The Canon Student Development Programme (CSDP) is a gateway into the competitive world of documentary photography, offering mentorships with industry legends, practical guidance and the chance to forge career-shaping relationships.
The 2023 selection process started with an open call for applicants from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 100 of whom advanced to the mentoring stage, receiving guidance from professionals to help refine their portfolios. In September, the top 30 gathered in Girona, Spain, and Perpignan, France, for workshops, portfolio reviews and seminars, culminating at the Visa pour l'Image international festival of photojournalism. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity enabled the participants to meet and connect with some of the biggest names in the industry, including acclaimed photographers and Canon Ambassadors Aïda Muluneh, Brent Stirton and Paolo Pellegrin, Assistant Editor for International Photography at the New York Times, Gaia Tripoli, and Picture Editor and Head of Photography at The Guardian, Fiona Shields.
Finalist Fatma Fahmy said being invited to this exclusive workshop was a career-defining moment. "Building connections and networks is crucial in this field," she explains. "Working on your photography style and connecting with people who appreciate your work is essential for success."
The programme came to a close with the top five students invited to attend the Hamburg Portfolio Review in Germany. As part of their prize, the finalists also received up to €9,000 of Canon equipment and a €2,000 grant to support their professional journey.
We spoke with the five 2023 finalists to hear their thoughts on the programme and their advice for 2024's applicants, as well as hearing from CSDP judge, photojournalist and Canon Ambassador Marco Longari to discover what he found most compelling about each candidate's portfolio.
STUDENT
Canon Student Development Programme: meet the 2023 finalists
Ahmed Qabel
Why did you apply to the CSDP?
"It's a valuable opportunity to review my work and learn from the professionals. Viewing your work through different perspectives is essential for growth."
How has the programme helped you?
"I learned how important it is to view my work from multiple perspectives, because the critiques I received are invaluable in helping me understand what I might be missing. As for the award, it will greatly aid in improving the quality of my content and provide me with more time to work without feeling pressured."
Ahmed Qabel, 24
Website: ahmedqabel.com
Social media: @ahmedqabel_
What advice would you give to those applying for next year's CSDP?
"Be prepared for rejection, but don't lose hope! I experienced rejection from the programme last year. Seize every chance to enhance your skills."
What Canon kit did you choose?
"I decided to go with the Canon EOS R5 as it aligns with my needs. For the lens I chose the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM for its exceptional quality, durable materials and the added benefit of a customisable ring. This lens significantly enhances the overall shooting experience and provides the flexibility I need."
Judge's comments
Marco Longari: "Ahmed presented a solid portfolio. Right from the start he was identified as someone with huge potential. His body of work won because it was multifaceted, contemporary, engaging and showed a deep commitment to the medium and to a personal and authorial vision of photography. My advice to Ahmed is to nurture the powerful nature of his vision."
Ebrahim Alipoor
Why did you apply to the CSDP?
"I've been doing photography for many years, but I've never had a mentor or an opportunity to improve my skills, so it gave me all of that."
How has the programme helped you?
"This was the first photography programme I've ever been a part of, so every moment of it was incredibly useful. In Kurdistan, there aren't many opportunities to learn or improve your skills, but this programme gave me everything that I needed. I learned new processes that without this programme would have been impossible for me to learn. I now see my photography career in two parts: before this programme and after. In terms of my photography, I learned not to rely on my 24mm lens as much, to make layers in photos and to get closer to the subject. I'm now more confident in pitching, knowing how to get my images published and getting new assignments."
Ebrahim Alipoor, 33
Website: ebrahimalipoor.com
Social media: @ebrahim_alipoor
What advice would you give to those applying for next year's CSDP?
"Ask yourself – do you want a better future and more opportunities? If the answer is 'yes', then apply!"
What Canon kit did you choose?
I tested the Canon EOS R6 Mark II on the programme and found the autofocus system, weight, processing and battery to be really amazing, so I chose that. I'm a documentary photographer so I like the zoom flexibility of the Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM lens. It gives me so many shooting options all in one lens, so it's an amazing fit with my work."
Judge's comments
Marco Longari: "Ebrahim's entry was powerful and tragic. A powerful testimony and a powerful engagement. He won because his images are poignant, and the stories are honest, told with direct and unwavering commitment. My advice for Ebrahim is to preserve this vision, develop it and use the connections he made on the programme to broaden his perspective on photography."
Fatma Fahmy
Why did you apply to the CSDP?
"I applied to the CSDP in 2020, and while I didn't win, it led to an opportunity to work with Reuters. But what I craved was mentorship. I reapplied to the programme because I firmly believe that refining your photography style and connecting with those who appreciate your work are essential for success."
What impact has the programme had?
"Mentors Aïda Muluneh and Marco Longari provided me with valuable advice on storytelling, encouraging me to cover various aspects of Egypt. Their recognition and support meant a lot to me."
Fatma Fahmy, 32
Social media: @fatmah.fahmy
What advice would you give to those applying for next year's CSDP?
"My advice is to work hard, follow your dreams, and apply not just once but multiple times until you improve your work. Don't hesitate to apply even if you don't have a good idea; mentors can help you start and improve it."
What Canon kit did you choose?
"I'm considering either the Canon EOS R6 Mark II or the EOS R5 because all my previous work was done with a cropped-frame camera. I'm eager to upgrade the quality of my work in my project and be able to shoot at night without any limitations."
Judge's comments
Marco Longari: "Fatma's application immediately resonated with the judges; her work is nuanced and informed. She won because she worked hard to build her portfolio, and this was recognised and encouraged. My advice for Fatma is to keep her head down and keep the inner engineer at bay!"
Michał Siarek
Why did you apply to the CSDP?
"I lived under a rock for a couple years in the far north working on a story and completely lost touch with the industry. I felt the programme was an opportunity to get back into things, almost like a second start after a long sabbatical."
What impact has the programme had?
"It took me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to meet people that it wouldn't normally be possible to meet, such as Brent Stirton or Fiona Shields from The Guardian. It was an amazing opportunity to ask their opinions. On a more personal note, it fosters a conversation between peers that's sort of like a pat on the back. So, it's not only about education and pushing you within your network, but it's also just allowing you to be vulnerable and sharing things with people who you wouldn't necessarily have known how to contact."
Michał Siarek, 32
Website: michalsiarek.com
Social media: @michal.siarek
What advice would you give to those applying for next year's CSDP?
"It's an intense, but safe space to discuss your doubts about your work. It was the most important professional experience I've had in years. I think this can single-handedly kickstart your career."
What Canon kit did you choose?
"The story I'm working on now relates to animals, so Canon's telephoto lenses are my go-to choice. Canon's RF mount options and EOS R System camera bodies have my interest."
Judge's comments
Marco Longari: "Michał is a well-rounded photographer who is talented and informed. He won because his work was articulate, polished, well thought out and well-executed. My advice to Michał is to keep exploring what's around you with the same inquisitive and curious attitude."
Mohamed Hassan
What made you apply to the CSDP?
"I wanted to have my work evaluated by professionals in the field. I hoped to make contacts with editors, artists and curators so I could share my future projects with them, and that's exactly what happened."
What impact has the programme had?
"Anyone can possess a truly impressive body of work, but what sets it apart is the quality of editing, which is something I am continuing to improve on. That, and the judges telling me, 'Mohamed you're not a photographer, you're an artist."
What advice would you give to those applying for next year's CSDP?
"When capturing images for your application, try working in new ways and don't worry if it doesn't work out, just have another go – some of the best pictures are happy accidents."
Mohamed Hassan, 39
Website: mohamedhassanphotography.com
Social media: @mohamed_hassan.photo
What Canon kit did you choose?
"I went for the Canon EOS R5 and Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM lens because not only is it the perfect combo for shooting commercial work, but it will help me with my personal projects too."
Judge's comments
Marco Longari: "Mohamed's images were fresh, interesting and compelling. The story of the commuters resonates universally; his approach is one of an experienced photographer. My advice for Mohamed is to leave the comfort zone of his patch."
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