I recently sent a submission to Panos Pictures to become part of their photographic agency. I have been interested in Panos for some time as their network incorporates documentary photographers who specialise in global social issues. That is primarily what Visited Planet is on about.

I contacted them a year or two ago and was told they were not taking new photographers at the time. But about a week ago I saw they had advertised inviting submissions from photographers who wished to join Panos.

Unfortunately my submission was rushed for a number of reasons:

1. I was still in post-flood recovery mode (recent Queensland floods that affected my house) and had to throw something together overnight
2. I found out about the submission call very late with the deadline imminent, again as a result of not functioning at full capacity after the floods.

I am therefore not entirely sure how successful the submission will be! In any case I thought it might be interesting to share the three photographic essays that I put together for them that are something of a social commentary on issues in India, Indonesia and Myanmar. I will upload all of them over the coming days to the blog.

Putting together a photographic submission is never easy. You have a lot of images but choosing the right ones can be hard. Knowing what Panos is on about was helpful, they are interested in story telling and they want photographers that have a clear message and tell it well.

The three essays feature the hope and dreams of the Burmese leading up to the 2010 elections in Myanmar. Another is the story of Garwhali brides in India and the third about recovery after a terrible earthquake in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

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Feel free to email Jo at [email protected] with your comments/thoughts/photo aspirations. See and learn more at www.visitedplanet.com