MORE than 30 young Cambodian photographers have been trained this year at classes run by Studio Images, which was launched by the French Cultural Centre (CCF) and the photography agency Melon Rouge in 2008.

Most young photographers presenting solo and group exhibitions in this year’s Photo Phnom Penh improved their techniques thanks to the free lessons throughout the year.

Last year, four new artists made their debut at the photo festival, and their success spurred more than 30 students to take up classes this year, organisers said.

The students were grouped according to their levels of proficiency. Alexandre Burgeat director of Melon Rouge agency gave advanced lessons, Mak Remissa tutored the beginners, while The Phnom Penh Post photographers Sovan Philong and Chan Vitharin taught the remaining students at the Royal University of Fine Arts.

“We are proud of this growing interest in photography,” explained Magali Poivert, who coordinates the event at the CCF. “It also shows that we are going in the right direction with this festival and that it is reaching

more people than we could have imagined,” she added.

A collective exhibition by Studio Images will also be displayed at Java Café and Gallery to promote the classes.