The DCU student magazine "Flashback" popped through my letterbox today thanks to Claire Brown. I answered a few questions for her some weeks back about being a photographer, how photojournalism has all changed, changed utterly and recounted some of my African experiences. Not least of which was getting detained in the Democratic Republic of Congo by those charming fellows at the ANR (Congolese Secret Police) on arrival in the country alone one rainy November night. For my students, past, present and future, Claire asked me about advice for young aspiring photojournalists. So, I'll repeat it here just for you guys "Photograph what moves you. Come up with an idea for a long-term project, keying off something that's personal to you and that you care about. This way, you will shoot with a passion and a purpose and this will show in your images. Build up a relationship with your subject and develop your social skills. Get inspired by looking at the work of photographers you admire in books, on websites etc. Photojournalism won't make you rich but if you are happy to be fulfilled on a personal and professional level, then don't give up"
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