Tenth Anniversary Photowalks, Volume 3 by visions.gy

VOLUME 3

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

PHOTOWALKS

2010 - 2020

Photos from walks held from June 4th to 6th, 2020 Bourda Market Avenue Walk Hope Koker Cummings Lodge/Industry Unity Linden A

P R O D U C T I O N

GUYANA PHOTOGRAPHERS: Tenth Anniversary Photowalks, Volume 3 is compiled and edited by Fidal Bassier, Taijrani Rampersaud, and Michael C. Lam.

Published by VISIONS Publication date: August 15, 2020

P R O D U C T I O N

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 Tana Yussuﬀ: Sweet Nostalgia.

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

PHOTOWALKS VOLUME 3 - July 4th-6th, 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 they enable photographers to meet in person, to share and learn from each other in real time, and, of course, to take photographs while participating in group activities. The resulting images usually convey differences in perspectives 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, a mobile device, or some other instrument. This volume of Tenth Anniversary Photowalks contains self-curated images from the photographers who participated during the third weekend. It must be noted that all participants adhered strictly to national guidelines and safety measures regarding COVID-19. The organizers also helped to reinforce safety measures by planning simultaneous walks in different locations which resulted in smaller groups – this allowed for space (in open air) which ensured participants were scattered and social distancing was possible. On this third weekend, six walks were planned and executed, mainly because we had an extra day, CARICOM day was on the Monday giving us a long weekend. There were two walks on July 04, 2020: Bourda Walk led by Fidal Bassier, and Avenue Walk led by Darrell Carpenay. On July 05, 2020, Tana Yussuff led the Hope Koker Walk, and Michael C. Lam led the Cummings Lodge - Industry Village Walk . On the CARICOM Day Holiday, July 06, 2020, Dione Vanderhyden took over from Brian Gomes to lead a photowalk called Drive to Linden, and almost simultaneously, Michael C. Lam led the Unity Walk, to Unity shore and Koker near the mouth of the Mahaica River. Following these walks on weekend three, the participants then selected a maximum of ten images from their haul to be published in this magazine. These pictures convey to others the experiences 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.

Bourda Market Walk

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

with Fidal Bassier

Bourda Market was initially built in 1880 and reconstructed in 1902 to facilitate the growing number of vendors and customers. Over the years, Bourda Market has expanded beyond the main building into the surrounding streets Regent Street, Robb Street, and North Road running east to west; Orange Walk and Bourda Street running north to south; and, some activities occurring in neighbouring Alexander Street. As a result, the market activities have lent some character to these streets and incorporated them into what is now Bourda Market. To add to the charm of the area, many of the buildings along these streets are still of an older style architecture wise. They provide a strong, static background which contrasts with the hustle and bustle of a typical Guyanese market scene. For our walk, we did not attempt to go into the main market building, nor the large stall area to the north of it, we stuck to the streets (all of those mentioned in the first paragraph). The natural lighting outside coupled with diverse subjects – both near and far, enabled us a variety of photographic possibilities. In addition, by choosing an early hour – rather than the peak time, resulted in a different type of customer, different attitudes from the vendors, and, perhaps, even a different set of denizens.

Bourda Market has proven to be, time and again, a photographer’s dream location for colours and activity, for testing our techniques, and, for documenting an integral aspect of Guyanese culture – a marketplace. © Fidal Bassier

Bourda Market Walk with Fidal Bassier

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Michael C. Lam and Fidal Bassier

Bourda Market Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk

Fidal Bassier

Bourda Market Walk with Fidal Bassier

Robb Street ÂŠ Fidal Bassier

Shopper ÂŠ Fidal Bassier

Avenue Walk with Darrell Carpenay

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

The Avenue Photowalk took photographers though some of the more popular streets in Georgetown. Starting at Thomas Road, we made our way through segments of Camp Street, Waterloo Street, C a r m i c h a e l S t r e e t , a n d Ma i n S t r e e t . We photographed those things that captivated us. There was much to appreciate along the route we took from historic buildings and architecture to the beautiful ﬂamboyant and samaan trees that line the avenues on both sides.

shade and give the city a forest-like appearance. One merely has to look up at the canopy to feel as though they have been transported to a rainforest. Sadly, over the years, these pathways have suffered from neglect and disrepair. More and more trees have died and fallen without any effort to replace them. Garbage, clogged drains, and broken bollards are also a common sight all of which severely limit these spaces being used to their full potential. Still, they remain through the ages, faithfully providing pedestrians with a safe path from the road traffic to their destinations.

Although each avenue (the walkway between the two sides of the streets) is unique, they all have similarities in design and appearance. Each avenue stretches from Lamaha Street in the north to Church Street in the south, and each has ﬂowering trees and plants lining both sides - many of which are in full bloom in the months of May and June. The avenues also boast of a wide variety of bird species that thrive in Georgetown. It is not uncommon to see larger species like herrings, egrets, and snail kites looking for food along the avenue drains.

It is not diﬃcult to see the importance of these avenues in our city: they serve thousands of pedestrians, and many of us have grown up walking along them. Ideally, a peaceful walk through these pathways, whether for commute or a leisurely stroll, can be a refreshing and therapeutic experience. Perhaps, someday, they will be restored to their full glory and fulﬁl the potential they have.

Main Street is perhaps the most impressive due to its size and being the best maintained. It is lined on each side with samaan trees which provide abundant

We hope you enjoy the following collection of images produced by the group of talented photographers who partook in this photowalk.

Dog Walker © Savita Balkaran

Demerara Bank Ltd. © Bryan Nobrega

Mailbox on Lamaha St. ©Kenny Harrinaraine

Avenue Walk with Darrell Carpenay

First Black © Guneshwari Preiya Methuram

Hidden Gem © Bryan Nobrega

Patriotic view of state house © Bryan Nobrega

Crossing - Camp St. Avenue, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Feeding time © Bryan Nobrega

Social/Physical distancing © Bryan Nobrega

Bee on the avenue © Kenny Harrinaraine

Book worms allowed © Bryan Nobrega

Carpet - Waterloo St. Avenue, Georgetown © Darrell Carpenay

Piss and Power to the People ©Guneshwari P. Methuram

City or Jungle ©Savita Balkaran

Never alone ©Johnnathan Kanhai

Avenue Walk with Darrell Carpenay

Roll © Savita Balkaran

Silk trim © Bryan Nobrega

Empty walk way on Main St ©Johnnathan Kanhai

Rain trees on Main St ©Kenny Harrinaraine

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Mail box © Johnnathan Kanhai

Damaged © Bryan Nobrega

Empty sidewalk at Middle St.© Johnnathan Kanhai

Christ Church © Johnnathan Kanhai

Bruk out - captured during an altercation between these two gentlemen © Bryan Nobrega

Avenue Walk with Darrell Carpenay

Guardians - Main St. Avenue, Georgetown ÂŠ Darrell Carpenay

(L-R): Guneshwari P. Methuram, Kenny Harrinaraine, Tana YussuďŹ&#x20AC;, Bryan Nobrega, Darrell Carpenay, Savita Balkaran, Johnnathan Kanhai

Avenue Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Darrell Carpenay

Walk - Waterloo St. Avenue, Georgetown © Darrell A. Carpenay

Path - Camp St. Avenue, Georgetown © Darrell A. Carpenay

Hope Koker Walk with Tana Yussuff

The 8-door sluice located in Good Hope, more commonly known as the Hope Koker can be found on the East Coast of Demerara. As Guyanese, we refer to the sluice as a koker the Dutch equivalent, as these structures were built by the Dutch. This structure acts as a barrier from the Atlantic Ocean - since it is a well-known fact that Guyana’s coast is below sea level, and to drain the land in the rainy seasons. These kokers built during the Dutch era are all manual; however, this 8-door sluice has been upgraded and is now machine operated.

Hope Koker © Annalise Bayney

The Good Hope Canal, or the East Demerara Water Conservancy, is one of Guyana’s largest drainage projects. During the rainy season, the water in the conservancy tends to rise above the maximum capacity and, as a result, the sluice assists in the drainage of the extra water into the Atlantic Ocean. Apart from it being important for drainage, the Hope Koker is also crucial for the fishermen. At the point where the sluice drains into the Atlantic Ocean, the fishermen would dock and off load their boats after a long fishing voyage. It is common for many Guyanese to visit this spot early on Sunday mornings for the first catch offloading from the boats. Fresh fish from a boat is always enjoyed!

Koker detail © Annalise Bayney

Hope Koker Walk with Taja Yussuff

The aim of this photowalk was to explore the 8-door sluice infrastructure and also observe some aspects of the life of our ﬁshermen. The team arrived at the Hope Koker at 7 am on Sunday, July 05, 2020. Sadly, due to the rainy and gloomy morning, we were met with empty boats parked along the bank. However, we used this challenge to look at our subjects from a new perspective and captured these images you see.

Boats awaits the Tides at Hope Koker © Bianca Campbell

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Koker Detail © Annalise Bayney

Koker Detail - B&W © Annalise Bayney

Hope 8 Sluice Koker © Tana Yussuﬀ

Gateway to the Ocean © Annalise Bayney

Thunder © Michael C. Lam

Boats 4 © Fidal Bassier

Anchored © Fidal Bassier

Hope Koker Walk with Taja Yussuff

Boats Ashore at Hope Koker © Bianca Campbell

Boats 3 © Fidal Bassier

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Left out in the Rain ©Troy AA Parboo

Layers © Fidal Bassier

Propeller © Fidal Bassier

Rope to Hold The Boat ©Troy AA Parboo

Fabric © Fidal Bassier

Shells at Hope Koker © Bianca Campbell

Equipped - Hope Koker, ECD ©Darrell Carpenay

Perilous Path? © Annalise Bayney

Hope Koker Walk with Taja Yussuff

8 Doors the Water Flows At Hope Koker © Bianca Campbell

Hope Canal and Koker with ﬁshing boats © Kenny Harrinaraine

Fishing boat on a rainy day ©Kenny Harrinaraine

The Boats of Hope © Troy AA Parboo

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3 18

Boats 1 © Fidal Bassier

Boats 5 © Fidal Bassier

Boats 2 © Fidal Bassier

Waiting © Annalise Bayney

Abandoned ﬁshing boat on the mud ﬂat © Kenny Harrinaraine

All About the Dollar at Hope Koker © Bianca Campbell

Frigates © Annalise Bayney

Hope Koker Walk with Taja Yussuff

Tools © Fidal Bassier

Short Pillar of Hope © Troy AA Parboo

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3 20

Keeping an eye on things © Annalise Bayney

(L-R): Troy AA Parboo, Fidal Bassier, Bianca Campbell, Tana Yussuﬀ, Guneshwari P. Methuram, Kenny Harrinaraine, Annalise Bayney, Michael C. Lam,Darrell Carpenay

Hope Koker Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk

Tana Yussuﬀ

Hope Koker Walk with Taja Yussuff

Rainy Days at Home Koker © Tana Yussuﬀ

Sluice Boat Parking © Tana Yussuﬀ

Cummings Lodge - Industry Village Walk with Michael C. Lam Cummings Lodge sits on the edge of the Georgetown City boundary, and Industry is the ﬁrst village across that boundary. We thought that a walk through a small portion of this area might result in some unusual images for us, as it is not something we have done much before.

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

The Cummings Lodge portion mainly centred around the Graham's Hall Road and Sixth Street areas. This then led us into Industry Crown Dam and onwards through Fifth Street Industry – which is home to the Cheddi Jagan Arch. We then took a short detour after the arch up one block and circled back the way we came.

Since these two areas are close to two of the more important tertiary education institutes in the country – the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education, the population has

become quite diverse over the years as students rent apartments from home-owners in the area. The increase in population, their needs, and the proximity to Georgetown and the Ogle Airport have resulted in a few aspects of a little city life: supermarkets, bars and rum-shops, stationery shops, taxi services and department shops in addition to the rural street market, ﬁshermen, and paper delivery persons. Furthermore, the presence of nursery, primary and secondary schools coupled with places of worship from the tree major religions in Guyana (Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism) have truly made the Cummings Lodge – Industry villages an intriguing mix of country side charm and contemporary life with modern utilities.

All these diverse elements - the somewhat rural atmosphere coupled with splashes of modernity, made for an interesting walk. With regards to photography, it is truly an area worth exploring some more in the future.

Afternoon chitchat © Tana Yussuﬀ

Arch © Michael C. Lam

Afternoon commute © Tana Yussuﬀ

Bridge Lime © Tana Yussuﬀ

Cummings Lodge - Industry Walk with Michael C. Lam

Landmark © Wally Prince

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Fence © Michael C. Lam

House © Michael C. Lam

Towing © Darrell A. Carpenay

Highlights, Sixth Street, Cummings Lodge © Wally Prince

Cummings Lodge - Industry Walk with Michael C. Lam

Sinks © Michael C. Lam

Egg © Michael C. Lam

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Sweet © Darrell A. Carpenay

Venturing Out © Wally Prince

Market Lime © Tana Yussuﬀ

(L-R): Mary Ansdell, Fidal Bassier, Michael C. Lam, Malina Lam, Miriam Lam, Tana Yussuﬀ, Darrell A. Carpenay, Wally Prince

Cummings Lodge Industry Village Walk Two Images, specially from the leader of the photowalk

Wheel ÂŠ Michael C. Lam

Cummings Lodge - Industry Walk with Michael C. Lam

Michael C. Lam

Back when... ÂŠ Michael C. Lam

Drive to Linden with Dione Vanderhyden

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Linden, the mining epicentre of Guyana for the Hilly Sand and Clay Region, was declared a town in 1970. It spans three communities of people which include MacKenzie, Christianburg, and Wismar – of which all three were visited for this photowalk-cum-drive.

The town is most known for bauxite mining and the lovely drive from the coast through forest lined roads going inland. One of the results of mining activities is the beautiful blue lakes. These lakes used to be mining pits and, over the years, have accumulated blue and green mineral water. Their appearance is a novelty in Guyana since we have mud ﬂaps instead of sand at our shores – our coastline is bordered by brown instead of clear waters. As a result, the lakes have become quite a tourist attraction. On this walk, we were able to see these lakes in person and I could not resist taking a dip in one. I can tell you it certainly was not anything that I was expecting - it was warm and not cold, the water was transparent and exceptionally clean, and it was very refreshing.

noticed that we were from out of town and wanted to give us a tour of their town. We crossed the well-known Wismar Bridge and headed to the Christiansburg Water Wheel. Fun fact: in 1895, the Scottish engineer, John Dagleish Patterson, installed this large iron wheel as a prime mover for his sawmilling equipment. Patterson’s hydro-powered sawmill was the only one of its kind. Sadly, it was dismantled but the water wheel remains as an example of how the timber industry was mechanized to exploit the rich natural resources Guyana. While our photowalk was successful, another trip to Linden is a must as there were many things and places we did not get to visit. For now, please do enjoy our small haul of images from this amazing location.

Although mining is no longer happening on a large scale in Linden, there are still pockets of smaller activities. As a result, we were able to see the roads and huge trucks traversing them from a distance on the edge of one of the many cleft faces that still surrounds the pits. Linden is unique from the rest of the country. Its hilly terrain and diverse culture are diﬀerent from any other part of Guyana. The atmosphere was welcoming, and the residents were hospitable – they

Breath taking views seen at Linden's Blue Lakes © Dione Vanderhyden

Where water runs © Dione Vanderhyden

Drive to Linden with Dione Vanderhyden

Everybody should go here at some point in their life ÂŠ Dione Vanderhyden

The beautiful blue and sometimes seemingly green lakes of the Linden bauxite mines ÂŠ Dione Vanderhyden

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3 30

Paradise awaits you ....you just have to go looking © Dione Vanderhyden

A hill top view of the mines in linden © Dione Vanderhyden

This once held the strength of a thousand men © Dione Vanderhyden

Log Art ...this was taken at a camp site ranch house along the linden highway ÂŠ Dione Vanderhyden

(L-R): Ronald Nandlall, Dione Vanderhyden, friendly driver, Shari Grimes, Michael Bonds Jr.

Drive to Linden with Dione Vanderhyden

Everything on earth is memorizing we just have to open our eyes ÂŠ Dione Vanderhyden

Drive to Linden Two select images from the leader of the photowalk

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Dione Vanerhyden

Unity Walk with Michael C. Lam

Unity, Mahaica is probably most famous for one of its people - cricket great known around the world as a “Tiger” – he is Shivnarine Chanderpaul. For us photographers, it was a place much like many others that we love to explore. The shoreline boasts of boats and ﬁshermen and of old trees and birds, while the surround areas had a calming countryside, rural area feeling. We had quite a fun time at our starting point, before moving on to where the koker is situated. The koker marks the point where the Mahaica Creek (or river) intersects with the coast and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The photographic haul is bountiful and comprises everything from seascapes and landscapes to people, religious activities, and the ﬁshermen with their haul. Of course, the ever-present pictures of boats, kokers, and waterways are an apt conclusion to our Tenth Anniversary Photowalks. Do enjoy.

Unity Walk with Michael C. Lam

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Unity Walk with Michael C. Lam

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Unity Walk with Michael C. Lam

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Unity Walk with Michael C. Lam

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Unity Walk with Michael C. Lam

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Unity Walk with Michael C. Lam

(L-R): Guneshwari P. Methuram, Wally Prince, Shaun Jagdeo, Tana Yussuﬀ, Troy AA Parboo, Fidal Bassier, Nikhil Ramkarran, Michael C. Lam, Savita Balkaran, Darrell Carpenay

Unity Walk Two select images from the leader of the photowalk

Guyana Photographers’ Tenth Anniversary Photowalks VOLUME 3

Michael C. Lam

Our Walk Leaders Fidal Bassier Fidal Bassier is a professional Photographer, he lives and works in Guyana. He also produces under the name 55 Photography. He is the founder of the Guyana Photographers’ Facebook Group, and is responsible for the collective’s creation and proliferation to date. He was the gold medal winner in the Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition (GVACE) 2014, and has exhibited in editions of GVACE as well as in the VISIONS exhibitions.

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.

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.

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.

Dione Vanderhyden Dione Vanderhyden bought her first DSLR in 2015 as she entered the photography arena. Though she identified as an amateur then, she has been taking pictures since she was a child. After a few years working as an assistant photographer with Ian DeFreitas coupled with research and working for credit to establish her name in the field, she now operates her own business – Ciara Newborn Photography. Carving a niche for herself as a maternity and new-born photographer, she has documented some amazing moments for her clients as she captures the first stage of a person’s life. As a professional photographer, she loves to fuse photography and art to tell the life stories of her clients.

10 TENTH ANNIVERSARY

PHOTOWALKS VOLUME 3 - June 4th-6th, 2020

P R O D U C T I O N