‘Documenting People’ / ‘Art in Weddings’

Capturing the essence of a wedding and the essence of what it is to be Guyanese was the theme of a talk by two local photographers hosted by  Moray House Trust on Tuesday evening.

Fidal Bassier is not a typical wedding photographer. He explained that he is always looking for the unusual, off guard moment: a bride having her make up done, or waiting to get out of a car. Often there are no people in the picture – just the rings on a prayer book or an exquisite bouquet.

Nikhil Ramkarran presented photographs focused on the streets and markets of downtown Georgetown and the people doing business there: a market vendor, a bus driver, a tout, or a man simply standing by a wall, umbrella in hand.

Ramkarran said he was attempting to capture not only the individuality of the people but also their essential “Guyanese-ness”.

A lively discussion ensued after the slide shows with some technical questions about cameras and the ethics of photo-shopping. Ramkarran  mentioned that this year he has taken many photographs with his phone camera. There was also a conversation on subject matter in the context of class and the appropriate approach to strangers who may not always feel comfortable being in front of the lens.