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HAPPY SNAPPER Beverley West’s regular ‘field trips’ into the heart of Bahrain have enabled her to capture an amazing portfolio of photographs.
The expat South African housewife’s collection of images depict a sombre, beautiful and light side to the kingdom and she hopes her work will help to portray the true colours of the country.
Mother-of-two Beverley, 40, from Hamala, said: “Photography is not just a passion, it’s who I am. Bahrain is very photogenic.
“The art of photography comes when one believes that if you first look with your heart and then with your camera, you will be able to capture amazing moments.”
The self-taught photographer loves taking photographs of people as well as the architectural magnificence of Bahrain’s traditional buildings, the numerous narrow alleyways and the colourful doors that mark out its homely character.
She takes trips to the central markets and the villages to capture the culture often hidden from the daily highway commuters travelling from their compounds into Manama and the bustling Seef district.
One of Beverley’s favourite pieces is a photograph entitled ‘Sunrise’, part of her Spring Time in Bahrain collection, which she exhibited at the recent 4th annual Visions 2012 American Women’s Association (AWA) Art Exhibition.
She managed to create a series of psychedelic-effect images capturing dancers appearing at a Spring of Culture event which helped splash colour across the kingdom.
“I have a huge collection of captivating images of Bahrain, but my Spring Time in Bahrain collection shows it off the best,” she said. “One photograph entitled Sunrise has a warm and inviting colour in my opinion, depicting the start of a new day, fresh beginnings and hope.”
Beverley is part of an AWA photographic group and takes part in regular field trips to capture the life and spirit of the country. She believes that taking pictures with friends who also love photography is a fun way to observe and gain a new perspective of daily life.
She explained how even though she may visit the same place frequently, it will always look different behind the lens.
“I still have more to learn,” she said. “One of my favourite photographers, Henri Cartier-Bresson, was right when he said: ‘Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst’.”
Beverley has the support of her husband, Alan, a quality insurance manager, and their two children Tyrone, 15, and Kyle, 13, who encourage and give her advice along the way, helping her select images for show as well as naming them. The family has lived in Bahrain for five years.
