Multi-award winning photographer and fellow of The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain, Ganid Thepsrimuang has long been fascinated by Nepal, not only because of its extraordinary architecture, the people and their traditions, culture and way of life, but also the grandeur of the Himalayan mountain range.
So when disaster struck in the form of a massive earthquake on April 25 that destroyed thousands of lives as well as ancient towns and villages, he was devastated. It was also by pure chance that he escaped tragedy; he was in a plane bound for Nepal that very day, but the flight was diverted to Bangkok as a result of the earthquake.
He felt impelled to contribute to the aid efforts in the way he knew best — through his photographs. Going through his archives, he selected some of his favourite photographs that he had taken on his several trips to Nepal in the past, and compiled them in a slim coffee table book.
An elderly woman sits in front of her house.
In his introduction, Ganid writes: “My personal goal for this book is to commemorate the true beauty of the country’s World Heritage Sites.” The book has therefore been divided into three sections according to the country’s geographical locations prior to the earthquake: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, and Annapurna. They depict the culture, lifestyle and landscape of Nepal, with a few two-page spreads to heighten the magnificent panorama that the scenery offers.
What is interesting for aspiring photographers is “The Author’s Approach” written in the back, in which Ganid shares some of his best photography pointers.
Captions, clustered together at intervals, are written in three languages — English, Thai and Chinese.
Writing the forewards were Chartsiri Sophonpanich, president of Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, who funded the publication, and Waranun Chutchawantipakorn, National Artist (Visual Arts) 2009.
Ganid’s photographic work is recognised not only in Thailand, but also internationally. He was named in the Top 10 Photographers of the Year 2008 (Travel) by Practical Photography Magazine, but the feather in his cap was winning Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Trophy in the 14th National Photography Competition organised by The Bangkok Photographic Society in 2004.
Part of the sale proceeds of Memory Of Nepal will be donated to help victims of the Nepal earthquake. To order, call Ganid on 092-683-9292.
Patan Durbar Square.
Marigold vendors in Kathmandu Durbar Square.
