If you have ever held a camera and fiddled around with it, zoomed in on a scene and immortalised it in a photograph you are proud of, you can probably identify with a photo artist. The pains he or she takes to find the right moment, the patience or impatience of the wait, the thrill of spotting something nobody else has noticed and rendering it memorably evident to all, thanks to quick thinking or a painstakingly studied snap.
At Aldabra Atelier & Gallery in SmartCity, a glorious selection of fine photography awaits those interested enough to visit it. To meet and greet me was master photographer Kevin Casha, the curator of 'The Ten Beyond', who took me on a tour of the works.
"This exhibition has been mounted because I wanted to demonstrate how passion can transform a picture into an artistic image of international level. I personally selected these 10 top master photographers, all members of the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP) with which I collaborated to make this exhibition a reality. They are all exceptional in their genre, so I asked them to present pictures that best represent an area of their photographic specialisation. Most of them are already highly admired in international photography circles, having won awards and merits, and I am very proud to have them on board."
The artists, who are all Maltese except for one, present a truly enlightening array of images, each of which perfectly identifies the photographer's personal preference and taste. Every artist displays five large-size photographs based on specific and very individual themes. Dominic Aquilina specialises in sport photography and shows a selection of action-packed images of varies sportspeople in action while Guido Bonett focuses on insects and reptiles with intensely detailed close-ups of these minute creatures and Johann Siggesson, who hails from Sweden, is a wildlife photographer who prefers monochrome photography. Darrin Zammit Lupi, one of Malta's leading photojournalists, has immortalised key historic moments both locally and abroad. Veronica Busuttil is an underwater photographer, who dives to the depths of the seas to catch a glimpse of the aquatic lives of elusive sea creatures. Keith Ellul does seascapes and landscapes and presents a monochrome selection of the latter with particular perception. Samuel Scicluna does travel, landscape and astrophotography and in this exhibition shares awesome landscape images of rugged and oftentimes hostile Nordic regions. Duncan Cauchi specialises in still-life photography and for this exhibition presents a series of macro water images; Ramon Curmi looks to the skies for inspiration and shows some incredible astrophotography; Joseph Lungaro is a travel photographer who often shoots images with a subtle social tone.
Kevin Casha speaks of the exhibitors with admiration, "This show of works proves that passion will enable one to achieve what is desired in life. It involves hard work and determination, but each of these photographers started with minimal photographic knowledge, but their progress was fuelled by a desire to experiment and learn. They have never looked back. Each picture has a story behind it and an effort made it happen. Travelling long distances, nighttime shoots; waiting for the right moment in inclement weather for the right moment. Many times, pictures are also taken at great personal risk. Great photos do not just happen. They are usually products of study, attention to detail and discipline."
'The Ten Beyond' was made possible thanks to the support of Gabriella Mallia and G. Luigi Rossi alias Aaron Lu, co-founders of Aldabra Atelier & Gallery. Mr Casha said: "Their input when setting it all up was invaluable, since the space is huge and this is the first photography exhibition they have held since it was opened. I must also thank the two top printing laboratories, ILab and Intervisions, which offered their support in this first-ever event of its kind."
The exhibition, which incidentally was featured on Bulgarian National TV, was also the backdrop for the launch of international photojournalist Hristo Rusev's 'The Last (eternal) Mime', a photographic publication documenting the disappearing world of French mime. The photographic project on which the publication is based is a finalist in the Siena International Photography Awards, and has received accolades at the Paris Photography Prize 2018.
The Ten Beyond is on show at Aldabra Atelier & Gallery, SmartCity, until 25 March. Hristo Rusev's publication is also available at the exhibition space. For enquiries and further information, call 9947 0106.