- PHOTO BY HOWARD MOO YOUNG
Scotts Cove, Westmoreland.
Howard Moo Young, Contributor
LOOKING TO improve your photography in 2006? Well, if last year was anything to judge our standards by, this year we should look forward to some exciting images from our photographers, both amateurs and professionals.
This beautiful island we call home offers limitless opportunities to anyone who can learn to see.
From the number of cameras that I've seen over the recent holidays, in fact, over the past year, one can only surmise that more photographs have been taken last year than any period before that. This has been made much more easier with the use of the digital camera and cellphone. Do you realise the endless possibilities, when it comes to capturing images wherever you are? I even saw photographers with Polaroid cameras having a field day in Sovereign Shopping Centre as patrons lined up to get their pictures taken.
HIGH STANDARD
The 2005 JCDC Festival Photography Competition was well supported by our photographers as it continued to set a high standard, with exceptional entries in all classes and many categories.
Many gold, silver and bronze awards were awarded by the judges. As a result, the exhibition shared the same venue and much of the same audience with fine arts, and even travelled to Montego Bay for a special showing of the winning images that were welcomed by all.
The UWI Photography Club held their annual exhibition at the Creative Arts Centre, showing their usual excellent images of black and white photographs. These photographers continue to set a consistently high standard with the diverse styles of its members, while capturing a wide variety of subjects using different techniques, composition and lighting.
CHALLENGES
The Photography Club of Jamaica regrouped to face the challenges of shooting colour transparences (slides) vs digital images. Meetings were reduced to one per month as members sought to present their images in digital format with the use of a digital projector. I still prefer viewing my colour slides on a 35mm Kodak projector, but guess what? Photo Express has finally decided to close down their slide-processing lab. Please, Kodak Express! I hope that we can look forward, very soon, to your promise to those photographers who still appreciate great images on colour transparencies.
The Press Association of Jamaica continues to reward its hard-working photographers who continue to risk violence and bodily harm to capture award-winning images that grace the front pages of our daily newspapers. Most of these photos are not planned, but must be anticipated with cameras drawn and ready, it's almost like being in the wrong place at the right time. I know some of my friends who wouldn't be caught in situations like these for any amount of money. It takes a special kind of individual to do this job.
Not to be left out is the Just Black & White Photo Club which continues to hold regular workshops with its members, trying to improve the complete process from film to finished print. These photographers are quite serious in preserving the fine art of black and white photography. Some of their recent work, along with photographs by Donette Zacca and Howard Moo Young were showcased in 'Celebrating Jamaica,' a major exhibition of art and photography by leading artists and photographers held at Devon House over the holiday season.
EXQUISITE PHOTOGRAPHS
Franz Marzouca, Jeremy Francis, and Cecil Ward displayed some exquisite photographs during the Christmas exhibition at Gallery 128.
I understand that there are plans to establish a national photography gallery, which I think would be welcome at this time. Jamaica has produced some excellent photographers who have contributed to capturing important images as part of our heritage. I can remember seeing pictures of Myrtle Bank Hotel on Harbour Street, and Titchfield Hotel in Port Antonio in their heyday. I can still see Errol Flynn's yacht anchored by the wharf, with Navy Island in the background, when, as a young boy, my father and I arrived in Port Antonio by train from Kingston to visit my grandmother.
Images of male and female slaves being paraded for sale on display at the Institute of Jamaica, reminded me of yearlings on show for auction at Knutsford Park in New Kingston. We can revisit our past and understand where we are coming from. Such a collection of photographs would play an important role in revealing our heritage and preserving our history. I'm sure that today's photographers would be encouraged to take more pictures of everyday life so that years from now, future generations can look back and appreciate the past.
SKILLS
I hear through the grapevine that standards are being put in place to introduce a Photography & Graphic Design Academy as part of HEART Trust/NTA. This would present many opportunities for those would like to develop their skills in both these disciplines. Many more high school students in the county of Middlesex can now look forward to learning photography, and getting more involved in their communities with the help of the Jamaica National Building Society Foundation.
Twenty-eight schools received a 35mm camera kit each as part of the ongoing JNBS Foundation's 'Youth Zoom' Programme on February 14, 2006, at a photography workshop held at Manchester High School in Mandeville. An essay and photo competition among the participating high schools encouraged the students to further their skills in photojournalism with the help of teachers as their guides. This brings the total number of cameras presented so far to 61, with more schools to benefit in the future.
NEW ART SECTION
I was privileged to get a quick preview of the beautiful, latest collector's edition of The JAMAICAN magazine featuring a brand new Art Section. It shows some great images by Jamaican photographers, fabulous locations and nostalgic stories and historic articles. This publication has certainly outdone itself, and is soon to grace many a coffee table both here and abroad, Congratulations,Lorraine Murray. It's sure to be a big hit on the bookstands shortly.
Happy shooting for 2006!
Howard Moo Young is an advertising/graphic design/ photography consultant with over 40 years experience. Email:howardmooyoung@getcaughtmedia.com.
