Coffee in BBI Fashion
Thanks to our friends The Photologists, we now have our very own coffee mugs. Get yours now if you want to be cool…or hot.
Click on the Mug shots to order yours.
Wandering at Home in Guadalajara
” I want to say thanks to Emilio Banuelos and Elena Carrasco for their strong leadership and support over these past two grueling days. From your fan and friend: Thanks” – Suzanne
Suzanne Mir joined us in Guadalajara to conclude our Wandering in the Company of Strangers project. Thank you Suzanne for all your work and insight. It was great working with you. You really pushed yourself to achieve the goals you set for yourself.
“I am still thinking about how I am going to gain the confidence of perfect strangers. How do I get them to let me take their picture and not swear at me after? Or for that matter, how do get them to not hide their faces? It has happened.”
“I am returning to San Miguel de Allende satisfied, tired, elated and more confident.” -Suzanne
Introductions/Introducciones- Noemi Flores- Zepeda
I introduce Noemi Flores-Zepeda
Guadalajara 2008
Hablame sobre tus temas fotograficas.
Me encanta contemplar los paisajes darme un tiempo para admirar y descubrir esas pequeñas formas luces, sombras , texturas que están a mi alrededor y pasan inadvertidas, por el tan acelerado ritmo de vida que tenemos.
Con gran regularidad salgo de viaje y el observar el paisaje tan hermoso que tenemos a nuestro alrededor. Es placentero, simplemente levantar la vista y fundirte con esos colores azules, hermosos con esas nubes blancas que se expresen suavemente dibujando diversos personajes.
El poder captar con mi cámara esos sublimes paisajes con los que todavía contamos dentro y fuera de la ciudad. Tomo mucho fotografías de conciertos es alucinante. Me encanta ver esos cambios de luces y la fuerza que cada uno de los involucrados usa de diferente manera para transmitir su arte.
Esos estados de animo de la gente, el actuar de cada una en escenarios diversos, el poder crear fotografías con cargas de emociones diferentes, es una descarga de adrenalina padrísima.
Cuando empesaste to carrera y porque el interes?
Comenzó mi interés en forma en la universidad. Dado que quería ganar dinero inicie tomando fotos en diferentes lugares de fiestas infantiles y poco a poco me fue surgiendo el interés a raíz de descubrir como en la película se iba deslumbrando poco a poco lo que yo horas antes había tomado. Es una sensación padrísima. El jugar con las luces, con la exposición, el que tu tienes el control de la toma fotográfica es increíble.
El poder captar esos pequeños bellos momentos de la vida y compartirlos con los demas.
En que te enfocas el año 2010?
En seguir creciendo en la técnica y pues me gustaría salir a difundir las imágenes de México, nuestra gente, cultura, costumbre, paisajes, etc., por el mundo.
Hablame sobre tu experenciaen el taller BBI Guadalajara, Mexico 2008
Mi primer contacto con Black Boots Ink 2008 fue muy interesante. Me enseñaron a enfrentarme con lo que visualmente no observamos con detenimiento porque ya pasa a ser algo común y no lo registramos como autentico o interesante. En el analizar mi entorno visual, y de ahí crear una imagen representativa de el entorno o el momento.
Wandering in Los Angeles
Thank you LA for making this project a success.
It was great working with you. As first time visitors to the city of Angels, we were not sure what we would find. The streets welcomed and challenged us to find our portrait of downtown.
It was an incredible experience!
LOS ANGELES PARTICIPANTS:
Dana Barsuhn, Los Angeles | Kevin Cortez, San Francisco | Sebastian Gladstone, Los Angeles
The images made in Los Angeles were a sincere reflection of downtown Los Angeles. Thank you for all your work, many hours of walking and great company.
Thank you Tony D for hosting us in your amazing studio at The Brewery.
“I’m excited by what I see. The work from the second half of the day demonstrates that they took our critiques yesterday morning and have run with them. There is an immediacy to the images, a bravery about them. As the images flash on the screen, I see the transformation.” Ibarionex Perello
We have added LA to the Mission, maybe you can make it out before it disappears. See you in Mexico!
Join us!
The International Artist Collaborative: Guadalajara June 5 – 12, 2010
Black Boots Ink at the San Francisco Exposure Gallery
We don’t have the words to express our gratitude for all your support.
It was great to see friends, family and new faces at the exhibition. Thank you San Francisco Exposure Gallery, Karna Kurata, Ariel Zambelich for the opportunity. Thank you all for making it through the rain to join us.
Thank you Jose Loera for documenting the Exhibition
http://loeraphotography.blogspot.com/
Participants: Nancy Ahn, Jennifer Ahn, Emilio Banuelos, Elena Carrasco, Alexcia DeVasquez, Sebastian Gladstone, Aimee Guymon, Ibarionex Perello, Victor Prieto, Unnikrishnan Raveendranathan, Theo Slavin thank you for making this an amazing exhibition.
If you missed the reception/artist talk you can visit the gallery Feb 4-March 27, 2010
The Exposure gallery is the site of a monthly “PhotoNight”, usually held on the second Thursday of every month. PhotoNights are sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Area Press Photographers Association. PhotoNight founder Jessica Lifland (jblif@sbcglobal.net) has produced more than 40 events at Exposure Gallery with guest speakers ranging from rock photography legend Jim Marshall to Pulitzer Prize and Robert Capa Award winner Carolyn Cole to Photoshop guru Russell Brown and Bay Area documentary photographer Michelle Vignes.
The Exposure Gallery is located at: 
801 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA
They are always looking for creative and energized individuals to help manage the gallery.
For more information, please contact Co-Directors Karna Kurata and Ariel Zambelich at:
info [at] exposuregallery
We are finishing up the details and getting ready for a three day road trip to Mexico, where we will be closing the Wandering in the Company of Strangers project.
Public Art Installation in the Mission District
Returning images of the Public to the Public
The goal of the Wandering workshop is to use images as introductions, as conversations, to speak to the people who are in the images.
We are interested in returning the images of the street to the street. On January 27th, images from Guadalajara, and San Francisco were posted on a wall fronting the jail cells of the former Mission Police Station. The wall is dedicated to freedom of speech by the (de)Appropriation Project . Poetry and images from Los Angeles and Mexico will be added later, to continue the dialogue.
The Mural is on 24th Street and Valencia in San Francisco’s Mission District, at 1240 Valencia.
We hope you can make time to see the work on the street. The images will only be up as long as the weather and neighborhood allow.
Great Work in San Francisco
Thank you all for working with us in San Francisco.
“What did I learn? There is a really nice group of photographers out there. Don’t cut off body limbs. Think – what do I want to say? I must make the images my own. Be authentic to yourself. Photograph the reaction not the action. Think in metaphors. If I see a place that says to me I need to make a picture. Stay there, sit and wait…We’ll be at the wall on Valencia and 23rd putting up our images of San Francisco. These images are for the People.“ – Carla SaundersEmilio Bañuelos | Dick Beery | Elena Carrasco | Zulema Carrasco | Michael J. Costa | Brad Evans | Francisco Graciano | Rory Hejtmanek | Susan Hobbs | Cass Kissam | Karla Louie | Carl Mogerley | Thomas Murphy | Ibarionex Perello | Unnikrishnan Raveendranathan | John Rickard | Carla Saunders | Theo Slavin | Amanda Smith | RK Stephenson | Karla Tarin | Martin Taylor | Patti Taylor | Rosella Tibig | Rikki Ward
Thank you for your hard work. It was a pleasure to work with you. We would like to share some thoughts about the workshop.
“…it was exhausting and exhilarating and AMAZING. If you’ve ever hit a wall in your photography it’s a great idea to shake it up and take a workshop specializing in something different enough to challenge your photographic view.” - Patti Taylor
“the diversity that the attendees would bring to the table from young under-graduates from the Academy of Art to a retiree traveling in from Ohio … Despite of our differences the group quickly gelled through a couple of exercises, chatting and our common love of photography.” - Martin Taylor
“…to have opportunity to sit down with both Emilio and then Ibarionex for a goodly amount of time each going through my images, to talk about both the photographic process and editing choices. This may have been the most impactful time for me of the whole workshop.” – Martin Taylor
“I learned new skills, was made aware of some bad habits, and overall am more confident about taking my urban photography and street portraiture to a higher level. I also met and was inspired by many very talented photographers.” – Brad Evans.
“San Francisco was both exhilarating and exhausting. Though I wasn’t able to spend a lot of time making my own work, it was incredibly satisfying to help facilitate the work of others, especially when I saw so many breakthroughs happen.” - Ibarionex Perello
Wandering in Los Angeles
We are excited to continue our Wandering in Los Angeles with such great photographers.
LOS ANGELES PARTICIPANTS:
Dana Barsuhn, Los Angeles | Kevin Cortez, San Francisco | Sebastian Gladstone, Los Angeles
Please join us on Sunday Jan. 31 at 7:00pm for the exhibition of their work. The Brewery, 616 S. Avenue 21, in Downtown Los Angeles.
Below is a google map that shows the location.
near the intersection of Main Street and Avenue 21, right off the 5 Freeway. The studio is located at the top floor of the main building.
The entry door has a diamond shape chemical sign with the letter A on it. You take 5 flights up to enter the studio. There are no elevators available.
Introductions/Introducciones- Aimee Guymon
I introduce
Aimee Guymon
What have you been working on this past year?
This last year has been amazingly hectic, but there are two things that stand out the most. One was teaching photography to a class of incredibly rambunctious kids that live on the Native American reservation I was doing a photo essay on. Getting to see a group of humans fall in love with photography was so cool. I swear they taught me more then I taught them. Second was being invited to the Missouri Photo Workshop. The most intense, sleep deprived, food deprived, fantastic week. It doesn’t get better then being grilled and hounded about your photos by your idols. Of course the story I did there was about a young dairy farmer. I stepped in cow s*** the very first day and literally was so busy, I couldn’t find 15 minutes the whole week to take a shower. So yeah, smelling like cow manure for days was the highlight of my year.
What subject matter are you most drawn to and why?
I’m really attracted to social justice issues. Specifically what is happening in my own backyard of the U.S. Yes, horrific things are happening in underdeveloped countries but there are so many appalling issues here as well that are overlooked and need to be brought to awareness. I do it because it needs to be done, these stories need to be told. And I love being a visual storyteller! 
What did you learn from working with photographers in Guadalajara, Mexico?
The experience of Guadalajara was beautiful and getting to see the different approaches other photographers had, was really beneficial to my own process. For me the best thing about Guadalajara was the people that lived there. They were so friendly and easy to connect with. People just kept inviting me into their homes. One of the best meals I’ve had my whole life was a bowl of lentils, in this woman’s house I met 10 minutes prior to that and sitting mostly in silence with her because of our language barrier.
What happens next?
I’ve been moving more and more into multimedia within the past six months. I’m beginning to work with not for profit agencies and building PSA’s for their websites to highlight the work they are doing.
I graduate this fall. Graduation! Finally. Then I’m packing up the truck with CF cards and an air mattress and letting my little heart take me where ever it wants to go for however long it wants to go. New towns to discover and lots of strangers to meet!
Wandering Participants in San Francisco
We are looking forward to working with a great group of photographers in San Francisco.
We invite you to meet the participants.
Join us at 1122 Polk St. on January 24, 2010 at 7:00pm.
Wandering in the Company of Strangers – San Francisco Participants:
Dick Beery, Shreve | Zulema Carrasco, Stockton | Michael J. Costa, San Francisco | Brad Evans, San Francisco | Francisco Graciano, San Jose | Rory Hejtmanek, San Francisco | Susan Hobbs, Cupertino | Cass Kissam, San Francisco | Karla Louie, San Francisco | Carl Mogerley, San Francisco | Thomas Murphy, Brooklyn | John Rickard, Weed | Carla Saunders, San Francisco | Theo Slavin, San Francisco | Amanda Smith, San Francisco | RK Stephenson, Mesa | Martin Taylor, San Francisco | Patti Taylor, San Francisco | Rosella Tibig, San Francisco | Rikki Ward, San Francisco
Black Boots Ink Team: Elena Carrasco, Guadalajara | Aimee Guymon, Berkeley | Unni Raveendranathan, San Francisco | Jennifer Ahn, San Jose | Nancy Ahn, San Jose
Introductions/Introducciones- Marshall
I introduce you to Marshall
¿Qué te llevó a comenzar tu carrera como fotógrafo?
¿El viento? ¿El universo? La verdad es k no fue tan a propósito, por lo menos en el principio. Algunos amigos me pidieron k les ayudara de comenzar un fanzine. Hice lo k faltaba y algunas de esas cosas fue la fotografía. Como muchas personas, comencé con una camarita chiquita. Poco a poco andaba aprendiéndola y hace 4 años decidí dedicar un gran porcentaje de mi energía, tiempo, e esfuerzo haciéndola. Fui músico, me encanta la música y los tokines son algo muy especial, traen una vibra intensa, me encantan, me encantan. Recuerdo leyendo algunos expertos diciendo k este tipo de fotografía era lo más difícil de hacer e eso me latió.
Eres originalmente de Seattle, Washington, ¿por qué el traslado a Guadalajara y como ha sido tu experiencia?
Nací en Sacramento, CA y crecí en el pueblito de Spokane, WA, pero mi licenciatura es de la Universidad de Washington y también viví mucho tiempo allá cuando fui maestro, así k se puede decir k soy de Seattle, si, pero ahora me dicen k soy Tapatío (originario de Guadalajara). Ya tengo muchos años aquí, así k puedo escribir 50.000 palabras sobre mis experiencias… he tenido todo tipo de experiencias aquí, desde lo mejor hasta lo peor. Lo que más me gusta de Guadalajara es la vida nocturna y la escena de música, la cual está muy fuerte. Nunca te falta algo chido para hacer y eso me gusta mucho. Como nací en un pueblo promedio, pues no hubo nada para hacer; aquí nunca tengo ese problema.
Hábleme de tu libro Rock Tapatío ¡En vivo! Imágenes de un Nuevo Siglo.
Pues, te digo primero lo k dice los promos del libro… “Sudor, pasión, movimiento, entrega, energía. Momentos compartidos, momentos secretos. El gran escenario, el gran músico, el gran momento. Marshall te agarra por la mano, te ponga una pulsera acceso total y te meta en el escenario e en los camerinos. Prepárate para un viaje adentro de un mundo inalcanzable para una persona cualquiera. ROCK TAPATIO ¡EN VIVO! Imágenes de un nuevo siglo es el primer e único libro de su tipo en la historia de Jalisco. Las fotos son EN VIVO desde el escenario e incluso hasta los camerinos de los mejores grupos que han tocado aquí en Guadalajara en los últimos años. Son más que 300 imágenes y 250 páginas.”
Y aquí tienen algunas citas sobre el libro: “Rock Tapatío ¡En Vivo! (es) un documento que bien podría calificarse de histórico por el trabajo de inmersión que realizó su creador, Marshall.” Carolina Martínez, periódico MURAL, “Cuando hojeo el libro El rock tapatío ¡en vivo!: Imágenes de un nuevo siglo de Marshall: pienso en la fuerza del testimonio vívido de sus imágenes, de su crónica personal e irrepetible del rock en Guadalajara… la suya es una complicidad abierta con la escena tapatía, de la cual es su testigo más insistente”. Enrique Blanc, periodista, locutor, autor, “Al final de todas las discusiones de un día, lo único que nos queda claro es que el lenguaje de las imágenes es el lenguaje universal. El arte no ha dejado nunca de ser una paráfrasis de las emociones; junto a la pintura, la escultura, el cine y las demás artes visuales y audiovisuales, la fotografía intenta ser un verdadero referente emotivo pero tenemos que reconocer que no hay ninguno que iguale a la música en su capacidad de afectar el interior humano. La música entonces es en muchos casos el generador de las imágenes que nos hacen entendernos a todos, el reto ahora es entenderla a ella, y entenderla a través de la fotografía es el bien-logrado reto de Marshall, que a pesar de lenguajes, nacionalidades, razas, colores y géneros entiende las emociones de la música y entiende las emociones de nuestra música en su mirada, y en un español parco nos dice lo que después en sus fotografías termina por ser el cierre de la discusión sobre cómo se hace la música con el instrumento de la lente.” Ricardo Guzmán, Director Casa Escorza.
¿Siguiras con tu trabajo documentando musica? ¿Que planes tienes para el año que entra?
Me encanta la música y planeo estar conectado con ella por el resto de mi vida. Va haber más publicaciones, como parte de la seria ROCK TAPATÍO !EN VIVO!, pero a diferencia de ROCK TAPATÍO !EN VIVO! IMÁGENES DE UN NUEVO SIGLO, donde todas las fotos fueran tomadas aquí en Jalisco, el próximo libro ROCK TAPATÍO !EN VIVO! DE GIRA, todas las fotos serán tomadas AFUERA de Jalisco. Expusé 11 veces en el 2009 y planeo exponer mucho también en 2010. Todavía hay que vender el libro y eso implica aún más trabajo… ROCK TAPATÍO va a de gira, voy a andar en las unis afuera de Guadalajara, en cada uni estará una semana mi expo, después llegaré con una banda y daré una plática sobre el éxito, hábitos de gente éxitosa, planeación, y la neurosciencia y la felicidad a los universitarios, al fin de la plática la banda tocará. También hay que llevar al cabo la gira por la las prepas de Guadalajara la cual fue pospuesto. Todavía hay que presentar el libro en el DF y Monterrey y Puebla y San Luis Potosi y donde más me invitan…
Introductions/Introducciones Unnikrishnan Ravendranathan
I introduce you to
Unnikrishnan Ravendranathan
also Mexico 2008, Love Politics
What has been your biggest challenge and your biggest success?
I believe making a photograph is a challenge, to watch the play of light, fixing the composition, being in that location at the right moment and to release the shutter on time to capture the perfect moment are some basic challenges in making a remarkable photograph. I am a passionate people photographer, most of the time I take place as a photojournalist and documentarian. One of my biggest challenges has been building trust with my subjects and gaining access to their personal space, more important is to maintain the trust and not to make them uncomfortable while I am in their environment. I try to make them forget the camera. I try to be invisible, like a ghost or like a chameleon that camouflages with the surrounding; it allows me to capture unique, intimate and graceful moments. I really don’t know how to describe my biggest success - I have a great family and an amazing group of friends around me.
What are the differences and similarities working in San Francisco and India?
I have been working in San Francisco for only four years and I see a lot of similarities with India. Both these regions have extreme diversity. People in both India and SF react similarly when I tell them where I come from. However, visiting here for the first time was a complete new experience, more of a culture shock! I learned so much in a very short time. I was introduced to the SF rescue mission – a very professional non-profit organization, that I still have projects with. Working in India is not easy. A lot of strings need to be pulled and you have to have a strong network of people. In San Francisco though, it’s not as difficult and there are a lot more resources. It’s an exciting journey to overcome obstacles in accessibility and finding resources to get to a project. Working with people of different backgrounds is very interesting and I enjoy working in both regions equally.
What was your experience like working as a photographer in Guadalajara, Mexico?
Before I left SF I studied two words: “Gracias” and “Como estas”. When I got to Guadalajara, though I found both useful, but not enough to communicate. Here’s God’s play; I have dark skin and bought a Mexican hat, just to see if I will pass as a Mexican. It worked and everyone was so friendly to me and spoke to me in Spanish, which I didn’t understand a word of. I just smiled and nodded most of the time. As a photographer, I really enjoyed working in Mexico because it was a fresh environment and people were extremely laid back and friendly. I communicated through gestures and hand motions. They were patient and eager to help me out. I was really satisfied with my experience and the photographs that I made in Mexico. It was overall a very productive trip. Looking forward to going back for more projects.
What projects are you working on now?
The most recent project I finished is called the “Green Blood” – I got a hold of four ordinary townspeople who took up butchering as a part time job during the weekends for some extra cash. This project was done when I was in South India last month. I would like to continue this project and would like to go deeper. Most of my projects are dealing with people and culture, so the project can go on forever until the individual or that particular culture dies. I am always Interested in ongoing projects, it keeps me busy and attached to my work-flow.
reachme@unniphotography.com
Introductions/Introducciones- Eric Fullmer
I introduce Eric Fullmer
Tell me about your music series.
I haven’t been involved with music as much as I used to be. I do a lot of nightlife photos now instead of photographing concerts. I’ve been working with a PictureThisCity.com. They get me all the media passes and everything I need to get into bars/clubs and photograph people. It’s a lot of fun. I really want to get back into the concert side though. Fairly recently I shot Great White (the 80’s hair band) and Sheryl Crow. Those were fun but I prefer shooting the little unknown bands. They seem to put a lot more heart into the music and it comes across in the pictures.
What projects will we see in the future from you?
I’ve always got about 20 projects in mind but can never really finish any. I’m talking to a food bank right now about doing some work for them. They are struggling to stay a float. They are being run out by the bigger food banks. A lot of the other projects I’ve had in mind have been put on delay. They all require traveling and now I’m a family man. I just recently got married and have a 4-year-old son. I can’t imagine being away from them as long as these projects would take. The one that I really want to do still is travel to Mexico and photograph the little town where my wife’s step dad is from. We were supposed to go with him last time he went but we were warned that is was way to dangerous for us right now. It’s been plagued with drugs and violence recently.
When did you begin your career as a photographer and how has it developed?
I started late. I didn’t really get into photography until I started attending a junior college. I started as a Psychology major and took a b&w photo class just for fun. I fell in love instantly. I started to collect little Lomo cameras and Holgas. You would never see me without one. Since then I’ve attended two photography schools. My styles have changed since leaving The Academy of Art. While I was there all I wanted to do was photojournalism (I think that was the influence of Emilio Banuelos). Now that I’ve been back in Arizona I’ve been doing some assisting work with a few photographers. Most recently, Chadwick Fowler who’s taught me a lot about the commerical side of photography. I seem to be heading to the commercial side, still trying to keep photojournalism touch to it.
What was your experience like working with Mexican photographers in the 2007 Black Boots Ink Guadalajara workshop?
The 2007 BBI Guadalajara workshop was one of the best things I have ever done. The hardest part of the trip was the language barrier. Working with the local photographers helped tremendously. I’m already a shy person and then adding the fact that I couldn’t speak the local language. I was a little overwhelmed at first. I worked a lot with one local in particular, Ivan I think. He was a great help. Not only did he help with the language barrior but he made it much easier to go up to people. I’m less nervous if there’s someone with me especially if it’s someone I know and he was very open and friendly to me. Everyone I met while in Mexico was very friendly. I was surprised how welcoming everyone was. Even in the smaller towns everyone was open to us being there. The trip really opened my eyes to the real Mexico, not the stuff you read or hear about.
Introductions/Introducciones – Victor Prieto
I introduce Victor Prieto
Victor Prieto on Flickr also 50 Golden Gate, Public Places, Spaces Between PlacesBy looking at your images it looks like you’re comfortable photographing people you don’t know. What is your approach?
I usually just approach people on the street, I don’t ask but I don’t do it secretly so they don’t think I’m doing something bad. Sometimes, depending on the person, and the situation, I ask. The thing is that a lot of people don’t mind, because it’s flattering to get your portrait taken.
You are also a painter, do the two mediums influence each other?
I haven’t painted in a while, but now I am doing illustrations, I don’t think that they influence each other in a direct way, but I go about it in the same way, It’s just intuition, I know what I like, and I try to get it out in different mediums but in the same way.
You are a founder of DUST Magazine, tell me about your collective?
DUST Magazine was founded by Irwin Lewis and me, and Amanda Smith, this is a DIY magazine that consists of black and white film photography, we mix up different genres of photography in a way that it makes sense to us. It’s about telling our own stories and combining them to tell a bigger story, it’s about our the tangibility of our experiences, and the uncertainty of life.
Why do you use film?
I use film because I still work like a painter, I need a hands on approach to my photography, and I love the process of doing it all myself, it’s a certain feeling of accomplishment that I get when I can say that I printed my photos on my own. I have full control and it’s slowly decreasing in usage among photographers. I like the idea of light hitting silver to create an image.
Wandering to Casa Escorza * February 26 – 28, 2010
Casa Escorza Espacio para la imagen
Guadalajara experience at Casa Escorza
Estaremos trabajando con Casa Escorza para que el proyecto Vagando en Compañía de Desconocidos regrese a la ciudad donde comenzó. Estaremos en Guadalajara desde el 26-28 de febrero, 2010 para a colaborar con 20 fotógrafos en y crear la exposición final.
It’s great to bring Wandering in the Company of Strangers to Casa Escorza in Guadalajara, Jalisco. From February 26 – 28, 2010 we will be collaborating with 20 photographers in Mexico to bring the project full circle to the city where it started.
“Mejor conocida coma la Casa del Abogado, es el primer espacio en Jalisco que se dedica a la exhibicion de la obra de aquellos quienes se dedican al arte de la lente.”
Introductions/Introducciones Isrohan Alvarez
Te Presento a Isrohan Alvarez
Isrohan’s Blog and Mexico¿En qué estás trabajando ahora?
Soy desempleado!! jaja renuncie a mi trabajo anterior en una bodega de equipo de filmacion. Pero ahora soy freelance para cualquier trabajo en foto o cine. Como un amigo fotografo dice: “somos mercenarios del arte” y lo dice con algo amargo en la garganta. Yo pienso que eso de ser mercenario tambien tiene sus pros, como la libertad para levantar tus propios proyectos.
¿Qué / quién ha influido tu trabajo? ¿Tienes un modelo quien sigues?
Tengo muchos amigos que han influido en mi trabajo, muchos amigos cercanos y claro influencias famosas de esas que uno ve en los museos y las peliculas. Pero mis modelos a seguir los veo seguido en algun bar o en el trabajo, en el camion o en mi casa.
¿Qué aspectos se centran en tu trabajo?
Creo que el documental fotografico y cinematografico es un genero bien dificil, las “heridas de guerra” no se ven a simple vista pero ahi estan y a veces salen cuando menos las esperas, a veces disparar la camara cuesta mas trabajo, a veces hay que decidir que fotografíar y que no.
Y siempre esta la ficcion a la que me gusta recurrir como sala de recuperacion, donde puedo plasmar todo lo que no fotografie en documental, mis sueños, mis amores no correspondidos, las verdades no contadas y las mentiras que me gusta decir.
¿Qué planes tienes para el futuro?
No me gusta hacer planes, prefiero tener varias opciones de vida. Como si fuera un juego de cartas, donde las posibilidades van saliendo y tu armas tu juego con lo que tienes en la mano (o con algo que te saques de la manga jeje) Claro que me gustaria viajar, terminar mis proyectos que estan en papel y dedicarme solamente a lo que me gusta hacer, pero a veces el juego que tienes es otro y hay que volver a repartir cartas. Tambien me gustaria explorar el camino de la enseñanza, no es que yo sepa mucho, pero me gustaria pasar algo de lo que se y recordar cosas que aprendi y aprender de las personas a las que supuestamente enseñaria.
Háblame de tu experiencia trabajando con fotógrafos de Norte América en el Taller Black Boots Ink Guadalajara 2007?
Para empezar, entre a ese taller por la frase en el poster “este taller esta hecho para quienes entienden que viajar no es huir de si mismo, sino encontrarse, para quienes saben que a viajar se aprende como se aprende a vivir, a amar, a fotografiar” y asi fue… aprendi a irme de fiesta, viajar y fotografiar con los ojos de otros fotografos que terminaron siendo amigos mas que “otros fotografos”
Last Sunday Collaborative Starts Wandering…
Last Sunday Collaborative: Isrohan Alvarez | Candelario Banderas | Emilio Bañuelos | J. Eduardo Barragan | Jorge E. Barragan | Caballo | Elena Carrasco | Sergio Garibay | Yorch Gomez | Ana Fernanda Goribar | Marshall | Paco Perez Arriaga | Karla Tarin | Denisse Tatemura | Angie Zuno
What a great Sunday night!
Fifteen of us, some of us photographers others writers, gathered in Guadalajara this Sunday to start the Wandering in the Company of Strangers project. We are excited to be working with such a diverse group of photographers, each with a direct connection to the city.
Thank you all for making time to join us.
Empezamos a vagar en gran compañia. El domingo nos reunimos 15 fotografos y escritores en Guadalajara para empezar el proyecto Vagando en Compañia de Desconocidos. Que placer estar en compañia de tanto talento y de tener la oportunidad de colaborar.
Gracias a todos por acompañarnos.
Introductions/Introducciones Alexcia DeVasquez
I introduce Alexcia DeVasquez
Alexcia’s website also Mexico, Spaces Between Places, Love Politics, Mexico 2008
Tell me about your photographic series Nursery Rhymes
I really heard my first nursery rhyme in first grade. My memory of it is that the teacher was teaching us all a new song, but I realized after a few verses, that everyone else knew “Three Blind Mice” but not me. While sorting out the words, I became very confused, did we know the farmer’s wife? Was a “carver’s knife” really sharp? And why does this class full of people I like, want to kill anything?
How has your photography developed since you left school?
Wow, I don’t know where to begin. In school, I didn’t know if I wanted to focus more on the image or the message that I wanted to send. I was lost between what the camera captured and what I could create with what it captured. Since I’ve left school, I defiantly want to show more of a straight image than an image between reality and memory or imagination.
How has your mind- set changed from finding your style to solidifying what you photograph today?
Photographing so many things so that I could compile them later wasn’t an option anymore. I didn’t have the dual monitors, the printers, the hard drive space or more importantly the cultural understanding of my subject for that to work. I realized the value of what will never happen again not only what I would like to create.
What are you working on now?
Introductions/Introducciones- Jennifer Ahn
I Introduce Jennifer Ahn
There really isn’t anything I like to target. In most cases, I just have my camera and shoot something that is interesting to me at that moment. I like to photograph a little bit of everything…people afar and close up, places with character and things that sometimes may seem unusual to me.
When did you start taking pictures?
I really started back in high school with a point and shoot. I photographed everything my friends and I did, family activities and Charlie, our family golden retriever back then. I miss him.
What has been most challenging for you?
Walking right up to people and taking their portrait…especially in vulnerable situations. I don’t do well at funerals, hospitals for example…as a photographer, I want to capture the moment but as a human being, I want to respect people’s privacy.
What has been most rewarding for you?
Working in the darkroom. Most photographers are in the digital world but I’m old school like that…I love the smell of chemicals, film and photo paper!
Wandering/Vagando
We will be in California in January!
BBI workshops are about the project.
Space is limited, hope you can join us.
LOCATIONS
Guadalajara, December 13, 2009
Black Boots Ink Last Sunday Collaborative
The project begins in Guadalajara, with the participation of local writers and photographers.
San Francisco, January , 2010
Instructors: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello
Special Guest Presenter: Ray Potes
The third, workshop will be hosted by Hamburgereyes in San Francisco. An exhibit in the Mission District will include the work from Guadalajara and San Francsico.
Los Angeles, January 29 – 31, 2010
Instructors: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello
The Candid Frame will host the final California workshop. A public exhibition will include the portraits from Guadalajara, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Guadalajara, February, 26 – 28, 2010
Instructor: Emilio Bañuelos
Special Guest Presenter: Ricardo Guzman
We will conclude the project hosted by Casa Escorza on Februry 13, 20 & 27, in Guadalajara, Mexico. The final exhibit will be a culmination of work from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Guadalajara.
An edit of the final images will also be published as a BLURB book and online www.blackbootsink.com as Wandering in the Company of Strangers with literary portraits by Angie Zuno, J. Eduardo Barragan, Ibarionex Perello.
for more information, please write blackbootsink@gmail.com
Vagando en Compañía de Desconocidos: El Retrato (Sub)Urbano
Black Boots Ink te invita a pasear con nosotros en el primer informe anual viajero, un taller basado en los proyectos y exposiciónes, que te presentan a tus vecinos.
El retrato (sub)urbano es la base de la serie de talleres Vagando en Compañía de Desconocidos. El énfasis de este taller es la creación de un ambiente para que los participantes puedan aprender y practicar las tecnicas para documentar su comunidad. Las sesiones del taller están diseñadas para su utilización práctica con críticas de trabajo personalizadas, centradas en sus imágenes, con instrucción para fotografiar como vive y existe la gente en sus comunidades.
Vamos a discutir las maneras de darle voz a la gente al acercarse a ella, construir una relación, y crear retratos de las personas en su entorno natural. También se discutirá ética y responsabilidades, la luz, composición y las opciones de equipo. El propósito de esta serie de talleres es ayudarte a entender los aspectos narrativos, estéticos, y emocionales de la fotografía.
Cada día se divide entre la enseñanza en clase, trabajo de campo, críticas personales y en grupo. Los participantes pueden trabajar en película C-41 blanco y negro, color o digitales. La inscripción está abierta a todos los fotógrafos aficionados y profesionales.
Nuestra visión es hacer retratos urbanos como medio de presentaciones visuales de personas de una ciudad a personas en diferentes ciudades. Nuestra meta es devolver los retratos del público a el público, para hacer arte en lugares accesibles al combinar el trabajo de cada taller en las exposiciones, un libro, internet y en las calles, algunos lugares publicos donde las personas se reúnen para vivir.
para mas información blackbootsink@gmail.com
Wandering in the Company of Strangers
Wandering in the Company of Stangers: The (Sub)Urban Portrait
Black Boots Ink invites you to wander with us on the first annual, traveling, project-based workshop and exhibit introducing you to your neighbor.
The (Sub)Urban Portait is the focus of the workshop series Wandering in the Company of Strangers. The emphasis of this workshop is on creating an opportunity for people to learn and practice skills that will help them document their own communities. Workshop sessions are designed for practical use with personalized working critiques centering on the work you create and instruction for photographing how people inhabit, use and exist within their communities. It’s often how life is lived, particularly in very public venues, be it a market, a church, a park.
We will discuss ways to use the camera to give voice to a community by approaching people, building relationships, and making insightful images in their natural environment. We will also discuss ethics and responsibilities, light and composition and equipment choices. The purpose of this workshop series is to help you understand the narrative, aesthetic, and emotional aspects of photography.
Each day is divided between classroom instruction, discussions, personal and group critiques and fieldwork. Participants may work in black and white or color c-41 film or digital. Enrollment is open to amateur and professional photographers.
Our vision is to make urban portraits as a means of visual introductions of people from one city to people in different cities. Our goal is to return the portraits of the public, to the public; to make art accessible in comfortable venues by combining the work from each workshop in a book, exhibitions, online, and on the streets and other places where people gather to live.
for more information email us at blackbootsink@gmail.com
Introductions/Introducciones- Ibarionex Perello
I introduce Ibarionex Perello
www.ibarionex.com
www.thecandidframe.com
also Mexico 2008
What motivates you to teach, photograph and host The Candid Frame?
I have a deep love and passion for photography. The way that I see the world and the images that result from that are a big part of who I am. For me photography is more than just equipment and visual trophies, it’s really about how I explore and discover the world and have the opportunity to share it with others. For me, it’s one of the ways that I hold on to that sense of wonder that I had as a child and that so many of us lose as adults. My teaching and my podcast are extensions of that. As well as keeping me jacked into the photo community in a unique way, it also provides me a way of inspiring others to tap into their own unique ways of seeing and expressing that in photographs. No one sees the world in the same way and photographs provides one of the means for doing that and I think that part of the price I pay for being a photographer is creating opportunities for others to discover that passion and wonder for themselves.
Tell me about your new work on the trains of LA.
This was actually work I did some years ago when I was still working near Santa Monica. I live in Altadena, CA just north of Pasadena and I was in round-trip gridlock on the freeways for anywhere between 2.5 – 3 hours, five days a week. I finally got burnt out and began taking the train and bus to work. I did it for about six months and during that time I began photographing my commute. It began more to create something for me to do rather than thinking of it as a photo project. Nevertheless, I wanted to focus on the community that exists in the train cars and the buses which is mostly immigrant workers who are shuttled from the east side to west side to serve as the workers for the Westside community. I think it’s also about the way human behavior changes in respect to what’s considered personal space in such confinement. Some faces become very familiar, recognizable over time, but it isn’t about relationships but rather a shared experience, that happens mostly in silence and anonymity.
Tell me about your experience in Guadalajara, Mexico ?
As soon as I found out about the workshop, I knew I had to be there. The moment it was possible, I signed up. I had a great respect for the work that Emilio and Elena had done previously and I wanted to have the opportunity to immerse myself in a project. It’s difficult to find or create such opportunities and I felt that this would provide an chance to challenge myself. I’m primarily a street photographer, but I was hoping to make images that weren’t merely documenting of a place, but that used light and the juxtaposition of people and space to convey a sense of connectedness. I wanted to a sense of intimacy with my photographs, which I sometimes felt was missing from my work and I think I succeeded in many ways with that. It’s definitely informed the way I create images since then.
What are you looking forward to?
I’m looking forward to being reconnected with an amazing group of talented photographers. The talent of the photographers both from Mexico and the States was really incredible. I think we learned so much from each other, not as a result of lectures or presentations, but just by having the opportunity to see each other work and seeing the results. It really shakes things up and opens my eyes to the greater possibilities that are out there. I think I’m most looking forward to discovering new things about myself and my work, while having a wonderful time with some amazing, talented photographers.
Introductions/Introduccion- Nancy Ahn
I Introduce
Nancy Ahn
Nancy’s website also Issue No. One, Public Places
Tell me about your interest in photographing animals and people.
I enjoy photographing animals and people because I’m capturing a little glimpse into who they are. One image won’t define them, but shows a brief moment in their life, whether it be good or bad. There’s an honesty about it…like “this is who I am”.
I used to be weary of photographing people, scared to approach them, thinking I may offend or impose upon them. It wasn’t until shooting the SF march protesting the war years ago (thanks Elena & Emilio for the invitation!!!) that I realized as long as I keep it real people don’t mind being photographed. Most times they have something to say and want to have their voices heard. I feel it’s my duty as an artist to do just that.
Are you also a painter? How do you feel about mixed media?
I don’t consider myself a painter, but I do dabble in it here and there. When I do, I like clean lines and solid color blocks, very graphic and technical. If you asked me to paint something expressive, I’d have a panic attack and run in the opposite direction.
I enjoy seeing other artists’ mixed media pieces, depending upon the subject and execution. I haven’t worked much in it myself because I like to focus on one technique at a time, putting all my energy and thought into it. I get bored much too easily so the simpler the procedure, the more likely I’ll finish the project.
What/who inspires you?
I get inspiration from just about anything…a good example of this is a recent “sister date day” I had with Jenny. We set off to SF to check out the Richard Avedon show at the MOMA. My nose tingled with the onset of tears, seeing one of my favorite photogs’ work.
It was incredibly inspiring to look eye to eye with the endless amount of portraits he had taken over the years. I experienced all over again, the reason WHY I am a photographer. Leaving the SFMOMA, Jenny and I giggled with delight, when we noticed the sidewalk pavement was sparkly as if someone had dusted glitter all over it. The sun was hitting it at just the right angle, making it glisten and us turn into two little girls again. Sometimes it’s the subtleties in everyday life that keep me inspired.
What else are you working on?
Most recently, I’ve gone back to my roots in drawing. I started as soon as I was old enough to pick up a marker. Originally intending to major in illustration, I switched gears after taking my first photo class. (It was love at first “i processed my own film!”)
Last month, Jenny and I had a show at Black & Brown, showcasing my drawings and her paintings. I was really nervous. Since starting photography in college, I haven’t drawn much, and my confidence in doing so has dwindled dramatically. The show was a success and everyone that came out was stoked!
I also just tackled my first attempt at creating apparel. For Halloween, I was “Max” from “Where the Wild Things Are” and created the entire getup from scratch. It was scary and exciting all at the same time. 
I constantly have project ideas running through my head, but am an extremely lazy procrastinator (bad combo) so a lot of times, my projects may not be executed for years. Other times, I’ll start a project and not finish it. I have a good collection of those…maybe I can propose a show: “unfinished works” by nancy ahn. hmmmmmm…
