After rigorous background checks three boys and four girls were selected, known as Pen Pals.
They had to attend classroom sessions at the Flemings’ Studio in Gray Street, on Monday afternoons, and were given homework programmes to work on during the week. Their photographic skills were enhanced by constructive criticism of their efforts. They were also taken on expeditions to ’shoot’ under the guidance of Ian Fleming or his son Warren.
Ian decided to award recognition to a student who stood out on the course - not necessarily based on photographs submitted, although an exhibition will be printed and donated by FotoFirst and mounted by Glenda Fleming - two of the best prints of each student will go on display in The Ian Fleming Gallery. The award was to go to the student who showed determination, commitment tenacity, excellent attendance, and excellent commitment to duty in carrying out all assignments given out, and self discipline. This student was to be donated an Olympus Pen by Pippa Jarman for personal development as a photographer, while a camera bag and memory cards were donated by Ian Fleming.
The student chosen was Jason Alie, who was recently also selected as the most competent South African Sea Cadet of 2011. Alie leaves tomorrow (Friday, November 25) to travel to Port Elizabeth, to fly to Johannesburg and then on to London.
He will spend three weeks and two days in England and Scotland as a guest of the UK Sea Cadets, the British Army and Royal Navy and should have ample opportunity to practise his newly acquired photographic skills.
The Ian Fleming Gallery will be having an opening function at 18:00 on Monday, December 12, for the student’s exhibition. The event and exhibition are open to all, (cash bar).
The tradition and training of Pen Pals will continue next year and will be open to all high school pupils, not restricted to Grade 12 learners as it was this year.
.jpg)
Ian Fleming with his seven Pen Pals of 2011.
