Denise Reid, Gleaner Writer

Ant's-eye view of Devon House, another of Dixon's creations. - Contributed

Western Bureau:

Stumbling into the Phillip Sherlock Centre for the Arts at the University of The West Indies (UWI), Diallo Dixon found an exhibition that not only left him awestruck, but inspired him to become a photographer.

Dixon, who was a second-year student then, said the photos were all black and white and ranged in print size, the smallest being 8"x10" and the largest 12"x16", "They all just stood out ... I said 'wow!', and decided to join the club the next semester."

In the beginning ...

This photo is an up-close view of a leaf.

This was the beginning of his love affair with photography. He later joined UWI's Camera Club, and has been steadily honing his talent. "You develop your own film, buy your own paper, and they guide you with everything," he said about the club.

Speaking of the first photo he took that made him think he might have a calling for photography, Dixon spoke of a trip that he took to Castleton Gardens. "One of the photos I took was of the river, of water flowing over some rocks. It stood out among al the photos I had taken that day and I got quite a lot of attention because of this piece."

When asked whether he prefers using film or taking digital photos, Dixon explained that he has no preference as both have their advantages and drawbacks. "I like using film, I like being in the dark room. Now I'm using digital just because it's a new medium and it's more convenient as you get results right away."

Dixon has since moved from nature to people images: "I have been trying more and more to work with people, because If I decide to become a professional photographer, that's the way to go, but I still prefer to do still life, because that way, you can create your own story." The up-and-coming photographer says he prefers to focus on the work of local photographers and singled out the works of Peter Dean Richards, David Madden and Ryan Lue Clarke, stating that he regularly observed their work.

Dixon has grasped the opportunity to make technology work to his advantage. As such, he has a number of blogs where he shares his work with any eyes willing to absorb his art. "I had a lot of photos sitting down, so I decided to share them, put them online, and I've been doing that ever since. Mostly friends pass by my blog and they will give comments and critique, which is very helpful because you can see where you're going and make improvements."

Explaining what he likes most about photography, Dixon, who is an engineer by profession and a member of the steel-pan group UWI Panoridims, said: "It is the fact that you can tell a story with a photograph. You can take a photo and put a different spin on it; you can create an effect or emotion to it that you wouldn't normally see."

In addition to practising his craft, Dixon looks for online tutorials as well as photography forums in which to participate.

"The basic idea is to keep shooting, keep experimenting and keep learning, because I'm still an amateur and I still have a lot to learn," said the unassuming young man.