Sunday, December 29, 2019

Sand Dunes, Southern California, December, 2019



The film has been processed and soon the film images will be shared. Until then here is an image made with an iPhone out of all tools. The light and shadows created by the texture of the sand dunes brought me to this spot at least six times during my stay in Los Angeles. Far from the noise of the city, this landscape really allowed me to take a break from portraiture and enjoy the landscapes for once.

Radhika + Students, Sewing Class, Rajasthan, India, 2019


Who’s up to making a real difference in a rural village? Who’s interested in helping 10 women learn a trade to support their families?

6 people x $25 = 1 center

This monthly amount pays the teacher’s salary and supplies the fabric as well. Here's an image from teacher Radhika from this morning's session. They were working on their own clothing, as well as uniforms for their younger sisters!


Kendaya y Lisandra, El Campo, Cuba, 2018


El próximo verano en Cuba ya está en mi mente, así como mi familia fotográfica en la isla. Todos ustedes pueden depender de mi deseo de estar allí, y espero estar allí junto con mi película. Esta imagen fue del viaje del año pasado al campo con dos queridos amigos, y fue posible gracias a la increíble Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega.

Gracias a Kendaya Anwar y Lisandra Betancourt!

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Best Friends + School, Rajasthan, India, 2019


These young girls used to attend class in the school which we support, and are now attending government school. This accomplishment was made possible through the hard work of teacher Pooja, and the support of the villagers. Now their younger sisters attend this school, and as long as they do we will continue to support. The look of familiarity on their faces speaks volumes! 

Sand Dunes, Imperial Sand Dunes, California, 2019


Looking forward to a few more weeks in Southern California next year as well, and its sand dunes!

Note: negative exposed with a Hasselblad 501CM/100 mm lens combination... scanned roughly for review here. 

Syrian Girl + Camp, Near Zahle, Lebanon, 2019


This past summer in Lebanon was a special one for me. While my usual trip to Cuba was derailed thanks to customs officials on the island, the resulting two months in Cuba allowed me to revisit my work in my homeland. Thanks to help from various friends within the Syrian community, I was allowed to visit more than twelve camps and meet some of the most incredible children in the world. The expressions on their faces, and the faces themselves, took me by surprise. Here is one such expression, and face!

Next week the film will be finished processing, and I look forward to seeing her images and those of her friends!

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El verano pasado en el Líbano fue especial para mí. Si bien mi viaje habitual a Cuba se descarriló gracias a los oficiales de aduanas de la isla, las resultas en Cuba me permitieron volver a visitar mi trabajo en mi tierra natal. Gracias a la ayuda de varios amigos de la comunidad siria, se me permitió visitar más de doce campamentos y conocer a algunos de los niños más increíbles del mundo. Las expresiones en sus rostros, y los rostros mismos, me tomaron por sorpresa. Aquí hay una de esas expresiones, y cara!

La próxima semana el laboratorio va a terminar de procesarse los rollos, y espero ver sus imágenes y las de sus amigas.
 


Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Students + Teacher, Sewing Center, Rajasthan, India, 2019


For those of us interested in supporting this school, and for those of us already on board, here is a portrait of the students from earlier today. More than a dozen years ago I was introduced to this village thanks to Humana India. This house back then was home to a school for girls, and the older girls from this village were the students. The school for girls continues to this day with private support, and girls continue to attend classes daily. It's a magical space!

Para aquellos de nosotros interesados en apoyar a esta escuela, y para aquellos de nosotros que ya estamos, aquí hay un retrato de las estudiantes de hoy. Hace más de una docena de años, me presentaron a este pueblo gracias a Humana India. Esta casa en ese entonces era el hogar de una escuela para niñas, y las niñas mayores eran las estudiantes. La escuela para niñas continúa hasta el día de hoy con apoyo privado, y las niñas continúan asistiendo a clases diariamente. ¡Es un espacio mágico!



Syrian Refugee + Window, Near Zahle, Lebanon, 2019



The processing of this summer's film is almost finished, and I cannot wait to see the negatives. Thanks to the trust of the Syrian community, my hope is that poignant portraits of their children have been made and that these can provide a greater sense of understanding between all in Lebanon.


Note: This image was made with a Fuji X-T3.

Cami + Abandoned Building, Southern California, 2017


A few years ago Cami McCullough came into my life through dance and photography. We collaborated at a dry lake initially, then expanded to the surrounding landscape. We found this burnt structure and made it our home, bringing others to this very spot in the years to come. Before my trip to Lebanon this summer I was honored to be her photographer once again near this very spot, and over Thanksgiving her selections from our last collaboration will be scanned!

PS Image made with a Hasselblad 501 CM/180 mm lens, onto Kodak Tri-X film. 

Mom + Sister, Managua, Nicaragua, 1964


Over 55 years ago my father made an 8mm film of my mother and sister as they walked from the car to a fountain, followed by a young woman who helped our family at home. This is a preview scan of the film to come! 

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Roy's Cafe + Motel, Route 66, Southern California, 2019


Happenstance took me to this spot earlier on November 16th, as this sign came alive for the first time in so long. It was an honor to have witnessed it!

A Day in the Sand, Imperial Sand Dunes, California, 2019


The end of 2019 was spent in the beautiful landscapes of southern California, a truly memorable experience. 

Fabric for Uniforms + Sewing Center, Rajasthan, India, 2019


Amazing Radhika, the sewing teacher, went to town this weekend and picked up this bunch of school uniform fabric for her students. I love seeing her and her sister making decisions for themselves and their sewing center. It is they who decide what to do, which fabric to purchase and at which price to negotiate with the shopkeeper. They don't need a manager from a foundation, they don't need men standing in front of them to tell them how to run their center. They do it all on their own! 

Students + Fabric, Sewing Center, Rajasthan, India, 2019


For those of us interested in supporting this school, and for those of us already on board, here is a portrait of the students from earlier today. More than a dozen years ago I was introduced to this village thanks to Humana India. This house back then was home to a school for girls, and the older girls from this village were the students. The school for girls continues to this day with private support, and girls continue to attend classes daily. It's a magical space!


Para aquellos de nosotros interesados en apoyar a esta escuela, y para aquellos de nosotros que ya estamos, aquí hay un retrato de las estudiantes de hoy. Hace más de una docena de años, me presentaron a este pueblo gracias a Humana India. Esta casa en ese entonces era el hogar de una escuela para niñas, y las niñas mayores eran las estudiantes. La escuela para niñas continúa hasta el día de hoy con apoyo privado, y las niñas continúan asistiendo a clases diariamente. ¡Es un espacio mágico!

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Laura + Dry Lake, Broadwell Lake Bed, California, 2019

From the negative as seen through an iPhone!

Thanks to Laura Harwood for the opportunity, and for coming down from Las Vegas for a most incredible afternoon at our secret spot. The film looks timeless, and this weekend scans will be made for your review.


Imdad + Students, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019


Four people are now supporting this project, so now we are looking for 20 more generous souls. For those of you who have been following my photography and are interested in lending your support to the girls within it, this is a great time.

24 people x $25 a month = 4 sewing centers + 1 school for girls 

In addition to our main school, we are looking to establish 4 sewing centers in, each supporting 12 students. The students attend classes for 2 hours a day, and are supplied with fabric as well for their lessons. At the end of their course each student will receive a new sewing machine.


Syrian Refugee + School Bus, Zahle, Lebanon, 2019


A month ago this young girl was going about her day, perhaps playing with her friends. I was also going about my day, driving around with a friend planning our next session.

We made our way to her camp and got permission from the leader to speak with the families. Only a few girls were present at that time, but we went ahead and set up. After 30 minutes, it was a gang of girls, then a real crowd which now included their friends.

At the end of our session the girls get to be spontaneous, and act as they wish rather than the usual. It is a rare view into this conservative society, but perhaps shows how similar they are to girls their age all over the world.

This is the magic of photography, once strangers then friends!

Hace un mes, esta niña estaba haciendo su día, tal vez jugando con sus amigas. También iba por mi día, conduciendo con un amigo planeando nuestra próxima sesión.

Nos dirigimos a su campamento y obtuvimos permiso del líder para hablar con las familias. Solo unas pocas niñas estaban presentes en ese momento, pero seguimos adelante y nos instalamos las cámaras. Después de 30 minutos, era una pandilla de niñas, luego una verdadera multitud que ahora incluía a estas dos mejores amigas.

Al final de nuestra sesión, las niñas se vuelven espontáneas y actúan como desean en lugar de lo habitual. Es una visión rara en esta sociedad conservadora, pero tal vez muestra cuán similares son a las niñas de su edad en todo el mundo. ¡Esta es la magia de la fotografía, una vez desconocidos y luego amigos!


Friday, December 13, 2019

Student + Sister, Sewing Center, Rajasthan, India, 2019


Two people are now supporting this project, so now we are looking for 22 more generous souls. For those of you who have been following my photography and are interested in lending your support to the girls within it, this is a great time.

20 people x $25 a month = 4 sewing centers + 1 school for girls 

In addition to our main school, we are looking to establish 4 sewing centers in, each supporting 12 students. The students attend classes for 2 hours a day, and are supplied with fabric as well for their lessons. At the end of their course each student will receive a new sewing machine.

Student + Sewing Center, Rajasthan, India, 2019


For those of us interested in supporting this school, and for those of us already on board, here is a portrait of one student from earlier this year. More than a dozen years ago I was introduced to this village thanks to Humana India. This house back then was home to a school for girls, and the older girls from this village were the students. The school for girls continues to this day with privatesupport, and girls continue to attend classes daily. It's a magical space!

Para aquellos de nosotros interesados en apoyar a esta escuela, y para aquellos de nosotros que ya estamos, aquí hay un retrato de una estudiante de principios de este año. Hace más de una docena de años, me presentaron a este pueblo gracias a Humana India. Esta casa en ese entonces era el hogar de una escuela para niñas, y las niñas mayores eran las estudiantes. La escuela para niñas continúa hasta el día de hoy con apoyo privado, y las niñas continúan asistiendo a clases diariamente. ¡Es un espacio mágico!

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Lily + Street, La Habana, Cuba, 2018


Los recuerdos del año pasado son lo suficientemente fuertes como para ayudarme a ser paciente hasta el próximo verano. Espero que todo esté en orden para el próximo año, y que nos volvamos a encontrar para crear esas imágenes. Gracias a Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega y nuestros paseos por la ciudad pudimos fotografiar con la luz cambiante de las tardes en la isla. Esto fue hacia el final de nuestro paseo, ya que el sol era visible a través de las nubes y encendió los hermosos y claros ojos de Lily RD.

The memories from last year are strong enough to help me remain patient until next summer. My hope is that all is in order for next year, and that we meet again to create such images. Thanks to Gysleda and our walks through the city we were able to photograph with the changing light of the afternoons on the island. This was towards the end of our walk as the sun was visible through the clouds, and lit the beautifully clear eyes of Lily.

PS Negative exposed with a Hasselblad 503CW/180 mm combination. 

Website

Young Student + Doorway, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019


For our Muslim brothers and sisters in the States, we are also looking to connect 12 mosques stateside with 12 madrasas in rural Uttar Pradesh. I have been working with this community for over 6 years now, and would love to foster this connection. The idea was presented to me by the headmasters of these schools. One can only imagine the difference we can make! 

Luis Miguel + Arbor, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2018


El año pasado, gracias a Gysleda Virginia De La Barca Vega, se me apareció una nueva visión ... y el trabajo con los bailarines de Cuba mejoró increíblemente. Un día, cuando fuimos a EGOS, Gysleda me dijo que era necesario incluir un bailarín específico, su amigo. Ella le pidió que fuera a la escuela al final de la semana para hablar con nosotros.

Por supuesto, Luis Miguel Jorge Benítez llegó a tiempo a la escuela y preparamos un plan para nuestra colaboración. Aunque Luis Miguel era un profesional, por supuesto, no podía imaginar el resultado de nuestra mañana siguiente.

Cuando llegamos a las canchas de racquetball, él estaba listo con varias ropas y personalidades. Honestamente, fue un momento increíble ... como si estuviéramos en un teatro de la ciudad. Teníamos dos horas para documentar sus ideas, sus sueños ... ¡y realmente necesitábamos mucho más!

Después de las canchas de racquetball decidimos caminar hacia los árboles. Anays Diz Pe y yo seguimos a Luis Miguel y quedamos muy impresionados con su idea de trepar al árbol. Me pareció peligroso, pero lo hizo sin esfuerzo. ¡Anays y yo lo fotografiamos al mismo tiempo, terminando nuestra sesión un gran estilo cubano!

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Last year, thanks to Gysleda, a new vision appeared to me ... and the work with the dancers of Cuba improved incredibly. One day when we went to EGOS, Gysleda told me that it was necessary to include a specific dancer, her friend. She asked him to come to the school the end of the week to talk to us.

Of course Luis Miguel was in school on time, and we prepared a plan for our collaboration. Although Luis Miguel was a professional of course, I could not imagine the outcome of our next morning.

When we arrived at the racquetball courts, he was ready with several clothes, and personalities. Honestly it was an incredible moment ... like we were in a theater in the city. We had two hours to document his ideas, his dreams ... and we really needed a lot more!

After the racquetball courts we decided to walk to the trees. Anays and I followed Luis Miguel, and were so impressed with his idea to climb the tree. It looked dangerous to me, but he did it effortlessly. Anays and I photographed him at the same time, ending our session in great Cuban style!
 


Friday, December 6, 2019

Friends near Alwar, Rajasthan, India, 2008


Going back in time for this one... a snapshot from my time near Alwar, Rajasthan. I hope each of you are doing well in your lives, and wish you the best! 

with Niranjan RajputRajesh Sarpanch HajipurHans Poswal 


La Modelo + El Edificio, La Habana, Cuba, 2018


Afortunadamente, el verano pasado en Cuba fue tan increíble que me compensó el verano pasado. Gracias a los brillantes diseños de Yudel R. Contreras Garcia y al increíble talento de Luna Hb, tal imagen era posible. Estoy trabajando diligentemente para hacer posible el próximo verano, ¡así que es mejor que todos mis amigos en Cuba estén listos!


Fabric + Young Students, Rajasthan + Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019



These are the fabrics Radhika purchased for her students this past weekend. She will go ahead and purchase some fancier designs this weekend as well. For those of us interested in supporting her school, let's come together and support her initiative. These young girls attend an Islamic school in their village because the families have little faith in the government school. The headmaster of the school is trying to expand his educational system to include the government curriculum, and we are trying to help him by raising funds for the salaries of his teachers.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Making Tea, Rajasthan, India, 2008


Over a dozen years ago my photography began thanks to a collaboration with Humana India. We were documenting a dozen schools in Rajasthan, including one in this village. In this image the teacher's mother was making tea for us after the photography.

Last year I visited this very village and sat down across from this building. We spoke with her family and all remembered us perfectly. What we learned is that the government school has vastly improved and that most of the children were now attending the school. We had very little time and were unable to photograph in the village. However next year I look forward to revisiting these villages photographically.