VOLUME 1
10
TENTH ANNIVERSARY
PHOTOWALKS
2010 - 2020
Photos from walks held on June 6th and 7th, 2020 Heart of GT Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Vreed-en-Hoop Cuffy Monument A
P R O D U C T I O N
GUYANA PHOTOGRAPHERS: Tenth Anniversary Photowalks, Volume 1 is compiled and edited by Fidal Bassier, Taijrani Rampersaud, and Michael C. Lam
Published by VISIONS Publication date: July 29, 2020
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GUYANA PHOTOGRAPHERS’ FACEBOOK GROUP All images are the copyright of the respective photographers. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from the Publisher or the Photographer(s) whose works are portrayed. No image may be used without the permission of the respective photographer. Cover photograph by Brian Gomes.
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TENTH ANNIVERSARY
PHOTOWALKS VOLUME 1 - June 6th-7th, 2020
To commemorate the tenth Anniversary of the Guyana Photographers’ Facebook Group, we decided to hold a series of Photowalks around Guyana. Photowalks are excellent because enable photographers to meet in person, to share and learn from each other in real time, as well as to take photographs while participating in a group activity. The resulting images usually convey differences in views from photographer to photographer, even though many point their cameras at the same subjects. Furthermore, they serve to demonstrate the abilities of the photographers regardless of the device they use - whether they take pictures with a DSLR camera, a point-and-shoot camera, or a mobile device. This volume of the Tenth Anniversary Photowalks magazine contains self-curated images from the photographers who participated on the first weekend. It must be noted that all participants adhered strictly to national guidelines and safety measures regarding COVID-19. The organizers also helped to have smaller groups undertake the walks by planning simultaneous activities. On this first weekend, four walks were planned and executed. There were two walks on June 6, 2020: Heart of GT Walk led by Darrell Carpenay, and Lusignan – Annandale Seawall Walk led by Michael C. Lam. The following day, June 7, 2020, the remaining two were conducted: Vreed-en-Hoop Walk led by Tana Yussuff, and Cuffy Monument Walk led by Brian Gomes. Following these walks on weekend one, the participants then selected a maximum of ten images from their haul to be published in this magazine. These pictures convey to others the individual experience of each photographer on those walks. Even though they are being shared with the public through this publication, kindly remember that images remain the property of the respective photographers and should not be replicated in any form without their consent. We hope you enjoy these artistic insights into the lives of Guyanese and places in Guyana from these four unique locations!
Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay
The Heart of GT Walk took photographers on a journey through one of Geogetown’s most interesting areas. The walk began at Parliament Building, located at High and Brickdam Streets, in front of the statue of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow. Critchlow is a legendary Guyanese popularly referred to as “father of the modern trade union movement in Guyana.” The group then ventured deeper - into more bustling territory on entering the historic Stabroek Market area, which is easily one of the most enthralling and busiest regions in the city. Stabroek Market has a history which dates back to the 1800s and is possibly the most iconic, man-made structure in Guyana. Within the same vicinity are multiple mini-bus parks, street vendors, and taxi parks to satisfy the needs of the thousands of people who traverse the area daily - all of which made for great interactions and photographs.
As someone who has lived most their life in Georgetown, and has walked this route countless times, the decision to organise and lead the Heart of GT Walk for the Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalk Series was almost instinctive. Moreover, to share the experience with a group of passionate and talented individuals who were able to capture this part of Guyana’s capital city in their own exclusive way was an absolute pleasure.
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
The next leg of the walk took us along the Avenue of
the Republic, where many of Guyana’s most important buildings are located, including the High Court, the Magistrate’s Court, City Hall, and Bank of Guyana. Guyana’s colonial history is very evident along this stretch, with quite a few structures from that era, beautifully crafted canals lined with flamboyant trees, and aesthetically pleasing, though poorly maintained, metal and concrete infrastructure. There’s absolutely no denying that the architects of Georgetown intended for it to be a city of beauty, elegance, and functionality.
Signs of the Era on Croal St., Georgetown © Darrell A. Carpenay
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Parked but not forgotten © Bryan Nobrega
St Andrew’s Kirk, Georgetown © Johnnathan Kanhai
New Building Society © Bryan Nobrega
Social distancing markings in front of the Magistrate’s Court © Johnnathan Kanhai
Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay
The Republic Arch of Guyana which was rehabilitated is a rare gem of Guyana © Bryan Nobrega
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St. George's Cathedral Reflection, Georgetown © Darrell A. Carpenay
City Engineers Building © Bryan Nobrega
The grill work of ACME PHOTO © Kenny Harrinaraine
'Even in these trying times we must not forget to live' - Ave. of the Republic, Georgetown © Johnnathan Kanhai
Drummers Under Demico House, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay
Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay
A Pass Through Berbice Bus Park, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay
Street Art © Bryan Nobrega
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Street jam despite depressing times #Covid-19 © Bryan Nobrega
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
Young boys riding the bicycle wheelie on Regent St Georgetown © Kenny Harrinaraine
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"The Vendor " An old lady selling her fruits and vegetables in the Stabroek area. © Kenny Harrinaraine
From clothing and shoes to sanitizers and face masks #thenewhustle © Bryan Nobrega
Vendor Selling COVID-19 Prevention Supplies Near Stabroek Market, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay
Urban Art On Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay
Bank of Guyana, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay
© Johnnathan Kanhai
Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay
Street bikers showcasing there talents #wheelie © Bryan Nobrega
Hand-In-Hand on the Avenue of the Republic on a cool Saturday afternoon during Covid-19 © Bryan Nobrega
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Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
Steel Arch showcasing Co-operative Republic at the City Hall © Bryan Nobrega
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The Phone Card Lady © Kenny Harrinaraine
© Johnnathan Kanhai
Vendors in the Stabroek Area, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay
(L-R) Darrell Carpenay, Orson Hinds, Johnnathan Kanhai, Kenny Harrinaraine, Brian Nobrega
Heart of GT Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk
Darrell Carpenay
Heart of GT Walk with Darrell Carpenay
Stabroek, Georgetown. © Darrell Carpenay
Street Vendor, Georgetown. © Darrell Carpenay
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Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam
The stretch of seawall selected for this walk is about eight hundred metres long - beginning at the Lusignan pump station, passing the Annandale Koker and Pump Station and heading towards the mangrove area at Anandale (this stretch of Mangroves leads towards Buxton). These areas are not frequented by visitors as much as portions near/closer to Georgetown, but do see more fishermen and their boats, and there is usually some activity from residents of the surrounding area.
As part of the Anniversary Photowalks, I chose this area because of my love for the sea and the seawall, and also because of the diversity of images possible. While I personally like wide landscapes/seascapes, there is much activity surrounding the Koker area with fishermen, their boats, and associated activities. Due to the presence of mangroves, there is also a fair amount of birds, and as with almost any stretch of coast, you just never know what you might see, it changes all the time.
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
At the time of the walk (3pm), the tide was low but beginning to rise, so there was some water near the wall itself in some parts. There were also some
fishermen and other visitors to the seawall giving the photographers a bit of variety to use.
Best Friends. Lugisnan Sea Side © Tana Yussuff
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The View along Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell
A man's best friend is also man's favorite company on a fishing trip. Lugisnan Seaside. © Tana Yussuff
Distant Koker - a view from Anandale Seawall © Michael C. Lam
Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam
The Wait. Lusignan Seawall, ECD. © Savita Balkaran
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Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
After the Crossing - Anandale Seawall © Michael C. Lam
Return of the Bounty © Nikhil Ramkarran
Best Friends- Lusignan Seawall, ECD. © Savita Balkaran
Fisherman. Lugisnan Sea Side © Tana Yussuff
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Afternoon walk - Lusignan Seawall © Michael C. Lam
Leader © Maqsood Mansoor
Fisherman © Maqsood Mansoor
Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam
Loyalty. Lusignan Seawall, ECD © Savita Balkaran
Fisher Men at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell
Daily hustle © Monique Sarius
Outlook Is Clear © Nikhil Ramkarran
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Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
"Boat Parking Lot" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
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Koker and Pump Station - Lusignan-Anandale, ECD © Michael C. Lam
"Koker of the Past" - Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
Home Sweet Home © Maqsood Mansoor
For Sale at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R Campbell
Lonely © Maqsood Mansoor
"Standing Tall" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
Homebound © Monique Sarius
"A Row of Scarlet Ibis" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam
Brown waters matter © Monique Sarius
Disillusioned berb (bird) © Monique Sarius
Protection © Maqsood Mansoor
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Holy Flowers © Monique Sarius
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
Dragon Fly © Maqsood Mansoor
Jhandi Flag at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell
Religious Refuse © Nikhil Ramkarran
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Reused Now Refuse © Nikhil Ramkarran
"The Mast & Rope" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
Green at sea at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell
Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam
"Rising Tide & Jhandi Flag" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
Afternoon at the wall - Lusignan, ECD © Michael C. Lam
Lowtide Layers - Anandale, ECD© Michael C. Lam
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Captain © Maqsood Mansoor
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
"Seamen Offloading" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
Off loading Big Blue at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell
Boats at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell
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Abandoned © Maqsood Mansoor
Big Blue and Koker at Lusignan seawalls© Bianca R. Campbell
"Mangroves of Tomorrow" "Young Guardians of the Coast"© Troy AA Parboo
Fishing. Lusignan Sea Side © Tana Yussuff
Time to Rest © Maqsood Mansoor
Companions © Maqsood Mansoor
Offloading the catch of the day. Lugisnan Sea Side © Tana Yussuff
Moored boats © Monique Sarius
A Hindi God © Monique Sarius
Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam
Flying Ibises © Monique Sarius
Prep to Throw at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell
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Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
Waiting. Lusignan Sea Side © Tana Yussuff
People- Lusignan Seawall, ECD © Savita Balkaran
Boat on its way in at Lusignan seawalls © Bianca R. Campbell
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Jhandi Flag and Reflection - Lusignan © Michael C. lam
Peeling Paint Porn © Nikhil Ramkarran
"The Curve" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
Lusignan - Annandale Seawall Walk with Michael C. Lam
"Days End" at Lusignan Seawalls © Troy AA Parboo
Cabinet of the Captain© Nikhil Ramkarran
(L-R) Michael C. Lam, Bianca R. Campbell, Tory AA Parboo, Monique Sarius, Nikhil Ramkarran, Tana Yussuff, Savita Balkaran, Maqsood Mansoor
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Lusignan-Annandale Seawall Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
Michael C. Lam
Fisherman's Gyaff - Lusignan, East Coast Demerara © Michael C. Lam
The Distant Koker - as seen from Annandale, East Coast Demerara © Michael C. Lam
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Vreed-en-hoop - Plastic City with Tana Yussuff
Plastic City is a settlement just off the Vreed-enHoop Stelling - going north about quarter of a mile from the Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School. The settlement can be found along an old Dutch Jetty nested in the mangrove forest going north towards the mouth of Demerara River. The red mangrove roots trap soil particles and garbage and it is on this that the Plastic City settlers built their homes. There are small wooden homes that line the right side of the Jetty which leads to the Atlantic Ocean. There is no electricity and no potable water in the area. Each home is equipped with barrels and drums to catch rain water for home use. At the time of the walk (10am) some of the settlers were seen doing household chores or relaxing in their homes.
From July to September, the place is busy with people from nearby villages who catch crabs there. During this time, everyone would be cooking crabs in their homes in every way you could imagine one can cook and eat crab. Due to their hard way of life, the people there are a bit “ruff to the touch” and this is one of the communities that one would have to be “thick skinned” to live there. Towards the end of the jetty, one can get a clear view of the Georgetown skyline with some landmarks standing out. These include the Stabroek Market, Guyana Mariott Hotel, and the wharves.
Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff
Due to soil erosion and the distribution of house lots, many residents have moved, but many others
stayed on because some of them could not afford to relocate, and the area is a quick access point to Georgetown where many of them would look for a days work .
Jetty - Plastic City, West Coast Demerara © Sara Henry
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Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
RGB © Fidal Bassier
Aunty picking/cleaning rice for lunch © Tana Yussuff
Early morning chores © Tana Yussuff
Shop © Fidal Bassier
Silvie's Delight © Fidal Bassier
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Parental Guidance - Pot spoon © Fidal Bassier
Village Shop. Plastic City © Tana Yussuff
Market Vendor © Fidal Bassier
Mangrove saplings thrive among garbage © Sara Henry
Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff
Siesta © Fidal Bassier
Shell on the Jetty - Vreed en Hoop, WBD © Savita Balkaran
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Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff
Tree - Trunks © Fidal Bassier
Plastic City © Tana Yussuff
Network of Mangrove Roots © Sara Henry
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Mangrove Forest - Plastic City, WCD © Sara Henry
Home sweet home © Dione Vanderhyden
Mangrove forest © Fidal Bassier
...through my eyes ....through my lens..... what I see ...what they saw... © Dionne Vanderhyden
The End. © Savita Balkaran
Dutch Seawall © Fidal Bassier
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
Mangrove forest roots forcing its was through the vegetation to secure itself into the swamp below © Dione Vanderhyden
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Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff
The swing, lets play, swamp life, hard life, their life © Dionne Vanderhyden
Jetty © Sara Henry
A yard toilet in the mangrove forest ©Kenny Harrinaraine
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Plastic City, Vreed-en-Hoop © Savita Balkaran
Jetty © Sara Henry
Swing © Savita Balkaran
Swamp life... © Dionne Vanderhyden
Mudflats at low tide © Sara Henry
Jetty - Plastic City, WCD © Sara Henry
Walk on the edge ©Dionne Vanderhyden
Atlantic Coastline at Plastic City, WCD © Sara Henry
Deteriorated Jetty © Sara Henry
A little bit of everything © Dionne Vanderhyden
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
Section of the broken jetty ©Kenny Harrinaraine
Jetty Line - Vreed-en-Hoop © Savita Balkaran
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Mud flat © Dione Vanderhyden
Rubbish to riches © Dione Vanderhyden
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
From Below - The Jetty © Savita Balkaran
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Young and aspiring © Dione Vanderhyden
Scarlet Ibises feeding on the mud flat © Kenny Harrinaraine
Early morning chores © Tana Yussuff
(Back) Johnnathan Kanhai, Fidal Bassier, Paul Junior Singh, (Centre) Sarah Henry, Kenny Harrinarine, Dione Vanderhyden, (Front) Savita Balkaran, Tana Yusuf, Latrell Profit (taking the group selfie)
Shop © Fidal Bassier
Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk
Tana Yussuff
Vreed-en-Hoop - Plastic City Walk with Tana Yussuff
Stabroek Stelling seen from Vreed-en-Hoop © Tana Yussuff
A fisherman's view © Tana Yussuff
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Cuffy Monument Walk with Brian Gomes
The 1763 Monument, also known as Cuffy, stands in the Square of the Revolution, D'Urban Park - at the head of Brickdam (street). Although one may not think of it immediately as a location for a photowalk, the area encompasses the Independence Arch, the Office of the President, Castellani House, the Church of the Nazarene with its burial ground and the entire D'Urban Park with the new Jubilee Park for events. It is very spacious and allows for very creative shooting.
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
The monument was built to commemorate the 1763 Rebellion also known as the Great Rebellion. Though not successful in attaining freedom, it was considered as the first well-organized uprising by
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The 1763 monument, popularly called Cuffy.© Brian Gomes
the slaves against their oppressors, as they fought for their freedom. The name “Cuffy” was that of a house-slave who assumed a leading role during that rebellion. The uprising lasted more than a year before the slaves were overcome by their Dutch “masters” . The monument was designed by Mr Phillip Moore, an acclaimed local artist, and unveiled during Guyana’s Tenth Independence Anniversary celebrations. Images resulting from this walk try to capture the monument itself, but also a few others that lend to the nature of the area.
Cuffy - a man that fought for what we are now able to have in this country; freedom © Darnell Douglas
© Brian Gomes
© Brian Gomes
© Brian Gomes
Cuffy Monument Walk with Brian Gomes
© Brian Gomes
(all above) Art work that can be seen around the 1763 monument. © Brian Gomes
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Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
It was as if this horse was beckoning me to take a photo of her © Darnell Douglas
Cuffy the leader of the 1763 Berbice slave rebellion. © Darnell Douglas
Taken at the Square of the revolution © Darnell Douglas
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The majestic Golden Arrowhead © Darnell Douglas
A super-sized Golden Arrowhead, the flag of Guyana, was raised at Jubilee Park on the occasion of our 50th Anniversary of Independence, on May 26th 2016. Since then it has been a notable feature of the landscape in the area. The flag measures sixty-five feet wide by thirty-five feet high and sits atop a flagpole that stands one hundred and eighty feet tall.
Cuffy Monument Walk with Brian Gomes
A veil of falling water. © Brian Gomes
Young men playing a game of football on the Durban Park tarmac. © Brian Gomes
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Cuffy Monument Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk
Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 1
Brian Gomes
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I took the opportunity to capture the 1763 monument's and the Golden Arrowhead's reflection in a pool of water © Brian Gomes
The 1763 monument lit by the bright afternoon sunlight © Brian Gomes
Our Walk Leaders Darrell Carpenay Darrell Carpenay is a part-time amateur photographer. He has lived most of my life in Georgetown, and began taking photography seriously in 2017. For the most part, his photos include street-photography, landscapes, and anything in between that captures his eye. His work was part of the VISIONS 2018 Exhibition.
Michael C. Lam Michael C. Lam is a Guyanese photographer. His influences include the work of Ansel Adams, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and Darren Moore. The majority of his work tends to be high contrast black and white photographs, with a penchant for seascapes as evident in his Oniabo collection. In 2012, he co-exhibited with fellow photographer Nikhil Ramkarran in “Coastal Wanderings” at the National Gallery of Art, Castellani House. He was the Bronze medallist in the 2012 and 2017 Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition, short-listed in 2014. In 2014, he was the Chief judge for “Capture Guyana” photography competition. His work has been exhibited at Aljira, Newark, NJ; the Caribbean Cultural Centre African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), New York; the Queens Central Library, New York; the Organisation of American States’ Twenty Fourth Inter-American Congress of Ministers & High-Level Authorities of Tourism (2018), Guyana Marriott Hotel. In 2016, he exhibited in VISIONS Exhibition 2016 and later helped to organise subsequent installments of the said exhibition.
Tana Yussuff Tana Yussuff is an environmentalist by profession and has been lucky to travel to many remote parts of Guyana where her passion for photography developed. During her expeditions into the interior, she would use her camera phone to capture all of nature’s beauty. Her photographic eye has since grown to encompass Guyanese culture and environment while still taking pictures of the nature. She believes that we take pictures to record our personal view of the world. Tana has been an active member of Guyana Photographers’ Facebook Group for about one year now.
Brian Gomes is a Guyanese photographer. For many years, photography had been a hobby/side hustle for Brian. However, after losing his job in 2017, he made a decision to turn photography into his career, focusing on wedding photography/video. Over the years, he has ventured into many different genres of photography but is widely known for his work with nude art photography and the popular Made in Guyana nude calendar. Brian's work has been exhibited in the Organisation of American States (OAS) Indigenous Perspectives, twice in the Guyana Visual Arts Competition & Exhibition, Capture Guyana Photography Competition, and Visions Exhibition.
Walk Leaders Biographies
Brian Gomes
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10 TENTH ANNIVERSARY
PHOTOWALKS VOLUME 1 - June 6th-7th, 2020
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