Activity: Photography slideshows
Host: Moray House Trust
Date: Thursday 19th March 2015
Snapshot – A look at the modern photography scene in Guyana
Michael C. Lam.
The modern photography scene in Guyana is young. But at the forefront are some photographers who have shown that they have something to say, and say it well through their work. Among them is Michael C. Lam, Bronze medal winner at the 2012 GVACE, short-listed in the 2014 GVACE, Chief Judge at the 2014 Capture Guyana Photography Competition and someone very involved in the modern photography scene in Guyana. Photography is not his profession, but his passion. While his day job keeps him busy, Lam still finds time to enjoy and share that passion to encourage others who share similar interests with photography; the strive to make it art.. make it beautiful… make it a storytelling tool.
In his presentation Snapshot – A look at the modern photography scene in Guyana, Lam examined photography within this nation; what is it, who it involves and what the future holds for the medium. He did not dwell upon the works of a single photographer, but rather upon various images culled from the photographic community within Guyana. The slides exhibited the diverse backgrounds and approaches of the photographers, their types of photography and opened the idea of acceptance to the various forms and treatments of the medium.
Michael’s presentation can be viewed: https://vimeo.com/123997131
Avinash Richard – ‘Dissection: A body of work’
Avinash Richard is a medical doctor by profession and a street photographer by passion. After having initially dabbled in various genres of the art, Richard developed a passion for street photography and presently, he aspires to explore social documentary at a more profound level. Due to the nature of his career, Richard would often find it challenging to practice photography and because of this he began photographing the street during his daily commute. His profession also has a profound influence on his preferred photographic genre, in which he explores a somewhat introverted analysis of human nature.
With already a previous professional engagement with Getty Images, Richard quietly pursues his dream to someday work with or contribute to other photographic organisations such as National Geographic and Magnum association.
This is a brief extract from Avinash’s presentation:
I like to consider myself a ‘people person’, though however, not in the conventional talkative sense.From childhood days to present, I’ve always been of a quiet disposition, which I’ve noticed helps me to be a bit more observant than usual. Due to this, I sometimes tend to see things that others might not.
My journey into photography, like that of many others, began as a casual hobby ( during my student days in Cuba where I started with a film camera in the year 2000). I would often use it to take photos of my friends, of places and travelling experiences, etc. As the years passed, my level of activity in photography waxed and waned due to career responsibilities but during the past five years, it has become rekindled gradually.Due to the nature of my work and the limited time, I accidentally stumbled onto the genre of Street Photography which I began experimenting with during my lunch breaks. I would walk from work to get lunch, taking photos along the way then do the same when returning. This became an almost everyday practice, ritual and stress reliever.However as time went by and I delved a bit deeper into street photography, I realised that I was left desirous of a stronger component of social commentary and Social Documentary. The cleverly juxtaposed geometrically aesthetic street compositions no longer inspired me as much. What was of greater interest to me was communicating and conveying a more meaningful message to my viewers and also to myself. Therefore I am gradually striving to observe more contemporary social issues and express this content through photography.I am of the strong belief that we are all capable and have the potential to be visual ambassadors of our society. With our present development of technology and its accessibility, it does not matter what kind of equipment is used, eg. it can be a cell phone, tablet etc and would still suffice.
Social documentary photography is of great relevance in our diaspora. Of great interest are the political, cultural, economic and health related issues, (especially mental health), to name a few. An individual can express his / her unique vision in as subtle or as direct a manner as they so choose in accordance with their personal artistic prerogative.
The majority of my photography is intimately influenced by my professional (medical) experiences on a daily basis. Of special interest are certain dilemmas that strike a note with me, particularly domestic abuse, mental health issues, etc.”
Avinash’s presentation can be found at https://vimeo.com/123155230
Please note that viewers may find some images disturbing.
We apologise for the sound quality.