I know that what I am going to write about is not Street related at all, but definitively is something to write about, and something I really enjoyed, because, first of all, as Gary Winogrand said, I am a Photographer.
As there are recipes for disaster, also are some for success, and it comes to those who are looking, waiting as a tiger in the jungle gazing its victim. This combination of factors does not came everyday. So, you have to be as sharp as possible.
Three weeks ago a cousin of my wife invited us to eat at his house, he lives in Queretaro (around 120 miles north of Mexico City), we went gladly and stayed for the weekend. the reunion was at the poolside of the club house that his condominium has. The weather was great, so the kids dive in the pool, while adults were zipping beer (that would be me, drinking some gorgeous Guinness).
As time came by, lunch hour arrived, so you could imagine that taking out 6 kids from the pool was a big trouble. Once out, the smallest of them all, changed into more formal attire, grabbed his food and went by his business. As I saw all that, had to get up and start shooting, I felt something was going to happen.
Before I go on, I have to state here that kids are marvelous, they do the most incredible things, the most amazing things, they have some ideas that light the life of the world. The innocence that kids have is one of the most important factors for the evolution of humanity. Kids Rule!!!
So, as this kid went on, on his solitude to eat, I started following him and made some shots, he continued walking and found place atop a small bridge by the pool. He sat and started eating, gazing at the kids that were smart enough to stay at the pool.
Grabbed my Nikon F100 that was carrying a 50mm 1.8 lens (as I usually do I with that camera) and walked up to the water bridge. He stared at me and started doing his business, and what was my surprise! He started picking his nose and believe me when I tell you that he was enjoying it.
The snot that came out of his nose was huge, and yes, sticky, he showed it to me, tried to make a little ball from it and it finished, as you could imagine, inside his mouth. Yikes!!!! He did it, he enjoyed it, he had the most fun, and you know something, I also did.
Yes, try to enjoy life as kids do, remember something, KIDS RULE!!!
This past Sunday I finally decided to open the bottles, crack the film cases and start developing them in my house. The last time I did this was like 10 years ago. Man, I am in love again!!! It really is magic. An incredible way to see the way a photographer sees the world and in this case, I am that photographer.
I have said this in the past, I am an old school photographer, I learned with film, ISOs and developing chemicals. The smell of a darkroom is so unique that when you smell it again after so long, well is like smelling roses. My experience last Sunday was breathtaking.
For this incredible experience I had to “take out the mattresses” and also the books and my past notes, browse on the web and see some videos in YouTube and Vimeo. I did not wanted to fail and void my films. I also want to remark, as previously noted, that I love film and do preferred it from Digital, but do not denay the benefits from Digital.
I did not had all the needed chemicals, I was missing the Stop Bath, but thanks to the holy web! I found in several blogs and sites, the perfect substitution for the Stop Bath. I used water, that is correct, water, rinsed it several times and it did its job, it stopped the developer.
What I have gained from this “experiment”, as my youngest son told me when he saw all the bottles and mixing in the bathroom, is that I will continue with this process, that way I can and will do several developing experiments, I could do what ever I want, pushing and pulling developing. I will be in control of my work and needless to say this, the street I see will be more like it.
There is a great photographer who still uses film, and he uses it in the most incredible way possible, he does not do street, he does more Portraiture but his work is amazing. His name is Ryan Muirhead, and he said last week in a posted photograph of his, “This is why I can’t quit film” well Ryan, pardon me for using your same reference and paraphrasing some of it, but I thought the same when I saw my fully developed negatives: THIS IS WHY I LOVE FILM.
One of my images developed at home.
I really have to say, I am really speechless. The past week was the first show of the collective that I am a member of. As you might know, Imagenes con Causa (ICC) is a collective where a percentage of the sales are donated to a Social Cause. This first event, and probably the others we might do this year will also go to Fundación Cinepolis, which they have made more than 18,000 procedures to people who have cataracts. This time we donated a 40% to the cause.
This show, also has been my first show. It has been the first time that I have shown my work to the general public, not just friends, family, or on-line galleries. This show was to all public and also some press was around. It is hard to talk to the press and to explain, in plain spanish, why I do what I do, and also to hear, and sometimes accept, the critics from unknown folk. It was an incredible experience.
I am really grateful to the people who went to the show and also to all the people who could not arrive. Thanks for the ones that did arrived because the response was amazing. They showed us that our path, as a collective, is starting in the right way, that the work that we do as photographers is admired, and that is the best thing that we, at least I, can hear. The words that I received from my work (sorry I do not speak here for the 13th of us, but this ones I heard them from mine) were so full of sincere truth that they did not matter if were good or bad.
I feel like I am flying, but this is the start of this incredible collective. A collective that is completely eclectic, you could find from Streetphotography/Documental, Travel, Abstract, to Deep sea, Fantastic and Mobile photography. A collective that all of its members work as one trying to fulfill their place in this world by using what they are good at in order to help the most needed.
This past Friday was the cocktail of the show, and there were sold 8 photographs, this means that with the proceeds we can donate, thanks to the people who bought the photos, money so that almost 4 people can be treated of this terrible disease and open their eyes and see colors or see the sun, or the moon, or their son, or their parents, or their grandsons, or that they could go to school, or drive, or dive and shoot like Carlos Cespedes, our underwater photographer. This four people life has been change with this event.
This could not have been a success if some people did not put their souls in to it, and they are part of the ICC Collective. Special thanks to Yvonne Ring, you really worked so hard to get everything in place. She is our Graphic Designer.
So to finish I specially want to thank the ICC team; thanks to Samuel Garcia Cuellar, Fernando Olea, Valeria Contreras, Yvonne Ring, Fernanda Chandler, Begoña Gonzalez, Alejandro Rojo, Patricia Hirshfeld, Rafa Torre, Santiago Kuribreña, Carlos Cespedes and Lizardi Saucedo, and also thanks to Lore Guille (of Fundacion Cinepolis), for letting me be part of this incredible place.
TEAM, lest go for more shows, let’s go for more money so more people could get this procedure.
First of anything an apology, I know it has been a while since my last post, but things were a little hectic the last three weeks.
None the less, here I am, really hyped. This Wednesday will be the first day on the Photo show of the collective where I am part of, Imagenes con Causa (www.imagenesconcausa.com).
Its main objective is to, through the sales of our photos, donate some of the proceeds to some social causes, this time is to Fundación Cinepolis.
We all, thirteen photographers are very exited as almost eight months of preparation are coming to see its gains.
From Wednesday April 17th, to Saturday April 20th at Galeria Ethra (Londres 54) all our work will be up for sale and also in our web site you could see some more work.
Thanks to Alejandro Rojo and Fernando Olea, Members of ICC, for sharing this snaps of the mounting at the Galerie.
From my iPhone
As you might have notice, I Love Photography, hell this is my photography site, where I show everybody my passion, the reason why I keep going on in this life, as I like it.
You also might have noticed, I love STREETPHOTOGRAPHY, that is no secret, hence the name of my page “La Calle Foto” ( which can be translated in “The Street Photo”).
Well, I have been making photos since a long time, also, one of my hardest things in photography is Portraiture, I love it, but for me is hard.
Walking the streets of Mexico City, around the places I currently work, I have found an old Photo studio, circa 1975, called Estudio Marin.
They are a fabulous place. It is out dated, they still manage old view cameras and old, well not so old lighting equipment (give them that) and the people that attend the customers are also, well, old.
I am now eating in front of, this owner of a past glory place, Estudio Marin (Photo-Studio Marin), and just what I found painted in its wall just blew me away. A slogan that I would love to make it my own and print it always I’m my life.
So all of us,”StreetPhotographers”, as we go by in the streets of the world, have to remember what the “Estudio Marin” say: “We love to portrait the people of the world”.
Love the people, live the street, love your work; allwill come by and excel.
This is the second installment of the Most Iconic series, this time with the words and Images of Patricia Hirschfeld an avid mobile photographer, minimalist and inspiring artist. But let her tell us her story.
Name: Patricia Hirschfeld
Image Name: Patricia
Photo Equipment used with this image: iPhone 4.
Why is that you consider this to be your Most Iconic image?: When I started to experiment with mobile photography this image was the one that flourished with the style that I currently exploit, the one that set the trend in my work. This style boost minimalism and is in search of highlight my the object photographed, regarding size.
Regarding this image, did you thought it, analyze the scene before pressing the shutter or it just popped up?: It just appeared, it popped up, I was taking care of the kid at the pool and it, puff, appeared.
What was your creative process or what was in your mind when this was made?: As it just presented to me, I just had time to imagine and abstract the shot from a birds eye point of view.
Do you previously think the images, have a previous project? About this one, do you elaborate it on-the-go or have previously outlined the rules for it?: As a general rule, spontaneity is my name of the game, and as they come to my eyes and winks at me the scene I just shoot it.
Which is the most that you like, Black and White or Color? Why?: I do prefer and stick by the Black and White or two tone, it is a nostalgic thing and brings good feelings about that time when all was black and white. In my abstract view/style, it take out information that most of the times bothers the view, the story I want to tell and leaves the most important part of my work.
Do you use Photoshop/Lightroom/Aperture/Snapseed or another photographic manipulation software?: Yes I do make a lot of modifications and usually I use Snapseed at my phone. With this one I get the amount of contrast, tonality and crop as I please and which I am looking.
This is Patricia Hirschfeld Most Iconic Image, for more work from her, you could try Patricia at ICC
She also recommends us some mobile photographers like:
To start with this post I want to announce that after my first six posts in Spanish, and due to several comments of my Social Media followers, I decided to post in English. I have more than half of my followers that are foreign, and non-Spanish speaking, so for them and taking in consideration that English is the global language (and please I said global not the most spoken language) and must of us understand it, I will make this change. Hope that I do not make an ass of myself and write the most clear way as I know.
Being said that, lets start business.
Most Iconic. This is a series of posts I will start as of now, and will be done in an interview mode, a few questions to a photographer about why he or she consider that the image we are talking about is his/hers Most Iconic one. This series will start with all the 13 members that are part of the Imágenes con Causa Collective (Images with a Cause), which I am proudly part of. Hopefully this series will grow to more photographers and not just the 13 ICC members. If you would like to be part of this series or know a photographer that you consider to be part of it, by all means please contact me and will post him or her here.
I will start with me, why? well It is the easiest way to start this series, may be not the most correct one, but here I go.
Name: Gustavo Mondragón
Image Name: Iron Horse
Photo Equipment used with this image: Nikon D3000.
Why is that you consider this to be your Most Iconic image?: Before this image was made, I was away from photography like for 5 or 6 year, just shooting family and friends and in a non serious way. I grabbed my equipment again, looking at the street wanting to go out and grab light. This was my first good shot after a road of frustration trying to find myself again in the streets, making peace with photography. This one I shoot it in San Miguel de Allende as part of the 2011 Scott Kelby´s World Wide Photo Walk.
Regarding this image, did you thought it, analyze the scene before pressing the shutter or it just popped up?: Well this one was at the end of the Walk, after some well deserved beers and a good lunch, heading back to the car, I saw this guy arriving with the street vendor and there he was like waiting for me. So I passed by him, camera in hand, shooting from the hip, he was an excellent character, when he realized I shoot him, then he posed for one more shot.
What was your creative process or what was in your mind when this was made?: Well, as I stated earlier, I was finishing the Photo Walk, so I think that I was in-tune/in-sync with the street, so my process was expeditious, and swift, saw him, focus, press shutter. Done. What I really want to point out here is that things appear easily when we practice, practice and practice, that is why for me, that I love the street, getting out is paramount.
Do you previously think the images, have a previous project? About this one, do you elaborate it on-the-go or have previously outlined the rules for it?: Probably Eric Kim will tell me I am wrong but I usually go out to the street looking for an image, I understand that it is not the best way, specially if you are starting as a Streetphotographer, for my come back to the streets it might have been good if I thought a project and then, see the street in a better way, but I chosen not to do so. Currently I am developing a project and it has been easier, Bikers Way. Also, Thomas Leuthard talks about the importance of a photo project.
Which is the most that you like, Black and White or Color? Why?: I crave Black and White, for me is the only way the street has to be, it is and it will always be. I still shoot film Ilford HP5+, pure Black and white. But I am not an intransigent person and I am starting to experiment color in the street. We have to move, to evolve as humans, we cannot be static, so color, here I go. It is not easy.
Do you use Photoshop/Lightroom/Aperture/Snapseed or another photographic manipulation software?: As almost all of my final images are Black and White and I shoot 90% of the time in RAW I use Photoshop, to manipulate Raw and for my B/W images mostly I use SiverEfex Pro 2. For color, after RAW manipulation I use Snapseed.
So, this is the format I will use for the Most Iconic Series, hope you enjoy it and if have any comment please feel free to post it.
Se dice fotógrafo, pero odia términos como “Streetphotographer” o “Streetphotography” los llama tontos y vacíos, pero aún así, nosotros en la actualidad lo tenemos catalogado como de los grandes del “Streetphotographers”.
Gary Winogrand, nos enseña que es una persona la cual vive enteramente para la fotografía, sin ella el no podría existir. Toma fotografías por el placer de llenar su alma, su vida, trabajo tanto en las calles que hubo imágenes que no pudo llegar a ver reveladas. Para él la diferencia entre una escena y posteriormente, una impresión viva a una muerta es el contexto y la forma, sin esta tensión dentro de la imágen no podria haber algo llamativo dentro de la fotografía. Para él el arte es Banal y un artista es completamente llamado a la banalidad, pero eso no puede alejarlo de la tensión para que su propuesta llame y este viva.
Siempre, un fotógrafo debe de ser su mas fuerte e intransigente crítico, sin esto todo el trabajo estaría muerto, no tendría vida, la tensión de la imagen debe de empezar de uno mismo.
Esta catalogado que en su vida como fotógrafo, él murió a los 56 años, Winogrand realizó al menos 1 millón de fotografías, lo que equivale a tomar diario 77 imágenes, poco más de 2 rollos diarios.
Aqui dos ligas mas del trabajo de y sobre nuestro fotógrafo de hoy.
Masters of Photography, Garry Winograd
Eric Kim, uno de los jóvenes “Streetphotographers” mas reconocidos actualmente escribió en su Blog un excelente trabajo sobre Garry, aquí la liga: Eric on Garry Winogrand
Kodachrome 1935 – 2010
Steve McCurry tiene el honor de fotografiar el último rollo producido de Kodachrome 64 en la historia. De este viaje que empieza en Nueva York, pasa por India y termina en Arkansas, salen las increíbles imágenes que este, para mi, uno de los mejores fotoperiodistas de la historia tomó e hizo ya de por si, icónicas.
Nos habla en este cortometraje algo de su historia fotográfica, pero sobre todo nos dice lo que significó este hito fotográfico para él:
- “Tengo mas de ochocientas mil diapositivas, la gran mayoría son de Kodachrome, probablemente es la mejor película que se haya fabricado.”
- “Cuando me enteré de que sería deescontinuado, quise tener el último capítulo del libro en mis manos, lo quería para mi, por mi corazón y por mi mente.”
Nos habla que inicialmente pensó en Nueva York como el mejor lugar para hacer las últimas imágenes de esta película, el es Nuyeorkino y nunca salió a caminar su ciudad con la intención que lleva ahora, nunca se imagino lo difícil que sería hacer 36 imágenes de esta icónica película, que da la casualidad que es la última en producción.
Su deambular le da la nada, no hay cosa que lo cautive, entonces piensa en gente, retratos y a única persona disponible es Robert DeNiro, el cual solo le da 30 minutos para la sesión. Satisfecho con este primer ejercicio decide que serían retratos, y también toma la decisión de hacerlo en el lugar donde todo empezó para él, el lugar que lo ha cautivado siempre: India.
- “Kodachrome requiere una exposición perfecta, así que toda la medición debe de ser justo en el blanco, debemos de ser consientes de cualquier ligero movimiento, de cualquier parpadeo”
Abajo puedes ver el video de la historia hecha por National Geographic, de este extraordinario y a su vez triste viaje. McCurry nos habla de muchas cosas en este documental de casi 30 minutos, algunas se las platicaré a continuación, pero para mi, un amante de la fotografía en película, me quedo con la que es la mejor: “Acabo de decidir que voy a dejar a un lado la fotografía digital y retomaré la fotografía con Kodachrome.”
Esta es una liga a las fotografías tomadas por él, del último rollo de Kodachrome 64.
Una de las cosas que venimos a hacer, este fin de semana a Querétaro, es ir al Parque Bicentenario al Sexto Festival de las Comunidades Extranjeras. Esta es mi primera vez en este evento, pero me han comentado que es muy bueno.
El Parque Bicentenario si lo conozco, es un lugar bastante amplio y completamente soleado, no existe sombra alguna, esta totalmente desprovisto de árboles para que nos tape de los inclementes rayos del sol. Existen algunas lonas donde poder descansar y zonas de comida también techadas, fuera de eso, Sol todo Sol.
Así qué estoy pensando que cámara o cámaras me voy a llevar mañana.
Traigo conmigo tres opciones, la de todos los días en mi deambular por Reforma, la Lumix G3 con el 14mm f 2.5, también se juntó la inseparable Nikon F100 con el 50mm F1.8 y por no dejar y para tratar de estar lo más invisible posible traje la Canonet 17QL GIII.
Para las dos últimas traje TriX e Ilford PanF.
Así qué creo que por las condiciones climatológicas que imperan este fin de semana, me voy a llevar la Lumix, ya que por ser digital, tengo mayores opciones de mover ISO y como el lente es un poco rápido (2.8) pues las opciones varían.
Aparte creo que como va a ser la tónica del evento, un auto focos me puede ayudar mucho, la Canonet es completamente manual y todavía no la domino.
Pondré fotografías de este evento aquí en el Blog y las comentaremos.
Buen Sábado.
From my iPhone
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