Photographer and author Peter Ferguson. - contributed by Peter Ferguson Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor
Photographer Peter Ferguson has joined a rapidly expanding list of` Jamaicans who are recording their work for posterity. Come May 5, he will launch ChangeMakers - a book of 101 black and white photographs of outstanding Jamaican men who have effected change through their various endeavours. Ferguson's feat is no small achievement, it took him 11 years but the result is magnificent.
ChangeMakers has foreword by Professor Rex Nettleford, and is the author's attempt to further document some aspects of the island's history before someone alien to our way of life, does it for us.
The St. Catherine-born photographer majored in graphic design at Concordia University, Canada and has racked up numerous awards plus an impressive client list spanning Jamaica, Cayman, the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Flair got the pre-launch exclusive with Ferguson at his Hope Road studio and delved into the process of producing his pictorial masterpiece. It is late evening and he sits, surrounded by the tools of his craft, reggae musicis audible but not intrusive. He is relaxed and the subject is close to his heart, so talk is easy. After completion of studies, Ferguson probably would have been an architect or even an interior designer had he not chosen to stay behind the camera. He studied building construction at Kingston Technical High School. But, fresh from college, his first job was with Grimax Advertising Agency where he spent just a year before venturing out on his own.
Long road to complete
"I have been doing photography now for close to 30 years and ChangeMakers has been 11 years in the making," he said in response to the first obvious question. "At first I just took the pictures then the idea came and a small committee worked through a process of selection." Ferguson said. The author - then in embryo - disclosed that on several occasions he'd simply lay the pictures on the floor of his studio and stare at them.
As for the number of photographs, 101 seemed like a nice figure.
And, the reason for compiling such a work? Almost too shy to accept the magnitude of his achievement, Ferguson said, "At some point, you want to do something meaningful and leave a lasting legacy behind. This first book marks a special time in my family as, come June, my son will graduate from university in Canada with a degree in cinematography," he said, switching into proud papa mode. And now that the book is complete, he goes through a gamut of emotions from elation to introspection.
But at another level, as he saw the face of Jamaica changing, with the passage of years, he wanted to document it. The reason for the book evolved; and as he watched television news nightly, the choices for subjects became clearer. The title also came out of brainstorming sessions as a working title which eventually stuck.
When it came to getting the men to agree to be photographed, the task was at times onerous. "Some did not want the publicity, some had 'handlers' who probably advised them against it and some simply did not respond, but most were receptive and once they accepted, it was all smooth sailing." Ferguson said.
Ferguson is proud of ChangeMakers, every step in the production and publication process were done by him, his wife Paula and a team of able writers and editors. The feeling should therefore be one of elation but he said, "I feel this is only half the step, I have to promote it and I am naturally worried about its success. Sometimes I feel happy, other times sad. But now that I have had the experience, if I decide to do it again, it should be easier," he added.
Concise and honest
Peter Ferguson strikes a pose with his beautiful wife Paula who he credits for being there with him all the way.
ChangeMakers is not text-heavy. great care was taken to ensure that biographical information on each person was concise and honest. The setting for each subject was also carefully thought through. Here the photographer's eye for detail and design took over. He told Flair that for the most part, the men were photographed in their homes where they could feel at ease in their natural surroundings. "I also wanted to present them in ways they have never been seen before."
And he has succeeded. By the fifth picture, the appropriateness of the title is obvious to this writer. Ferguson's use of light and shadow, choice of furniture and props and of course, mastery of technique, produced an eager page-turning experience. There will be many 'aha' and 'wow' moments.
For sceptics, the author is not daunted by the critics who will chide him for an all-male subject. In his own words, "The book was not meant to raise gender issues. It is a book for all Jamaicans and our country so is in such a state now, I hope it helps give hope to our people and reaches those who need uplifting examples."
The cover design features a collage of all the photographs in the book. And the colour green was chosen because the author loves it. "Ilove army green so much. I collect army surplus stuff."
Next moves: Certainly no retirement is in Ferguson's future, "The country is ripe with opportunities. naturally doors will be open when the book comes out and I will be ready to jump through them."
First move advantage:
Ferguson feels great to produce such a book and he does not like to be a copycat. "Wherever the success of ChangeMakers takes me, I will be guided," Ferguson said.
Some of the men photographed include: Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall, Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, High Commissioner Burchell Whiteman, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, Mark Shields, Perry Henzell, Kingsley Cooper, Denis Lalor, Glen Archer, Trevor Rhone, John Issa, Herb McKenley and Asafa Powell.
Peter Ferguson (left) puts James Samuels at ease during a photo shoot for his new book 'Changemakers - 101' portraits of outstanding men in Jamaica'. A major exhibition of the images and book launch is slated for May 5 in Kingston.
