“Ten years ago, Russia invaded the Eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas and turned it into the epicenter of the war. In 2024, while advancing here, Russian troops are destroying towns, killing civilians, or forcing them to escape. However, life goes on in frontline communities, frequently staying undocumented. I was born and raised in Donbas and have a strong attachment to this place.”
Serhii Korovayny is a Ukrainian photojournalist. His masterclass project, A Love letter to Donbas, focuses on the everyday lives of residents of the region. It is a tribute to its beauty and fragility amid the brutal reality of the conflict.
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.
See more work by 2024 Joop Swart Masterclass participants here
