Kissing On Reforma Av.
This couple kissing on the street proves they have no shame --not that they should be-- over their expression of emotion towards each other. Yet as a a photographer capturing such moments I cannot help but sometimes wonder if the public nature of the act gives me any right to photograph it. The "guilt" loses its traction as I rest on why I took the image. As time runs along a single direction, this moment simply celebrates a solitary event in the human history shared between these two souls.
Blow
One of my initial images circa 2006. I had asked him to pose for the shot; instead, he began to blow into the crucible. When I first came to Mexico, and until recently, you could find these shaman all over the city's largest municipal square -- El Zocalo. I speculate a recent policy move by the federal district authorities has kept them from operating in the area; It has been a while since I've witnessed any shaman executing their alternate medicinal practices at the Zocalo. Instead they have been dispersed to other parts of the downtown area and in dwindling numbers.
Contemplando
As a microbus passed by near Las Bombas and Cafetales in Coyoacan, Mexico City.
Digital Kills The Analog Stars
Back in 2006 you could still run into photographers in some parts of Mexico City who made a living making images of folks in "touristy" areas. The ubiquity of digital sent most of them into early retirement.
Tengo miedo...
Seen in Parque De Los Venados, Mexico City circa 2007. The quotes on the cardboard read: "I am afraid of losing my job and being broke "; I am afraid of not finding a partner and having no children"; "I am afraid that if my father dies I will have to face life alone."
Doble Limpia
Shamanismo en el Zocalo del D.F.
A shaman performs a spiritual cleansing while a city municipal worker proceeds with his on a more familiar plain.
Saying hello to a friend...
While on one of my usual Saturday walks in downtown, Mexico City.
An Organillero friend along Madero Av. where you'll be sure to find him almost on any given day of the week.
Urban Angel
Rear view of a street performer's wings and hand. Some say this subject matter is easy for street photography, but then again I am not a street photographer, just a dude who likes photography and sometimes takes photos on the street.
Seen in downtown, Mexico City.
No...
He was not confrontational, but the incident illustrates the nature of street performers in Mexico City where most insist on not being photographed unless you pay money in return.
Some togs out there will insist these folks are not fair game as street photography goes because they are easy subject matter. My experience has proven otherwise. Some even point lasers at cameras to destroy the digital sensor.
Moments before he gestured photos were not allowed. He caught me as the camera was being lowered.
August Splash
Playing and getting soaked at the Monumento A La Revolución in Mexico City.
Jugando y mojandose en la fuente ubicada en el Monumento A La Revolución Méxicana.
The summer heat has decided to come back with force since mid July of this year; it had been fairly, and unusually cool, until then. Above is an image that had been "incubating" on my hard drive since August of last year. Wow August, that's eight months into 2015 with the fall just around the corner. Enjoy what's left of the summer, folks.
Hugo & Ignacio
I took a long stroll downtown last Saturday with nothing in particular in mind to photograph. Quite frankly, there was a lot more more aimless wondering than actual shooting, but it felt good to simply go with the flow and not burden myself with the obligation to come home with "the shot". I've discovered this allows me to be more aware of what is going on around me while ensuring I don't miss more meaningful moments.
Anyhow, I was walking from a leather shop when I noticed Hugo (on the left) with an instant Polaroid camera pointed across the street. This got me curious so I approached him and his friend Ignacio (to the right) asking what they were up to. Hugo enthusiastically explained that they were visiting from Monterrey to give a photography workshop the following day.
Further into the conversation both Hugo and Ignacio showed me their work on Instagram and Flickr --I was very impressed and inspired. Both are professional photographers with exceptional body of work. Hugo also operates a Lomography embassy store in Monterrey. You can see links to Hugo's work here and Ignacio's work here.
La Banda
This image made in April of 2013 exemplifies some of the reasons I enjoy street portraiture. Regular candid street shooting involves no connection or involvement with the people being photographed. In a strict sense, it's almost --or well could be-- defined as exploitative, but this is obviously debatable and I won't get into a senseless discussion on the subject here. There are, however, street tog purists who will outright reject any photography that involves posing individuals. The claim is the photography lacks authenticity. I would rather not be called a street photographer if I am to be bound to certain rules that will keep me from enjoying something I do greatly: connecting, understanding, and getting to know others while following my passion for photography
Corner Shot
Here's an image from circa 2006 when I first delved into the use of an ultra wide lens (Sigma 10-20mm). Around 2013 I started to experiment more with other focal lengths: 24mm, 28mm, and 35mm. Yet 15mm is pretty much how my mind likes to see the world: wide and inclusive as to not lose context. It sort of reflects my obsession with drawing meaning about a fact or piece of information from the environment in which it is found. I had backed away from using the wide for fear it was becoming a gimmick and not allowing me to grow my vision. The aforementioned concern disappeared upon realizing that photographic vision is nothing less than how we perceive the world and how we choose to convey that which our mind's eye sees.
