As photojournalists around the world struggle to find funding for their work, members of the international photographic cooperative NOOR continue to produce in-depth visual reports, and promote, exhibit and sell their work around the world. Formed in 2007, NOOR is an independent organization made up of nine award-winning photojournalists and a managing director. Member photographers hail from the United States, Australia, Spain, Denmark, Russia, the Netherlands and Italy. (Photo credit: Kadir van Lohuizen / NOOR 2009.)

The members of NOOR produce both individual visual reportage and collective projects. Their works can be found in large-circulation publications around the world, including Time and Newsweek in the United States, and Internazionale in Italy. In addition, NOOR trains photojournalists and works around the world.

IJNet recently spoke to Amsterdam-based NOOR managing director and co-owner Claudia Hinterseer (pictured at left). Previously, Hinterseer worked for six years at World Press Photo, as coordinator of global educational projects. She has been active in the Dutch photographic community for the past 10 years and has an academic background in visual anthropology.

IJNet: What are the biggest challenges facing modern photojournalists?
CH: Throughout its history, photojournalism has faced many challenges. The challenges facing modern photojournalists coincide with those facing most journalists: It is difficult to get financial support for the production of independent journalistic work. Another challenge worth mentioning is manipulation -- the question of whether a journalistic image is real or only partially real arises more often these days.

IJNet: How can photojournalists face these challenges?
CH: They must find alternative ways to support their projects and be truthful, always. Journalists are forced to be creative in finding ways to realize the work they treasure. Noor, for example, welcomes collaborations with like-minded not for profit or funding organizations and socially responsible commercial companies.

IJNet: What sort of training should aspiring photojournalists seek?
CH: It is important for an aspiring photojournalist to practice a lot, to experiment and to observe the work of other photographers. Photojournalists can learn a lot from studying the work of the masters of photography, nowadays only a mouse-click away.

IJNet: Your organization organizes master classes in photojournalism. What do your students learn through these classes?
CH: NOOR shares personal experiences and knowledge with and amongst the participants of our educational projects. We discuss storytelling, ethics, editing, and address questions raised, like, for example, how to market documentary photography projects, how to go about writing clear project proposals, etc.

Our Documentary Photography classes are high-level classes for experienced photojournalists. A journalist needs to be curious; curiosity is an integral part of a journalist's personality. The origin and motivation of this curiosity is different for every journalist.

We organize motivational master classes that are not technical. We do organize a presentation of Nikon software for photographers, including software for photographers to embed caption information and perform post-production tasks.

IJNet: What part of NOOR are you most proud of?
CH: The photographers, their work and their dedication. They have produced an amazing amount of important stories since we started NOOR two years ago. Amongst us, we are very close. We often refer to ourselves as a family. Even though we are located in different places around the world, we frequently connect all together using Skype.

Moreover, I am proud of the "Consequences by NOOR" group project [on the effects of climate change] and our master classes organized in Lagos, Nigeria, at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, in 2009. We trained 15 photojournalists from nine African countries. The participants were not charged. It was a unique opportunity for them and us. In the same way, we organized a master class in St. Petersburg, Russia, at Fotodepartament, earlier this year, for 15 local photojournalists hailing from nine different New Independent States [countries of the former USSR] and the Baltics. (Photo credit: Yuri Kozyrev / NOOR 2009.)

IJNet: Your Web site is full of dark images. Why?
CH: The word "noor" means "light" in Arabic, and we intend to shine light on the dark places of the world. We give voice to people that do not have a voice, and show situations that might otherwise not see the light. I believe it is extremely positive and important.

IJNet: NOOR was created by nine photojournalists. What unites them?
CH: Respect for one another, respect for the work and dedication. At times the photographers dedicate several years to a long-term project -- to tell the stories we at NOOR believe have to be told.

IJNet: Do you believe your work makes a difference?
CH: We publish in international print media, produce exhibitions, give public presentations, teach master classes, publish books, etc. Our aim is to create awareness about important issues. Yes, I believe our work makes a difference.

IJNet: Does NOOR have any upcoming events or exhibitions?
CH: Our next big event will take place in Istanbul, Turkey. Beginning June 5, for two weeks, we will exhibit our recent work on the humanitarian effects of climate change, "Consequences by NOOR." The work will be shown on one of Istanbul's main streets. This group project was realized by NOOR, with the support of Nikon Europe. Greenpeace International generously supported the outdoors "Consequences by NOOR" exhibition project. In Istanbul, we receive support from the Beyoglu Municipality, the Consulate-General of the Kingdom of The Netherlands and Greenpeace’s Mediterranean office. The local organization is provided by Galata Fotografhanesi Academy of Photography.

For more information, visit http://www.noorimages.com