For decades, especially during the early part of the 90’s and more apparent in the 21^st Century, photographers had intertwined the dots between facts, perceptions and opinions about the ‘art of photography’ that continuously documenting all spheres of the social strata — life portraits of people, explored and unexplored landscapes, the animal kingdom and the various saga of human conditions and emotions. And without a pinch of doubt, this is the pivotal reason and the moving force that motivated and encouraged a group of Filipino professional photographers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia headed by Nathaniel Amores and  Emerson Valdesco to officially establish in April of 2010 the much talked about: ‘SHUTTERS GUILD’ — the right place that offers an interesting interplay of self-expressionism and whets the creative palate of its bonafide members. 
 


During a recent interview with Nathaniel Amores, author of Shutters Guild ratified Constitution and By-Laws, Norman Cunanan, incumbent President/CEO and Donnie Dean P. Advento, Board Advisor/Consultant, they said in unison that, “Our noble aim is to nourish the passion and love of our Kababayang Pinoy for this art.  Basically, we are providing our members and students the ‘A to Z photography classes’ for them to have an alternative career (and not just a hobby) in case they decide to embark and try additional source of income.” Likewise, SG Management said that they propagate and adhere to the fundamental principles and norms of professional photography such as: a) Photography involves social responsibility; b) Photography is not at all just taking pictures, but rather snapping a frame of crucial and artistic moment; c) That good images need not be manipulated using enhancing software and programs as it becomes more of a graphic design and d) That products of photography should narrate stories, souls and meanings.
 


 
Based on the ‘organization profile’ presented by SG Management to this writer, it was noted that SG was initially planned for establishment in 2009, albeit, was pushed through right after Nathaniel Amores, its founding chair, accepted the offer of Computer Society of Filipinos (ComsoFil) in Riyadh to be one of its fulltime Digital Photography instructors. From then on and from this point, a number of photography graduates under the tutelage and professional care of Amores decided to revisit and revive his and Valdesco’s proposition to establish a photography club:  The Time When Shutters Guild Joined the Limelight in April of 2010. 
 


 
As of this writing, Norman Cunanan heads SG as its President, while other Pinoy artists  who are in the service of SG include:  Billy Joel D. Gonzales, VP for Technical & Development; Catherine T. Gonzales, Vice President for Membership & Treasurer; Juan Paulo Guiao, VP Internal/External Affairs; Bernard P. Obenza & Melchor A. Quintos, VP for Logistics & Sgt. at-Arms; Rodolfo A. Hipolito, Auditor; Catalino I. Baylon, Jr. Secretary.   Serving the Advisory Board comprise of:  Nathaniel Amores, Donnie Dean Advento, Anthony de Guzman, Erlinda Ulita and Emerson Valdesco. 
 


 
Projects in their pipeline include their ‘Regular Photo Exhibits’ and their forthcoming coffee-table-book, ‘Saudi Sceneries & Cultures’, while other successful events they had spearheaded in the past include ‘Several Outdoor/Indoor Photography and Exhibitions’, ‘Glamour Photography’, ‘Photo Contests’, etc.   It is worth to mention that Nathaniel Amores had made two successful photography exhibitions in Singapore namely, ‘Pinoys of Singapore’ shown at the Embassy of the Philippines in Singapore in 2006 and ‘Singapore: In the Eyes of the Filipinos’ with the Singapore Management University in 2007; a couple of artistic feats which were both added in the feathers of his cap. 
 


 


 
Requirements to qualify for SG Membership include: a) should be a bonafide student of ComsoFil; b) likewise, open to public, but applicant should have an artistic interest and passion in photography; c) owns/possesses a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera) and d) an Annual Membership Fee of Saudi Riyals 50.  Interested applicants may contact:  Norman Cunanan (CP 0551037360) or Catherine Gonzales (0509019381).   
 




 
In a nutshell, Shutters Guild in Riyadh has 68 legitimate members and steadfastly making its own artistic brand and mark to learn and practice the art of photography at its best.
(J. Nava Cruz, an OFW, is a freelance writer/author/documentarist.
E-mail at bashamel007@yahoo.com)

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine