Black Boots Ink » Rikki Ward

Gracias SF Camerawork!

Emilio Banuelos — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:20:43 +0000

We would like to thank everyone for coming out to join us at the panel discussion at San Francisco Camerawork to meet the photographers who participated in Magazine No. 2: Shakti which featured the work of Nancy Ahn, Elena Carrasco, Rory Hejtmanek, Melissa Kitson, Eva Kokopeli, Karna Kurata, Jessica Lifland, Kija Lucas, Pernilla Persson, Karla Tarin, Rikki Ward, and Ariel Zambelich.

Kija Lucas lead the panel discussion with photographers Rory Hejtmanek, Jessica Lifland, Pernilla Persson, Rikki Ward and poet Karla Tarin read some of her works.

Thank you Pernilla Persson for the images and we will see you all next time!

Issue No. 2 Shakti

Elena Carrasco — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 02:59:44 +0000

Make your purchase here

Featuring the work of Nancy Ahn, Elena Carrasco, Rory Hejtmanek, Melissa Kitson,Eva Kokopeli, Karna Kurata, Jessica Lifland, Kija Lucas, Pernilla Persson, Karla Tarin, Rikki Ward, Ariel Zambelich,

Magazine No. 2: Shakti

Emilio Banuelos — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:21:40 +0000

Black Boots Ink is a multi-voice, visual narrative about the rituals of life in the pursuit of happiness. It is about the curiosity that makes us walk into a new situation. It is about wandering in the company of strangers — it is about all of us.

Shakti is a collective work of the female creative spirit, featuring the work of Nancy Ahn, Elena Carrasco, Rory Hejtmanek, Melissa Kitson, Eva Kokopeli, Karna Kurata, Jessica Lifland, Kija Lucas, Pernilla Persson, Karla Tarin, Rikki Ward, and Ariel Zambelich.

Click here to order Issue No. 2 from MagCloud.

A letter from Rikki Ward

Emilio Banuelos — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:00:03 +0000

As a fellow photographer, you really should know about this awesome photo workshop I took this weekend. Its called “Wandering in the Company of Strangers,” its run by an amazing group of photographers called Black Boots Ink.
The workshop ran from Friday evening until Sunday evening and was totally packed with action and really well-structured.Friday we met up and introduced ourselves and talked about the way the program would run. Saturday the majority of the day walking all around San Francisco making photos and then looking at each others work. Sunday we spent all day editing the work we made. It was intense!
But the organizers were fantastic. They were super talented and super helpful. Emilio Banuelos and Ibarionex Perello were great co-Instructors, each had really strong skill set that complimented each other really well.
I also love the whole philosophy of civic engagement and world citizenry that Black Boots Ink seems to operate under. They seem to think of photography as a two way conversation in which both the photographer and the photographee are engaged, sharing with each other and learning from one another. Sadly, I think this view of and approach to the craft is uncommon these days. It seems that many photographers are more interested in boosting their egos than taking the time to try to connect with people they are photographing.
The other folks who participated in the workshop also seemed to share this idea. They were great to work with, and for the first time, I actually enjoyed shooting with other people.
The whole experience has really invigorated my desire to shoot for love and not just for money and made me remember why I started doing this in the first place.
We are having a show of the work made on the wall at 23rd and Valencia that will go up next week and be up until the prints disintegrate. Please come by and check it out. I know you will love it! I hope you are well. You should really check out Black Boots Ink website@ www.blackbootsink.com . Let me know if you want to take one of their upcoming workshops together.

Cheers Riki

Wandering in the Company of Strangers the Magazine!

Emilio Banuelos — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:47:30 +0000

Order the issue now!

Black Boots Ink Issue No. 1 brings you the work of 44 photographers and writers working in Guadalajara, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

You can get your copy of our first printed magazine by clicking here.

Pida su edición!

Black Boots Ink Issue No. 1 lleva el trabajo de 44 fotógrafos y escritores trabajando en Guadalajara, San Francisco y Los Ángeles.

Usted puede conseguir su copia de nuestra primera revista impresa, haga clic aquí.

Work by:

words by: J. Eduardo Barragan, Guadalajara | Karla Tarin, Guadalajara

magazine design by the Photologists, Nancy and Jennifer Ahn.

Magazine No. 1: Wandering in the Company of Strangers

Emilio Banuelos — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:23:47 +0000

Black Boots Ink Magazine No. 1 brings you the work of 44 photographers and writers working in Guadalajara and Zapopan Mexico, and San Francisco and Los Angeles, California as participants in the Wandering workshop series.

Click here to order Issue No. 2 from MagCloud.

words by: J. Eduardo Barragan, Guadalajara | Karla Tarin, Guadalajara

magazine design by the Photologists, Nancy and Jennifer Ahn.

Introductions/Introducciones- Rikki Ward

Emilio Banuelos — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 22:40:55 +0000

We would like to introduce you to Rikki Ward

Wandering in the Company of Strangers

www.rikkiw.com

Tell me about your “Lusty Lady,”photo essay. What was your experience like, what were your challenges and what do you want your audience to learn from your essay?

When I first moved to San Francisco, I heard that there was an old-school peep show that was not only interesting for that reason, but was also worker-owned. I have always been interested in gender/body-image/sexuality issues and am also extremely interested in the dynamics of worker-owned organizations. I found the combination of a place that sells sexuality with a staff of independently-minded, empowered women (and men) of widely varying shapes, sizes, and identities to be a really fascinating concept. So, I did what I could to become intimately aquainted with the place and really put myself in the dancers’ shoes.

I wanted to make photographs that reflect the unique nature of the Lusty Lady and that portray the women who work there as strong and active participants in the images. This was challenging for me because my own experience there left me with conflicting feelings. I felt that it was an important place to document but it was actually really difficult for me. I was very very aware of being sure that everyone who I photographed was 100% OK with me documenting them .

You have traveled and documented in a few location, where do you plan to travel next and what have you learned form photographing people in different countries?

I LOVE traveling. I love the uncertainty of it and the constant newness. This is actually sort of funny because at the same time I have a difficult times making major changes in my life and tend to stay for long periods of time in the same place. Maybe traveling allows me a little break from this sort of anxiety and attempt at control. Anyway…

There are MANY places I’d really like to travel to next. Among them are West Africa, Russia, Cuba, Canada (never been), Alaska…

The list goes on. But, there are two places I’m actually planning to go to in the not-too-distant future.

My friend Waki, another photographer, recently moved back to her home country, Japan. I plan on going to visit her hopefully within a year. It would be such a privilege to be able to be introduced to Japan by someone who is so intimately familiar with the country and its customs but who has also spent a good deal of time away.

I am also planning a trip to Colombia, where my boyfriend Julian grew up and hadn’t been in about 20 years. I think it would very interesting to share Julian’s experience of being re-introduced to a place that he was once very familiar with but hasn’t really experienced it as an adult.

What I love best about photographing people in different countries, and cultures that are different from my own, is finding the commonalities between all of us while trying to understand different experiences and different ways of moving through the world.

What do you want to be remembered for?

My parents always tell my brother and I stories about their experiences growing up and the experiences of my grandparents and great-grandparents and their lives all sound so rich and I feel proud to be part of such a wonderful family. I just hope that if I have children they can tell the story of my life and their children will feel proud of where they came from.

If you were a super hero and you could choose a a super power who and what super power would you choose.

Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I think I would choose the ability to breath under water so I could explore the ocean without all kinds of crazy equipment. It’s not really a special “power” per se, more like a unique ability.

Wandering in the Company of Strangers

Emilio Banuelos — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:09:57 +0000

images by: WANDERING IN THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS PARTICIPANTS:

words by: J. Eduardo Barragan, Guadalajara | Karla Tarin, Guadalajara

Buscando imagen.

Posando a la inspiración encontré La línea de tu universo
humo revelado con luz de silencio
Notas de viento Ceniza de palabras
Fuego en los labios líneas de carne
gritan tu imagen

Clasificado

Soy un monstruo que no sabe escribir. Le gusta escribir
Soy un monstruo que no respeta alto. No importa el tono de rojo que sea, no importa la altura. No importa el alto.
Soy un monstruo. El que abre tu refri. comeré tu comida. Todo lo que en él hay. Pollo, salchichas, el queso.
Soy un monstruo. Me beberé tu cantina.
Guarda el whisky.!!!!!! Guarda el Reyes!!!!!!!.
–Mejor Nooooo!!! No lo escondas.
Soy un monstruo que acariciará a tu hija.
La llamaré de muchos modos, la amaré de muchos otros, la corromperé.
Soy un monstruo y entraré a tú casa. No importa que no estés.
Tiraré esa puerta (por dentro) y entraré…. de nuevo.
El monstruo que te hará daño. Que te mostrará una cara.
El que dará todo para después dar nada.
Un monstruo que se alimenta de envidia, rencor y pasado.
Siempre inconforme. Siempre insatisfecho. Hecho en México.
Soy un monstruo mentiroso, cizañoso, un tanto cariñoso, malicioso.
Un monstruo que vomitó el asco por si mismo en tu cama.
Dejando mi olor en el… Tengo fotos. Quieres ver?
Cuando soy un Monstruo. Me manejo automático a la destrucción.
Los monstruos no queremos vivir mucho, solo queremos vivir bien.
Somos Mark Chapman, somos Charles Manson. Somos un hueco.
Sabemos existir para seguir siendo monstruo.

Francisco Javier Calderón Becerra 6 oct.1950

Me dicen Kiko, crecí con las muchachas del cavaret donde trabajaba cuando tenía 11 años, ahí aprendí a respetar a las mujeres, ellas me enseñaron mucho, ya han de estar muertas o enfermas de sida las que siguen vivas, nunca les llame prostitutas ni putas pues son mujeres de respeto que trabajan como uno, que trabaja para vivir.

Ya mas grande, la hice de administrador de Motel, sobraba con quien tener hijos nomás sacando cuentas, como 14 hijos he de tener, con mi esposa tengo 6, pero de los 6 nomás a uno le importo, hace unos meses me regrese de otro lado, vivía en Texas con mi mujer y los 6 hijos, pero pasa el tiempo y el cuerpo no aguanta lo de antes, el presente carga mi pasado.

Habrá quien sepa de lo que hablo, de niño vendí chicles, periodicos, le di vueltas al volantín y la vida me llevo a donde estoy. En el gabacho trabaje en construcción, cuando no tienes papeles uno trabaja de lo que se pueda, no se pone exigente que salga pal taco, que por aya es la hamburger.

Pues el cuerpo se me canso y me operaron de las caderas, ya no podía trabajar en la construcción el peso era mucho para esos huesos que juntan piernas y torso.

Sin trabajo
sin papel legal
sin dinero pa la home
a méxico me mandaron por viejo y enfermo dijo mi mujer…
Y como México no hay dos acá esta mi familia 14 hermanos
Trabajo hay ; mesero, chofer en los camiones, por ahí sale
ya me queda poco para jubilarme
a ver si antes de morir me baño en le mar, no lo conozco.
Y de la mujer que no me quiso ya ni me acuerdo
Ya tengo bicicleta pa pedalear, ella tiene 30 años es mas chiquilla que yo, tiene un chamaco de un año, ellos si me quieren hasta me corta las uñas y yo le compro la medicina pa su hijito, la quiero bonito.
Y de las caderas ni se queja, bien le gusta el meneo.

I.M.S.S.

Espero en urgencias. Para mi la mayoría de las cosas son nuevas. Y lo único que tiene de urgencias el lugar es el nombre.

En uno de los cientos de pasillo que hay dentro de esta mole de edificio hay pacientes impacientes. Esperan el menor de los males.

Los enfermos, algunos en una camillas acostados sobre una colchoneta de plástico. Otros,sentados esperando camilla. Pero eso si todos perfectamente uniformados. En bata verde ya muy gastada, con algunas manchas ya secas de líquidos varios de otros usuarios. Afortunadamente mantienen su calzado y sus calzones. Camino cabizbajo. Voy viendo unas cañitas envueltas en botas de obrero, piernitas tilicas. Otras hinchadas y moradas dentro de sandalias

–es por la diabetis-

Comenta el familiar que viene acompañando a su anciano padre que yace en silla de ruedas.En otros casos no hay pierna. O como Ricardo, el paciente no. 43… solo medio pie.

Escucho decir a una enfermera que falta poco para que saquen a las visitas del pasillo. Yo no quiero irme. Y no es por que este disfrutando.

El personal, los archivos, el mobiliario y el servicio son todo un caos, parecido al que tengo ahora dentro de mi cabeza…..

Camino por el pasillo, la capilla Sixtina pasa en imágenes. Viendo rostros en agonía de los santos. Pero los presentes no figurarán en el calendario santoral.

La busco en cada paciente…La dignidad fue dada de alta por que no esta aquí.

De regreso, me detengo frente las sillas que están acomodadas al los costados del pasillo. Me detengo y mi hinco ante la paciente No. 41. Miro a mi madre y me apoyo en su pierna. La persona mas entera del pasillo o eso parece.

Doña Mary es nuestra vecina hoy, una anciana de 67 años que esta inconciente en su catre después de convulsionarse. Alrededor de ella sus hijos la ven.. uno de ellos, el mayor, llama a su madre…no hay respuesta.. completamente sedada. Y Luz María, otra ancianita que es una pasa en la silla.

A diferencia del cuerpo médico de la mañana y el de la tarde, que mostraban un semblante cansado y de pocos amigos. La ronda nocturna a primera vista luce amable. Las enfermeras bien podrían trabajar de meseras en algún centro nocturno mientra las doctoras se van paseando con sus taza de café rellenable del 7-11, collares de colores y su manos libres en el oido.

Un grupo de doctores y estudiantes están dando un rondín por los pasillos. Se detienen frente a cada paciente y una enfermera les cuenta el capitulo de su vida en el que van.

Síntomas, evolución. estabilidad y mas cosas. Nunca se dice si el paciente esta bien o mal, solo observan, le dan un nombre en latin a alguna parte del cuerpo y siguen adelante. Cada paciente es clasificado y va a acompañado de una minuciosa descripción que mas adelante se traspapelara entre otros expedientes médicos.

Wandering Participants in San Francisco

Emilio Banuelos — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:41:24 +0000

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:

Black Boots Ink Team: Elena Carrasco, Guadalajara | Aimee Guymon, Berkeley | Unni Raveendranathan, San Francisco | Jennifer Ahn, San Jose | Nancy Ahn, San Jose

Wandering in the Company of Strangers: SF

Emilio Banuelos — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:19:43 +0000

Wandering in the Company of Strangers Workshop Series 2010
Instructors: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello

in collaboration with:

Jennifer Ahn, Nancy Ahn, The Photologists, San Jose, CA
Ray Potes, Hamburgereyes, San Francisco, CA
Ibarionex Perello, The Candid Frame, Los Angeles, CA

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 Portrait 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.

San Francisco, January 22 -24, 2010
Instructors: Emilio Bañuelos and Ibarionex Perello
Special Guest Presenter: Ray Potes

The first California workshop will be hosted by Hamburgereyes in San Francisco. A public exhibit in the Mission District will include the work from Guadalajara and San Francisco.

enrollment closed