling. After a three-year hiatus, the Joop Swart Masterclass returns this year, with a focus on the MENA region, thanks to funding from the Porticus Foundation.
