Veteran media photographer Rattan Jadoo has died. He passed away on Monday after some time of illness. He was 60 years old.
Jadoo spent about 13 years at the Trinidad Guardian before joining Newsday in 1993. He spent over 25 years at Newsday before retiring.
According to the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT), Jadoo was considered one of the best media photographers in an era that included other veterans such as Rudy Arthur Taylor, Noel Saldenha, Max Lai Leung and Maurice Brown.
“He was skilled not only in photography itself, but also in printing pictures as a lab technician, in those film days,” MATT said.
“He covered Parliament extensively but is best remembered for an iconic photo of the late Archbishop Anthony Pantin chatting with a homeless man outside the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
“He covered T&T’s first and only appearance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and was a regular at football, cricket and other sports around the country.”
Jadoo was fondly remembered by his colleagues. Express photo editor Robert Taylor said he had known Jadoo for about 29 years.
“I remember how intimidated I felt when, following my first Intercol match as a photographer – walking along the track at the Hasely Crawford Stadium – noticing two men for whom I had the utmost respect – Sally (Noel Saldenha) and Rattan, then and still. , icons of sports photography,” said Taylor.
“The picture that sticks in my mind when I first got serious about the profession was the Rattan-winning picture of Gus Logie taking a catch from forward at short leg…
“Like Sally, Rattan had a knack for being relaxed and cheerful while capturing the most important image in assignments. I will always remember his willingness to give advice, his selflessness and the consistent quality of his work.”
Photographer Azlan Mohammed described Rattan as a consummate professional and one of the best news and sports photographers in T&T’s media history.
“Although a fierce editor and photo operator, all he ever wanted for his photographers was the best pictures of the day for the newspaper pages,” Mohammed said.
“His life’s work stands as a standard for journalism in Trinidad and Tobago.”
CNC3 executive producer Sampson Nanton said Jadoo was an exemplary photographer.
“Even though he already had several years of journalism under his belt, he was always excited about getting that exclusive photo, always a passion for the job.
“I remember when a photographer came back from shooting a ship and the picture was 90 percent sea and ten percent ship, Rattan asked him if he knew what the camera zoom was for and turned to get it.
He also fought all day, even after the poor guy got a better shot.
He was all about high quality and he practiced what he preached. Rest in peace.”
Writer and photographer Mark Lyndersay also remembered Jadoo fondly, saying he built a powerful photography team at Newsday. “I never doubted that his approach was always in the service of looking the best possible, and that always made working with him so much easier,” said Lyndersay.
Jadoo’s funeral will be held tomorrow at Fifth Street, New Settlement, Dow Village, California and then proceed to Waterloo Crematorium for last rites.
