Ken Moore (SN photo)

Veteran news photographer Ken Moore has died at the age of 72.

Moore, who was best known for his association with the Stabroek News and was the daily’s Chief Photographer, passed away Tuesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital after ailing for some time.

“I think it is a grievous blow to the journalism and photography community; he was an extremely hard worker and I think he will be indelibly associated with Stabroek News for many years to come,” Editor-in-Chief Anand Persaud told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com).

He added that Moore played a “very significant role” when the newspaper started in 1986, first as a freelancer and then a full-time employee.  Persaud noted that it was illness that led to the photographer parting ways with the daily a few years ago.

He commended Moore’s work saying it was always of a high standard.

Former Stabroek News colleague and Associated Press (AP) stringer Bert Wilkinson recalled that Moore upon returning to Guyana in the mid-1980s had opened his own photography studio at Wellington and North Road which was highly successful before he eventually made the move to Stabroek News.

“He had some memorable photos including one with the Joint Chiefs of Staff saluting at a Poppy Day ‘86 and three different people doing three different salutes, it was hilarious but it also caused some political discomfort because the men were embarrassed,” Wilkinson recalled with a chuckle.

He added that Moore took news photography to another level when he joined Stabroek News because he returned to Guyana with proper equipment and others were forced to emulate him.

He noted that Moore had also done photography for AP until ill-health intervened.    

Moore, he said, was part of a generation of photographers which included persons such as Cyril Latchoo; Winston Oudkerk; Vivian McDonald; Mike Norville and Ossie Ross.

“He was very amenable, had good interpersonal relationships and was well liked and respected,” Wilkinson said, adding that the photographer took his work very seriously.

Meanwhile, the Guyana Press Association(GPA) in a release stated that Moore saw himself more as an artist than a photojournalist, capturing images that represented creativity at its best.

"Ken Moore was aggressive and tenacious in getting the whole story from as many angles of his lens as he could. His work largely predated the digital age but he would spare no thought of shooting roll upon roll of film to obtain the story line he wanted. Moore never really missed the moment in his quest to put on film, a still image that would be seared in the memory of all those who viewed it," the Association said noting that he was just as good as a portrait photographer.

His gracious but tenacious style and his work will continue to be etched in our memories. The Guyana Press Association salutes his sterling contribution. We extend our condolences to his sorrowing family, relatives, colleagues and friends," the statement concluded.