Letting his shots tell the story; a photo exhibition tour with photography legend Ian Grant

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

He started thirty years ago. He got out of it because he was spending a whole lot of money on his craft. He stopped for about fifteen years, and then he started up again about five years ago seriously. “I said to myself, you know what? I am going to give it a go. I think I made the right decision. People really like my work. They are buying my work. It’s only now that I am beginning to see returns.” I thought about what this astounding artist had just said. Imagine! This generation wants things to happen right away. If it doesn’t, they just move on to something else.

On Thursday, February 6^th, 2020, The Toronto Caribbean Newspaper was invited to come to the opening of a Photo Exhibit of Images at The Consulate General of Grenada, located at 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 605. The famed photographer Ian Grant had reached out to me about an art exhibit that was held in Georgetown last year. I was so blown away by his work. I knew I wanted to see more.

When I arrived at the Consulate General office, the first thing I smelled is the food. As I walked into the office, I saw people bustling about. The energy in the room was high, and everyone seemed to be in a great mood. I looked around trying to locate Ian, and a friendly soul directed me towards him.

He was in a deep exchange when I came into the room, but as soon as he saw me, he gave me a big smile. “Welcome Simone!” After a few moments of formal introduction, he took me on a tour of the exhibit, and shared with me the history of some of the pictures, and we openly discussed his love of photography.

“I walk around, and sometimes a person with the average eye will say, ‘Ian take this, but it doesn’t mean anything to me. I have to be in that moment. I have to feel it. None of my shots are timed. It is what it is. I think it is why other photographers appreciate my work.” Sometime his work seems unreal, even though he is the one who took it.

Ian has a remarkable eye. His work has received international recognition.

Some of his pieces have won awards in international photography competitions.

He won second prize in 2000 for “Beach Blaster” at the International Caribbean Beat Photo Competition.

“I don’t set up any of my shots. I let them tell the story. Everyone has a different opinion of what they see, and it is interesting to hear some of the stories they come up with. When I am working with a person, I ask their permission. Then I tell them to go and do their thing. I don’t do posed pictures. The pictures come out better that way.”

 We had fun walking through the gallery so beautifully set up by the Consulate. He brought me to this one photo, and a reaction was ensued. “This woman looks miserable,” I said laughing. “Oh, she was,” Ian replied. “I had to buy her the coke in the picture. Pay her extra money. Yeah! She was so miserable. She wanted to pose for me, and I said no. I went up the hill, came back down thirty minutes later. I finally caught the shot.”

Due to the fact that his exhibit is at the Grenadian Consulate General Office, many of the photos are pictures from the island. You can tell that they do mean something to him, because he speaks with nostalgic tones. They seem to bring him back to another time.

The tour stimulated the creative gene inside of me. I don’t know if it was the colours, the great lighting, the capture, the composition, the contrasts, the incredible juxtaposition, his use of depth of field, or his creativity. Photographers and art lovers, this exhibit is for you.

The date of the exhibit has been extended to Saturday, March 7^th, 2020. Viewing is as follows:

• Monday to Friday – 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
• Saturday, February 29^th, 2020: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Saturday, March 7^th, 2020: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
• For more information, or if you are interested in setting up a tour, please call

416-595-1343