What Have We Done?
Program Art Education
Seventy Years of World Press Photo Under the Lens
What do you really see when you look at news images?
Who selects those photos, which stories remain unseen, and how does the meaning of an image shift through framing, captions, or editing? In What Have We Done? students explore seven decades of photojournalism: from iconic images to overlooked perspectives. They learn to look more critically, ask questions, and create their own visual stories.
What Have We Done?
Interactive Tour
Looking, choosing, framing
In this active tour, students train their “news gaze.” They dissect visual choices (angle, framing, timing), discuss ethics (privacy, consent, impact), and analyze framing (headline, caption, sequence). We compare images across time: what repeats, what changes, who speaks, who is being looked at?
Duration: 60 minutes
Methods: close looking, voting cards, mini-debates, visual thinking strategy
Learning goals: visual literacy, source criticism, historical perspective
Workshop
Photo, fact & framing
In this in-depth workshop, students step into the role of picture editors. In groups they create their own “front page” or online news post with archive images from the exhibition and free visual material (provided on site). They write headlines and captions, test how small choices make big differences, and reflect on responsibility and bias.
Duration: 90 minutes
Methods: selecting, editing, caption clinic, peer review
Learning goals: media literacy, collaboration, argumentation, creative editing
Tip: The tour and workshop can be booked separately or combined (recommended).
Workshop
Street Photography
In this workshop, one of the seven professional photographers from Rauw Vermogen takes students into the streets of Groningen. At every corner, something is happening: from small moments to major encounters. The focus is on photographing people. That may sound daunting, but once you take the first step, it feels like second nature.
Students work in pairs and receive challenging assignments. While one photographs, the other observes and gives feedback; then they switch roles. This way, they learn how to approach people, build trust, and use the street as a stage to make the best photos.
And the beauty of street photography is this: everyone sees the same scene, but you decide what to frame. The possibilities are endless.
Duration: 3 hours
Methods: introduction, street assignments in pairs, feedback, presentation
Learning goals: observation, collaboration, self-confidence, visual storytelling, ethical awareness
Target groups
Secondary school, vocational (MBO), and university of applied sciences (HBO) students. Fits well with courses such as Cultural & Artistic Education (CKV), Dutch, Social Studies, History, Citizenship, Journalism/Media.
Practical & costs
- Tour (60 min): €75 per group (max. 15 students; larger groups will be split).
- Workshop (60 min): €85 per group (max. 15 students; larger groups will be split).
- Language: Dutch (English available on request)
- Accessibility: we are happy to accommodate specific needs
- The Cultuurkaart is accepted
Sign up
Sign up via info@noorderlicht.com
