Posting More Photos On The Blog

So, only recently I figured out that I could post photos on this blog, so the idea from now on is to include photos while blogging for a few reasons - to publish more of my photos, to have more incentive to blog, and to review my own work.

This is a photo-website after all, so it makes sense to include photos in my blog entries. A lot of these will be entries that have never been released before, although they might have been taken a while back.

Many times, I find, while reviewing old photos that I’ve taken years ago, I realize how glad I was that I took them, and how good they make me feel, and how good I think they are. Some of them I was hesitant about posting, because I honestly didn’t think they were good enough. Now, I just think we should post whatever we feel. Photography is about learning, not being too harsh or critical about your own work.

I’m looking forward to this exercise.

Lilies taken at Berbice Sugar Estate.

Inspiration in Photography

I’ve had my fair share of inspiration to get out and practice photography from the masters - Salgado, Bresson, Leiter, Parks, Eugene Smith, McCurry, among others. I’ve been inspired by photographers on instagram, movie directors, local photographers right here in Guyana - Kwesi Isles, Michael Lam, Fidal Bassier, Avinash Richards, Meshach Pierre, and photographers I’ve met from other countries like my friends Mateusz Wrazildo and Maciej Moskwa who are from Poland.

What I’ve found is that they focus on various subjects which I find quite fascinating, and it could be me, but I think there’s a solitary nature within each photographer’s art. Photography, like any art, reflects what we harbor in the deepest parts of our souls. Constant themes reflect our characteristics and personality.

I am, by nature, someone who loves to spend time by myself. I enjoy interactions at times, but for the most part, in any artistic endeavor, and in this case, photography - I find that my most authentic and memorable photos are the ones I spend time on by myself. It’s me and the subject - whatever that may be - a vast landscape, or some form of isolated scene. And, here I am, losing track of the subject of this blog post: inspiration.

How can I be inspired again, after quite a bit of an ‘off-period’… I’m not sure what went on over the past year, but I’ve felt less and less passion to go out and make photos, and I’m really can’t pinpoint why. But I’m looking to be inspired again - I’m looking to do something new, and different, and meaningful - to me.

I believe I just need to go out and shoot, or perhaps revisit some old photos of my own. Interesting how we neglect ourselves. I’ve mentioned so many others who inspire me to become a better photographer, and I forgot to mention myself. Perhaps I’ll take some of this time off to run through and post some of my old phots that never made it into the public domain. Maybe this break is good time to look back at what I’ve done and take time to appreciate the work that I’ve neglected to process, or edit, or post.

I reckon that somewhere in between I’ll find the inspiration I need to get back on track, and continue the art the best way I know.

Old Banks DIH Benches on the Seawall, Georgetown, Guyana.

Nature and Concrete

It can seem like a bit of contrast to compare nature to that which is man made (artificial, as it’s called), but the fact is that we are nature, because we are an occurrence of nature - produced by the earth and absorbed by the earth when we’re dead.

I’ve found peace with documenting nature as it is, with people and all, so, perhaps it can be said that my appreciation of nature has expanded and evolved to something even more exciting. Although I still find the image of the landscape before man enters enthralling, the incorporation of the human element is something to be appreciated and loved - and I’ve learned to love it.

I can’t say that I’ve done any particularly exciting bit of photography for the year, yet. Usually I try to get out of town to do something extraordinary at the beginning of the year so that I start the year ‘right’, but not this time - at least not yet. Perhaps I’ll get a jolt to do it soon and break the cycle of being in Georgetown for the past two months.

Photography has been on my list of things to get back on top of for the beginning of this year, and I’ve done some photography, but a bit more selective about what I capture, and post. Recently, I took a ride out to the Kingston Seawall, and captured a few images along the way. One particularly beautiful one was captured on Main Street Avenue - I stopped to grab a shot of some people walking only to realize that a graduate was having her photoshoot with none other than a buddy of mine - Jonathan Khanai. Stopped and chatted with him for a bit but then I saw another opportunity to shoot the scene in the avenue with two people walking hand in hand. It was even better than the one I had intended to shoot initially, and it came out great.

Interesting how these things happen - I was looking for one thing, missed the opportunity I thought I had first, and then got an even better one in return.

What is all this about - absolutely nothing, and everything. I just felt like sharing that experience. The afternoon turned out beautifully at the Kingston Beach, and I captured a photo that I’m quite happy with. Maybe I’ll print it and frame it.

Main Street Avenue, Georgetown, Guyana

No Time To Waste

One of the most important things I took away from 2021, was that time is more fleeting than we realize.

There is truly no time to waste. Time should be well spent, and I’ve used a lot of time, and wasted a lot of time being indecisive, worrisome, and idle. Time that could have been spent more wisely doing things that will help me reach my goals - one being to practice more photography and upload more photos to this website. I’ve ignored that for almost a year - not that I was totally unoccupied, but I simply did not prioritize photography and the result is stagnancy. Part of that is the daunting task of going through old photos, editing them, and then uploading them in order. The good thing is, that once you do it - it’s basically done. No need to repeat - I simply need to be consistent and avoid procrastination.

I also spend a lot of time dwelling over whether the edit was done perfectly - perfectionism will lead me straight to stagnation. If an image is good - chances are it needs little editing. So, less editing and deliberating over whether an image is worth posting or not, and more doing.

As an amateur photographer, this is supposed to be fun, not a task - and I’ve made it into a task. It’s time for photography to be fun again. It’s time to make mistakes, learn, grow and be free spirited with the hobbies I love. It’s time to get going and get growing.

End of 2021

I’ll just say it first - this year hasn’t been a year of photography for me. My focus was mostly elsewhere and I’ve found out how easy it is to lose an entire year of something you love when you don’t have it as a priority.

That is not to say that I’ve ignored it completely - contrarily, I had my camera with me a lot of the time, especially on my outdoor trips. Nature is still my first love, but I’ve tried to incorporate the human element as much as possible now. I particularly have a fascination of how indigenous folks live in their environment. To experience this relationship is for the most part new and indeed very intriguing, and there is much to learn.

Humans have never really captured my attention - I guess, because I’m just around others so much that it becomes mundane. Ventures out of town treat me to something new and exciting, and that’s where I believe I capture my best images. A greater challenge is actually Street Photography in the urban regions of Guyana.

Street Photography hasn’t been on top of my list of stuff to do this year, but I did manager to capture a few images. Nothing spectacular, but since the practice was mostly just to keep it’s presence in my life, the act fulfilled its purpose.

Another thing to note is that I haven’t updated this website with a single new photo for the entire year. That definitely has to change, and I need to stop talking and writing and just do it.

Silence in Photography

It occurred to me last night to do a series on silence - that is, silent spaces. Places where I experience the most stillness.

This year has not been a year of too many photos. I’ve spent more time focusing on other things, and had I used that time to pursue photography further, who knows what I would have achieved. I chose to focus my energy and major resources on other things in my life.

We choose the things we excel at - some people choose to write, or paint, or invent. Some focus their time on their family, friends, social life. We all have our priorities, and those priorities change during the course of our lives - at least for many of us.

There is something about photography that is more than just capturing images for me. Photography has managed to capture me instead. I still constantly think about taking photos in the streets, but I can safely say that the focus I had last year has not been present this year - especially in street photography.

I’ve also chosen to be more picky about what I shoot. I still walk with the GRIII many times and can safely confirm it is an excellent companion - a companion I plan on utilizing a few more times this year during the Christmas Season. Looking forward to easing my mind through some street photography through the busy streets of Georgetown in the coming days.

Georgetown Beach on a Rainy Day.

Beauty in Poignancy

Some of my favorite images are those which evoke a sense of sadness and regret - the images that live in your mind because they’ve touched something deep within - sometimes a memory, sometimes something more.

This thought just came to my mind recently and somehow I can't seem to articulate it here.

It had something to do with writing about the importance of poignant images. It is as important to feel sad and be reflective as it is to be jovial and carefree.

In photography, I believe that your images reflect the way you feel, because what you feel is what you will exude, whether it be in attitude, or art. I go over my own images after a while and see my changes in mood over time. Photography may be more important than I yet know - I’ve only recently discovered that it’s not only a journal of what’s going on around me, but also what’s going on inside me.

This may be one of the best reasons for being authentic with photography - that is to say - photograph what you want, not what an audience wants. Edit how you want, not how your audience wants. Record and create with passion for yourself. The result will be appreciated by those who need it most.

Photography and Appreciation

Wrote the headline for this topic I wanted to touch on about a week ago, I think.

Basically it was during my thoughts about what photography has done for me - how have I changed through the practice of photography.

Well, as the title might hint, I’ve learned to have more appreciation for my surroundings and occurrences around me. Although I haven’t been practicing as much as I have been last year, the love is still there, and I do take my camera out often - although I am a bit more prudent about what I shoot at now.

Sometimes I feel like photographing something is like chasing a ghost - trying to preserve something that is lost, and I’m merely capturing the fragment of a shadow of that thing. That thought pushes me to think more carefully about composition and my post editing.

Interestingly, I’ve found that looking back at some of my unposted images from last year, there is some more appreciation for them now. They seem to have aged well with time, and I’m glad I decided to take them, and keep them.

There have been some images that I’m quite pleased with producing this year - mostly nature and landscape shots, but I really want to get back into doing some more street. I miss the daring walks I took last year.

A Long Break

You see, this is why you have to keep scheduling stuff - time passes and before you know it, months have gone buy and nothing was written on this blog.

My beloved Ricoh GRII fell ill late last year and I’ve been off of street photography because of that. So, I finally decided to purchase the GRIII although I forgot it carried a hefty price. Review - the camera is beautiful and generally does everything the GRII did, but better.

So I’m back taking some more photos, but found that I just don’t have the passion for taking photos like I did last year, and am quite sure that’s because I’m busy focusing on other things going on in my life at the moment. Love for photography is still there though.

If all goes according to planned, this year should be great for my photography in terms of documenting remote regions in Guyana. Looking forward to getting back into landscapes and nature photography.

Fragments of Fragments

Written 27th August, 2020.

How much are our lives really worth when you think of it. Are our lives just part of a random assembly of infinite possibilities - some which made no sense, and some which did. In the universe, we have to contemplate that if change never stops, then it is infinite. Meaning that anything is indeed possible, no matter how long it takes. So, the machine has engineered our existence.

Forever a god and a slave at the same time. Conscious and unconscious. Trudging away - the calculations required to perform any act of bodily function - natural, or free willed must be immense. Every single decision preparing you for a dive into whole new world. The future is an ocean through which we can barely see its contents.

‘What does that have to do with photography?’ you might ask. Well, I was actually thinking of the fragments of time captured in visual format, and wondered why we love it so much. Why people enjoy still images. And some are valued for different purposes.

Why do I take photographs? I enjoy doing artistic stuff - I believe that I was always artistically inclined, but never had that part of me nurtured as a youth. This, for me, is a good outlet in many ways, but creating something visually beautiful that can be appreciated profoundly might be the best reason I can think of.

Random thoughts in August.

On Work and Play

Just a few updates since last time:

1. The Seawall Documentary Project has been on hold for quite a few weeks due to other photographic projects that took priority. I figure Michael C. Lam will consider resuming once he finishes with the publication of the three volumes of Guyana Photographers 10th Anniversary Photowalks. The Seawall Documentary Project seeks to document the sea defenses all across Guyana. It will take some time, but has been going well so far. Naturally, this is a good learning experience for me as a photographer and as someone who likes to explore and learn more about Guyana. COVID-19 restrictions have become less constraining recently, so I figure once the project resumes, there will be more flexibility in scheduling the walks, and certainly better light to shoot in, since the curfew has gone past the initial 6pm.

2. Recently, Guyana Photographers celebrated its 10th Anniversary as a group. Three weekend photowalks were organized and executed by Michael C. Lam, Brian Gomes, Tana Yussuf, and myself. Fidal Bassier lead one walk on the final weekend to Bourda Market, and Dione Vanderhyden lead one to Linden. I would go through all the walks I lead in detail, but I feel the time has passed for that, and I don’t want to make this post too lengthy. Leading the walks was simple and this was due to a very cooperative group who were already quite versed in photowalks and have their own talents in photography. Each was carried out successfully, and all three volumes are almost done, and ready to print. The work put in by Fidal Bassier, Taij Reshi, and Michael Lam is truly extraordinary. I’m truly happy to have played a part in helping this project to be a success - we all played a part, both photographers and organizers, and I feel like Guyana has just took a giant leap in the Photography arena. I’m interested to see how this evolves.

3. Recently, I’ve been spending more time at the Seawall Bandstand area and beach. This is where I first met Dwayne Hackett, and a whole project evolved from that. Dwayne met Carl Melville who started cleaning up the beach and seawall area by the Bandstand all on his own. Carl doesn’t have a job and is currently homeless, but has used his initiative to start something truly special, and we’ve decided to help him out. The beach has basically been transformed in the space of two weeks, and Dwayne actually created a Facebook page today (Seawalls and Beyond) to help raise awareness and get the Seawall some love and attention. I think this is a good medium to get some photos of the seawall out to help with a shift he way the seawalls and beaches are treated. Let’s see how that goes.

4. Last but not least, I had some thoughts about photography and how serious I should actually take it. On one hand, I want it to be playful and enjoyable, and on the other, I want it to be something meaningful and impactful. I believe the best work actually comes out of play and when we don’t try too hard to force it. Photography should be a flow, not a rigid structured act where you focus so hard on taking photos that it becomes a chore, or tires you out. I want to make sure my photography never heads in that direction. I to always work the way I want to work, and enjoy the process, and if that can help the world be a better place in the process, then that would make it that much more enjoyable.

Let me leave off here before I tire myself out. Just wanted to leave this little update before too much time passes.

A Few Updates and Using Colour

It’s been a while.

Just a few major things in my photographic world - 1. During the quarantine / lockdown period of mostly April and May of this year, a group of us Guyanese photographers embarked on a project to document the sea defense of the coastland, and any other worthy subjects along the way. The group is comprised of Micahel C. Lam, Brian Gomes, Fidal Bassier, and myself.

It is not only a lesson in the effort and patience of embarking on a project like this, but challenges you to explore areas you probably never would otherwise.So far, it has been going well, except for a bit of a break since the Guyana Photographers Facebook Group 10th Anniversary Photowalks started.

So far, for the Anniversary Photowalks, we’ve finished two of three total weekend walks, each walk having a different leader who organizes and makes the walk happen. So far, I’ve been able to lead two walks, with the third being this Saturday at 3:00pm - the Avenue Walk, which will take us through parts of the avenues that run along Thomas St., Camp St., Waterloo St., Carmichael St. and Main St.. Looking forward to that.

As leaders, we can also attend other walks once their scheduled times don’t conflict. I’ve attended one of Michael Lam’s - the Mon Repos Market Walk, Brian Gomes’ s - the Stabroek Tower Walk, and Tana Yussuf’s Canal #1 Walk. Each was quite an experience, and a first for me in each situation, so this wasn’t only a plus for capturing photos, but also as a life experience in itself.

The first weekend’s walk I lead was the Heart of GT Walk, and that one was quite amazing. My group got some impressive shots and I’m very satisfied with how it went overall Michael Lam gave me a preview of what the virtual book will look like, and I’m already impressed with the layout, and the photos featured. The writeup for the introduction was quite a challenge, but got a basic one done without, I think, being too verbose.

The second walk I lead was the Seaside Walk (area between the Seawall Bandstand and Kingston Jetty. That was also quite a special experience, and yielded good results photographically.

Something I’m struggling a bit with is finding a color edit I can stick with. I’m considering editing more of my street shots in color now for a change to see where that takes me. There are a few I made already for some of the photwalks and I’m satisfied with them, so far. I feel like black and white is a a pleasurable way of editing and printing, but I feel the need to explore.

That’s a bit of what I needed to say, for now (before this blog gets cobwebs)

Our Best Effort

As someone who practices photography, I believe we owe it to ourselves to practice wisely, to practice with meaning, with desire, with passion. Otherwise, why do it? Consider the resources required for you to publish a photo - you have to buy the camera, you need to spend countless hours reading and watching documentaries, interviews, and tutorials. You have to put in the time and energy to actually go about taking the photos, then you have to publish them or print them. Our publications are not owed an audience or likes on instagram. They are only owed our best effort, and nothing else.
I can’t say that I’ve been practicing this fully, but it’s something I have to constantly keep in mind - to produce work that is I truly believe is worthy of publication, even if it’s just a simple post on social media.

Some may see this as some self-righteous desire. It is nothing of the sort.

To put your best effort into something you truly enjoy is what will yield the best results is a responsibility your owe to yourself.

'Man's Search For Meaning'

A few days ago, I was speaking to a friend who confessed to me their insecurity of beginning the journey to becoming a photographer, and that sent me down memory lane to when I had first started and barely knew anything about using a camera, and photography in general.

The source of the insecurity and frustration came from comparing her photos with others who have been practicing for years, and what I believe is a common expectation that photography is ‘easy’. So what was my response - aside from advice on learning to use the camera itself, I explained that this is not a race for success. It takes a lot of time and effort to become better, and that is a journey you need to be dedicated to. To evolve we need to be our own critic, to know that there’s always room for improvement, and to understand that this is a journey and not a destination.

Perhaps, goals are simply stepping stones to the next great pursuit in life, but let’s talk about photography. As I was conversing with her, a part of my mind wandered back to something I had read, or heard recently, but I couldn’t remember who had said it. Tonight, reading preface to the 1992 edition of Victor Frankl’s Man’s Search For Meaning, I rediscovered it in one of the passages which goes like this:

“And so it is both strange and remarkable to me that—among some dozens of books I have authored—precisely this one, which I had intended to be published anonymously so that it could never build up any reputation on the part of the author, did become a success. Again and again I therefore admonish my students both in Europe and America: “Don’t aim at success—the more you at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the by-product of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it.” -

Victor E. Frankl | Vienna, 1992

That idea truly resonated with me, and I’m sure it would with many people. I’m not sure I even believe in the term success—what is it? Is it when society recognizes your contributions? Or when you can sell your work for large sums of money? Or when it is loved by many people?

I think not.

I believe that photography becomes truly fulfilling when we find meaning in the practice. When we move beyond just creating, to creating something truly meaningful to us - not for recognition, or fame, or ‘success’, but because we feel the need to.

Love and Photography

Love - pour it in and see what blossoms.

I believe that photography, like any other art, reflects the best in us when approached with love of the art, and a deep connection to the subject. Love encourages us to be at our best, and produce our best. It allows us to see through our best lens, and strive to deliver it - sometimes as catharsis, or perhaps to share something we believe others can benefit from.

And the love of the act is its own reward. It’s not the result, but the process that is beautiful and grants us great fulfillment.

Shooting Close to Home

Last Sunday I took a ride out to get some fresh air after a relatively stressful week following the Guyana Elections 2020. I needed some air and went out on my bicycle with the Ricoh GR ii. The day was relatively quiet, but I ended up capturing quite a few images I’m happy with. The more I rode, the more scenes I saw and stopped to shoot, and even ended up speaking with a Rastafarian who stopped me to ask about my photography. Ended up asking if he would be willing to be photographed, and he agreed (a bit hesitantly at first), but I believe he sensed that I meant no harm. I got a good candid shot of him, and moved off. There some other shots I took on the way home, and spoke to another guy playing cricket with a spliff in his mouth.

It’s quite amazing how a simple ride out on Sunday turned out to be a good day for photography. I think when we appreciate the ordinary, simple things can become quite extraordinary, and become great opportunities for street shots. I would say that I’ve decided to make the aim of my street photography the documenting of Guyanese society as I see it. I see no issue with being prolific - there’s so much to capture that I wouldn’t be doing myself any favors by waiting for some ‘perfect’ shot in any given situation. I move and I shoot. Occasionally I’ll wait for a particular shot, but it’s not something I dedicate much time to - there’s too much going on to be waiting for one single shot for too long in street photography (at least this is how I feel at the moment). However, I do feel that I need to focus more on the way I compose my shots to maximize the impact I’m looking to achieve.

One thing I need to work on is being more bold in approaching strangers to take their shot if I discover a scene that might yield worthwhile results. That, I’m sure, will come with time - all I need to do is keep practicing.

On Producing Your Best Work

There’s work, there’s good work, and there’s your best work. I believe the idea of always putting your best into something you love is hard to argue with. When it comes to anything you love doing, most times we put more effort in than we would normal tasks - I believe that’s just the way it goes. Time is not much of an issue when doing something you love; some people forget to eat, and sleep, and that says a lot. The results are shown in the work they produce.

Photography is different from the other arts in that you actually have to go looking for subjects. You cannot create something through your own imagination and record it in the camera (obviously), but you do need to search for what you want - whether it’s an artistic venture, or to document something. I’ll expound on my interests in photography (landscapes/nature, and street photography): both require you to travel and immerse yourself in the environment to get good results. There is a whole process I go through before a shoot that I really want to get great results from, and it starts with visualisation (even if I’ve never been to the location before); I visualise what I want in different scenarios so as to have a goal in mind. The second thing I do is review the photos of great photographers whose work I enjoy and find meaning in, and store away techniques in composition and style. Thirdly, I look back at photos I’ve captured, picking apart what I could do better.

After that comes the effort.

As an amateur photographer, I’m continuously learning, and I believe you learn the most about photography by actual practice, by making mistakes, and by experiencing new scenarios that force you to adapt, or highlight where you can become better. You need to be consistent in that practice, like any exercise, or any skill, to maintain and improve your standards.

Reflection on 2019

2019 has been a year of immense learning for me - in photography, and in life.

I’ve taken quite a number of photos I’m very satisfied with - photos I never thought I’d capture, in places I only once dreamed of visiting. I’ve experimented, tried new techniques, dived into street photography, and fell in love with the art and practice.

I’ll touch on street photography, then on my nature and landscape shots in another post. Street photography has changed the way I see things in many ways, and has made me appreciate more the moments that are so fleeting, that we’d probably never reflect on them had it not been captured on camera. Do the photos tell a story? I think not, but it does allow you to create your own story, and for me, more importantly, is something to reflect upon.

I’ve realized that photography is something that you can never stop learning. There is no pinnacle, and this is perhaps true of all the arts. It’s not just the practice, but the entire experience. To manage your experiences with the camera, and not allow it to interrupt the moments that are not meant to be captured. I don’t want photography to devour my life, or become my life, but be part of it and be used to enhance it, and the rest fall where it may.

What should I aim for this year… Maybe to do something more intimate, personal, and meaningful with the practice. To reveal more of what is within me, and the way I truly see the world.

Authenticity in Photography

This may fall under the idea of being original, but I would say it also includes being true to yourself and that, to me, means pouring some feeling into what you want to portray in your work. Not doing the work for the sake of praise, or accolades, but for the love of producing something that can be of service - now, and/or for generations to come.

Developing your own style is one thing, but style without meaning is nothing. Style without feeling may be just as bad as an empty imitation. Pretentiousness and ego need no place in street photography - the work is what is important, not the photographer. It is the work which as to last through the ages, not the photographer, not awards, or recognition.

I look at other photographers work to find what I like, what I can improve on in my own work - the idea is not to imitate, but incorporate elements which I believe can enhance my photos, and to enhance my own strategy and philosophy about photography, especially street photography.

Again, what is street photography? I’ve written about this before but as I keep practicing, I believe the definition keeps becoming more and more complex. As I look at the photos I’ve taken over the past year, I realise that many of them, for me, become more meaningful as time passes. I look back and I say to myself: I’m glad I took that - I’m glad I went out that day. Many of the images I’ve taken are sources of deep introspection for me, and although many are merely fractions of fleeting moments, my value for them continues to grow over time. Each moment becoming part of a gallery of a time and place that can be considered an anomaly: interesting, beautiful, chaotic, sublime.

The year is closing, and I feel like there’s much work still left to be done for the few weeks left. i’ll be out and about, pushing my mind to see more, to preserve the exciting, and banal - all extraordinary in this dear land of mine.

The Limits of My Dreams

I have dreams.

I fantasise about things I want to do, things I want to experience. One of the things that needs to be done to make those dreams a reality is breaking away from the comforts of the mundane - the day to day drudgery that kills the human spirit. What lies in ultimate comfort is ultimate death; we might as well not exist if the cocoon we live in is air tight.

How does this relate to photography and exploration… Well, the truth is that I find no real joy in the work I do for financial gain. Two things I’ve grown to enjoy are photography and exploration, particularly in Guyana. For me, it’s like exploring your own soul and capturing memories while doing so - a reminder of what I’m capable of, and that dreams are not as far fetched as they seem.