Amateur photographer exhibits at Bliss

Many of us walk by them every day without so much as a second glance: places like the Supreme Court or St. John’s Cathedral. But these rare architectural gems are a vanishing breed in Belize… and that’s why we’re fortunate that one man is photographing them, and other sometimes unappreciated Belizean scenes for future generations to enjoy. Yesterday I visited the Bliss for a look.

The exhibition, “Scenes of Belize,” displays over one hundred pictures snapped by forty-five year old amateur photographer, Noel Escalante. The photographs, which were taken over a period of twenty years, add up to a comprehensive view of some of Belize’s breathtaking landscapes, ruins, old buildings and cayes.

Noel Escalante, Photographer

“I find it very relaxing and I find it really relaxing to be going out with a camera and just appreciating Belize, appreciating nature and appreciating the environment. And you will see scenes as I’ve said out there, that most people would say is obvious, but for you looking at it, really looking at it for the first time and taking it and capturing it, it’s a really an exhilarating sort of experience.”

Escalante, who does not plan his shoots, says most of the photography is taken by chance… capturing a moment, at the time he sees it.

Noel Escalante

“I don’t really sort of going out looking for any particular scene, I just see something, I snap it and as I said most of the time it comes out very well.”

“Scenes of Belize” at The Belisle Art Gallery will come to a close on September twentieth.

When he’s not capturing Belizean scenes on film Escalante works as registrar of hotels at the Belize Tourist Board.