Anthea McGibbon, Gleaner Writer
THWACK, WHACK!
Six runs! Dellmar "George" Samuels bowls the world again.
From his extensive collection of photographs, Dellmar publishes a "Cricket Spectacular" reflecting his involvement with seven of the eight World Cup Cricket Competitions ever held.
Recently, the book was launched in the Red Stripe Lounge, Spanish Town Road.
Adding light humour, Ed Barnes told supporters that Dellmar "is the only photographer who "actually gives instructions to cricketers on and off the field" - telling them where to stand, for example. This, he explained was to secure good shots.
Dr. Carlton Davis, guest speaker, was appreciative of Dellmar's courage in "Making a bold investment for the benefit of cricket".
Speaking for absentee Jackie Hendricks, Brian Breese described Dellmar as previously being "very professional and very miserable". However, he lauded Dellmar's achievements as "tremendous (that he had done this)".
The photographer who is usually smartly dressed, was instead very relaxed as he welcomed approximately 100 persons to enjoy the fruit of his 35-year labour. Through his keepsake photographs, Dellmar relates untold stories.
fifteen photographs
Very carefully, fifteen photographs were chosen from at least 300, and professionally mounted on stands - a perfect finish to the evening's historic launch. Provoking memories of World Cricket Cup highpoints, the photographs also briefly offered vital statistics of the individually featured cricketers, up to February 2007.
Detailed information included match description and case statistics such as number of matches played by cricketers, innings, not outs, runs, centuries, wickets, the player's highest score, and his average.
In one particular photo, viewers were caught celebrating with Ricardo Powell, Ridley Jacobs and Daren Ganga as they run onto the field after Garth Batty 'is caught' by Christopher Gayle.
The 15 support photographs were dynamic ? being much larger than the book's prints, and, emphasising elegant signature strokes of individual cricketers. Featuring mostly Brian Lara and Christopher Gayle, the other players highlighted are Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chaunderpaul, Dwayne Bravo, and Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh.
The earlier success years of the West Indies team, has been one strong source of Dellmar's inspiration. He remembers having no money at the start of his budding career, but driven by an obsessive love for the game, he invested everything he had to finance his travels and participation as a photographer. Never without the support of his family, he is, today, a model to Jamaican career photographers that discipline and hard work, in this sometimes-overlooked field, pays off.
overcoming difficulties
He is not a fine art photographer, but Dellmar testifies of overcoming difficulties through both pictorials 'Cricket Spectacular' and 'Caribbean Cricket Spectacular', 1995.
Challenges, such as technology, the Jamaican economy, and the human factor especially the imposing crowd, are written about in the front of the book.
However, Dellmar's "fixity of purpose, inner strength' which has been critical to the development of the photographer's skill as he learns on the job, is noted. His images get sharper, better balanced and more purposeful with each passing year.
This current project, based on Dellmar's recently ended Flashback series published in the Daily Gleaner, is also the result of a photographer who according to Gladstone E Mills O.J. O.D. "epitomises co-oporeration, and team spirit."
In the 88-page book, one has the opportunity to relive World Cup cricket between the years 1979-2003 through the 84 presented photographs. Capturing celebratory moments of players from varying teams with emphasis on the West Indies, Dellmar cleverly pitches personality and communication elements - mid-air jumps, the dances, prancing, the swings, finger pointing, hand curves et al.
Off the pitch, Dellmar captures award ceremonies and other moments of celebration. Of note is Courtney Walsh being honoured as sportsman on Page 29, and a basking Arjuna Ranatunga, captain of Sri Lanka (1996) on Page 41.
The book also connects us with the human side of the players. We are invited to Walsh's birthday party and sit among the chanting Pakastani cheerleaders.
The book encapsulates Mike Gatting's explanation of his infamous reverse sweep against Allan Border, claiming his wicket. Historic moments such as former Prime Minister PJ Patterson breaking ground for the Trelawny Stadium, are as equally highlighted as the acrobatic skills of cricketers.
Among the creative package of souvenir photographs, carefully edited by Aura Technologies, are a classic frame of Aloun n'dombet Assamba, Minister of Tourism and Portia Simpson Miller, then Minister of Sports on Page 74.
Speaking volumes, the photographs reflect more than a woman's appreciation for the game, as they stand behind "their men". The cheering women, smartly attired and blossoming with infectious smiles are a welcomed adornment to the overall collection.
Unlike the first book, the challenge presented by the current book is that unless you love photography and have been following the game since 1975, then the book is of little significance to you.
On one or two pages there is a lack of player detail, as the book's selections promote the mood, action, vital statistics and sportsmanship of its participants. True sportsmanship is a clear strength of the selections, especially as the countries' flags, continually raised by the ardent fans, are conspicuous through 'thick and thin'.
'Cricket Spectacular' proportionately packaged by Dellmar's wife, Carol and her team, is a good choice for an avid book collectors's line.
The book displays Dellmar's development in style and skill influenced by his unrelenting passion, resulting in sharper images captured in less and less time. The book portrays Dellmar's commitment to being a true inspiration of "More Love" for the game.
ENDER: Anthea McGibbon, a graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts has more than 10 years experience in the fields of journalism and the arts. Contact her at islandartattack@yahoo.co.uk or anthea.mcgibbon@gleanerjm.com.
