CubaPLUS Magazine

Beyond the shutter and the lens, Nathan Chinapen is a multifaceted professional: photographer, biologist, and passionate conservation advocate.

His work–focused on nature and lifestyle, with a particular emphasis on wildlife–stands out for both his passion and his deep connection to his native Guyana.

His journey into photography was not a premeditated path but rather an organic evolution driven by curiosity and public recognition. “At first, I started taking photos with my smartphone, exploring landscapes, street photography, and some nature photography,” he recalls. The positive reaction to his first amateur posts became a catalyst, transforming a hobby into a vocation.

The turning point came in 2019, when he received a Canon Rebel T6 as a gift. He quickly made the most of it, photographing events, portraits, and a bit of wildlife. Continuous investment in new equipment–from upgraded cameras to specialized lenses–marked his transition into professional photography, culminating in his current focus on nature and wildlife.

For Nathan, photography is much more than a technique; it is an art form that, like painting or sculpture, requires skill and practice to capture reality through a lens. He emphasizes its power to connect directly and objectively with viewers. And it is precisely this ability to connect that makes photography, for him, a powerful tool to communicate the importance of conservation–fostering care and emotional bonds through striking images of landscapes and animals.

Though his lens often turns to wildlife and landscapes, Nathan has a special affinity for black-and-white photography, particularly for street scenes and landscapes. He draws inspiration from the work of Ansel Adams and Michael C.

Lam, a local legend. His black-and-white imagery is characterized by sharpness and high contrast–qualities that make his style unmistakable.

His talent has been recognized in numerous local exhibitions, both private and public. His work has appeared multiple times at the prestigious Castellani House and is currently on display in Guyana’s State House and the British Embassy, through a private organization.

At present, he is working on a series of postcards that showcase the unparalleled beauty of his country. He still hopes to capture the elusive Jaguar with his lens–his “white whale,” as it is for many South American wildlife photographers, given its rarity and elusive nature. While he has no immediate expeditions or projects planned, his sights are set on the Kanashen Amerindian Protected Area, a vast and remote territory whose exploration he awaits with great anticipation.

Patience–an essential virtue in wildlife photography–resonates deeply in one of his most memorable stories.

Recalling his attempt to capture the beauty of hummingbirds at the Atta Rainforest Lodge, Chinapen says: “I borrowed a stool from the lodge and sat in the blazing midday sun for over 3 hours, waiting for a single White-Chinned Sapphire to fly to the flowers.

My wait paid off, and I managed to get the shot from below (page 42).”

Yet nature has also taught him that its most precious gifts often arrive unexpectedly. He vividly remembers one magical moment in 2023: returning from a University of Guyana Ornithology field trip, frustrated at not having captured the images he hoped for, a Harpy Eagle–elusive and majestic–suddenly crossed the trail and perched near his vehicle, becoming the subject of what may be one of his most unforgettable photographs.

Through the lens of his camera, nature has shown him that it rewards those who take the time to watch and appreciate it. “If you take the time to slow down, sharpen your senses, and–crucially–lift your eyes from the camera once in a while just to look, you’ll be rewarded with astonishing encounters,” he concludes. 

Nathan Chinapen
(+592) 609 7438
@natechinapen.photo
natechinapen19@gmail.com