“The pleasure of being able to bring my thoughts to life in a physical form is something I truly treasure,” say young Deopaul Somwaru when asked about how he feels about his photography.
The twenty year old hails from Parika Village on the East Bank of Essequibo and is a first year Biology student at the University of Guyana. The shy young man explains that while growing up he has never really had an interest in photography rather it was computers and later science that fascinated him.
Deopaul was a student of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan and was introduced to Biology in Form 2 and from since then he has worked towards a career in the field. It is his home, that once he completes his degree, that he can begin a career in Zoology since he enjoys spending time with the animals.
Growing up for him was a time he cherished. Like most children, he had clearly outlined chores around the house since his father worked on a fuel boat and was not around most of the time. His mother ran a small business, which he assisted in running while she would take care of the home.
As time progressed, his father would stop working on the fuel boat and develop their small shop into a general store. He gained his early education at the Hydronie Nursery School and then at the Greenwich Park Primary. He has a love for the arts and was at one point he placed second in the Education Ministry’s National Poetry Competition.
Deopaul has always been interested in nature since he was surrounded by the lush Bushy Park Beach growing up and would spend the August vacation with his grandparents in the riverine community of Bonasika where they owned farmlands. He would venture into the farms with his grandparents and always enjoyed the calmness of the environment.
But this young man not only has an eye for spotting animals hidden under fallen leaves or trees or even a bird high up on a tree, he has the eye to compose an image in his head that makes whatever he is looking at the star. He focuses on them with his Nikon D5300 camera-the first one he ever owned, and waits for the perfect moment to capture the image he envisions.
Like most photographers, Deopaul does not shy away from getting down and dirty to capture the “perfect shot” to tell the story he wants to tell.
Strange as it may seem, the young man only developed an active interest in photography over a year ago after continuously observing his photographer friend Subhash Haimraj run around and take photos. He explained that this inspired him and after he acquired his camera, he then started his journey.
A journey that have resulted in him taking thousands of photos and videos while he spends countless hours editing them to tell the story he his.
But what makes his work unique? Well, you see the photos speak for themselves and to be honest, not every photographer can boast of capturing a nesting hummingbird.
If he is not out taking photos of some couple getting married or the natural landscape, you can find Deopaul showing off his talent with the Dynamic Tassa Troupe. He says he joined the group because he wanted a medium to display his culture and it also serves his photography interest since he would meet potential clients while playing.
Deopaul hopes to continue his photography but notes it is an expensive and time-consuming hobby. (Photos provided by Deopaul) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
