Book Puts Photographer In The Picture

November 14, 2011

Ras Mykkal [pictured] may one day remembered as one of Bermuda’s best sports photographers but he did not start out with that in mind.

Mr. Mykaal — whose first book of sports photography, “Click … I Got Ya, Vol, One”, goes on sale exclusively at Brown & Co. on November 19 — conceded all he really wanted to do in life was race his motocross bikes.

“I just loved to ride, I was not of the talent or skill of Ruddy Cann, Colin Emery, Chris Shanks or Aaron Pace, but I loved to ride,” he said.

He made his biggest impact in the sports as an administrator. Mr. Mykaal raced from 1979-1995 and serve as a flagman, track designer, president and public relations officer at different time during the same period.

As public relations officer he would take the race results to the print and electronic media, preview up-coming events, set up interviews, and photograph the races that he was not in. It was here that his interest in sports photography started.

In 1997, Ras Mykkal earned his certification as a professional photographer with the New York Institute of Photography and branched out to learn the skills of capture all forms of sporting activities and their personalities.

Mr. Mykkal is also a self-taught graphic designer, having produced many posters, banners, flyers, signs and backdrops combined with his photography for the Bermuda Government, schools and local and international businesses. Some of the posters are included in this book.

There is more to Ras Mykkal than just photography; he is also a poet, a dub poet with two albums released to the public, the first one “Bermuda’s First Governor” was released in 1998 and the second “Dem Call Mi Controversial” was released in 2000. He is also exploring the possibility of a book of poetry.

“If there’s one thing that I’d would like for everyone, especially children, to take from my book ‘Click’, it’s that it was my involvement with a community motocross club that allowed me to find my direction in life,” he said.

“Not everyone is cut out for college, but being involved with community and social organizations can be a great way to find your purpose in life.

“It could be your introduction to learning management skills, becoming a journalist, accounting or just learning to be responsible.”

There will be a launch party for the book at Brown & Co from 11am – 3pm on November 19 with a presentation by Mr. Mykkal at 1 pm.

Read More About

Category: All, Entertainment, Sports

.