Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Mursi Man + Machete, Ethiopia, 2010, Limited Edition (50), 11x14 Handmade Silver Gelatin Print


This is a silver gelatin print of a man from the Mursi Community. It is made by me, the photographer, in my darkroom. It is printed on Ilford MGIVWT glossy fiber 11x14 paper, and toned in selenium for permanence. It is processed in a Zone VI washer to archival standards, and allowed to dry overnight on a screen. This young man lives is a most difficult environment, and holds true to his traditional culture. Even though you'll see very few other Ethiopians in her area, vans of tourists stop now and then. Each time the tourists step out and walk into the village. Once they do the community walks over to them in order to try and earn a living with their goods, mainly the lip and ear plates as well as woven baskets. They also earn a living by being photographed, as each tourist pays a certain amount for a photograph. 


The camera/lens combination was a Hasselblad 501CM/180mm, and the frame was exposed onto Fuji's brilliant Neopan Acros 100 using natural light. This portrait is from a library of well over 300,000 negatives exposed over the last 24 years, from four continents and a dozen countries. Every person is spoken with prior to the portrait, and the process is explained fully. Most of my work is on film, and the countries are revisited year after year in order to continue the documentation of the same families, of the same communities. 

The purpose of selling these portraits on Etsy is to support the social work being accomplished through my photography. Presently we have six sewing centers in two states of India, serving both the Hindu and the Muslim communities. In these sewing centers, young women learn a trade while also making clothing for their families. The centers are located in the rural areas, where young women have only one option normally, marriage and a family. At this moment, due to COVID-19, the work is on hold. However, we plan to restart the centers in 2022 and the funds from the sale of these portraits will be applied to the work in India.

Each print will be signed and dated by me, the photographer, and numbered to a maximum of 50 prints (11x14) per negative. 

Melissa + Racquetball Court, Santa Maria del Mar, Cuba, 2018

Another day in the darkroom reliving my mornings at the racquetball courts of Cuba. This is one of my favorite places in the world for photography, the light is just perfect. Those sunglasses were just right, served her eyes so well under the glaring sun!

Thank you Melissa and ModaEgos for everything!

PS Negative exposed with a Hasselblad 503CW/180mm combination, the print toned in Selenium. 

3 Children + 9 Frames, Dakar, Senegal, 2006


The contrasts in the streets of Dakar gave me pause. Without exception the children were sweet and curious. Since I am without children of my own, I imagined how my friends with children would feel seeing children with tattered clothes, facial scars and a layer of dirt/dust on their precious skin. To this day I wonder how these children fared in life, and hope that they survived their childhood. 

Monday, March 28, 2022

Monument Valley, Utah, 2016


Monument Valley inspired me to continue with landscape as a subject, in addition to my portraiture. The place is otherworldly, and I am so grateful for having had a little bit of my life in that space.

The purpose of selling these prints on Etsy is to support the social work being accomplished through my photography. Presently we have six sewing centers in two states of India, serving both the Hindu and the Muslim communities. In these sewing centers, young women learn a trade while also making clothing for their families. The centers are located in the rural areas, where young women have only one option normally, marriage and a family. At this moment, due to COVID-19, the work is on hold. However, we plan to restart the centers in 2022 and the funds from the sale of these portraits will be applied to the work in India.

This is a silver gelatin print made by me, the photographer, in my own darkroom. It is printed on Ilford MGIVWT glossy fiber 11x14 paper, and toned in selenium for permanence. It is processed in a Zone VI washer to archival standards, and allowed to dry overnight on a screen. The camera/lens combination was a Hasselblad 501CM/100mm, and the frame was exposed onto Ilford Delta 100 using natural light. 

Each print will be signed and dated by me, the photographer, and numbered to a maximum of 50 prints (11x14) per negative. 

Anays + House, El Campo, Cuba, 2018


Just looking at this negative reminds me of that wonderful morning in the countryside of Cuba, with the talented Anays Diz Pe. We have collaborated ever since I met her walking the streets of the island, back in 2008. She is now in serious demand as a dancer, a model and an artist in general. For this frame we drove around the countryside looking for places. We saw this house to the right and stopped to ask the family for permission. A sweet woman opened the door and was surprised to see us, agreeing immediately to our request.

Anays was of course ready like always, listened to my requests and performed as she desired for 12 frames. Then we changed to another film back and made another dozen frames before thanking the family, and moving onto our next location. These are the experiences that I miss, and hope to have in 2023.

 

12 Frames + Rooftop, Turkey, 2013


How I miss my friends in Turkey, and their selflessness in allowing me to document their art! 

Here we are privileged to witness @cafemullerart on the rooftop of a university building, a spontaneous session with her and her friends!

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Young Laborer + Shawl, 2020, India, Limited Edition (50), 11x14 Handmade Silver Gelatin Print Toned in Selenium


This young woman works during the day as a laborer in one of the Rajasthani government's construction jobs. My friend tells me that these jobs exist in order to subsidize the local economy and those without a skill set with respect to formal training. This young woman walks a few kilometers each way with her lunch container in hand. She is full covered for the work and does so under the grueling sun. Normally the men are supervising the work, but at times also join in. The work is tedious and never ends. Her work for example is to carry endless baskets of dirt from one place to another, all uphill since they are digging for a dam. Every year the project continues and it seems that there is no end in sight.

The purpose of selling these portraits on Etsy is to support the social work being accomplished through my photography. Presently we have six sewing centers in two states of India, serving both the Hindu and the Muslim communities. In these sewing centers, young women learn a trade while also making clothing for their families. The centers are located in the rural areas, where young women have only one option normally, marriage and a family. At this moment, due to COVID-19, the work is on hold. However, we plan to restart the centers in 2022 and the funds from the sale of these portraits will be applied to the work in India.

This is a silver gelatin print made by me, the photographer, in my darkroom. It is printed on Ilford MGIVWT glossy fiber 11x14 paper, and toned in selenium for permanence. It is processed in a Zone VI washer to archival standards, and allowed to dry overnight on a screen. The camera/lens combination was a Hasselblad 501CM/180mm, and the frame was exposed onto Ilford Delta 100. This frame is from a library of well over 300,000 negatives exposed over the last 24 years, from four continents and a dozen countries. Every person is spoken with prior to the portrait, and the process is explained fully. Most of my work is on film, and the countries are revisited year after year in order to continue the documentation of the same families, of the same communities. .

Each print will be signed and dated by me, the photographer, and numbered to a maximum of 50 prints (11x14) per negative.

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Sewing Class, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019


Last year was like another world, and I hope that this community is safe during these difficult days. Soon we hope that the centers can reopen and that they can make more beautiful clothing for their families and learn a valuable trade at the same time. We hope to reopen the sewing centers in 2022, and also incorporate the government education system within the traditional madrasas as per the community. All interested in helping with this project are more than welcome to contact me as per the links below.

9 Frames + Students, Kisumu, Kenya, 2007


A dozen years ago I was privileged to have access to a beautiful community in western Kenya, thanks to a foundation named MACODEF. We went from village to village, from school to school, in search of incredible people and stories. This school was on the outskirts of Kisumu, and we walked just to the side to make portraits of the entire student body. Some children had shoes and some lacked, while almost all of the children were wearing the only uniform that they possessed. The foundation is doing remarkable work given the conditions, and I applaud their efforts sincerely. 

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Negative, Imperial Sand Dunes, California, 2019


How I miss driving thru Southern California, with a camera in my hands. Over every hill was another set of photographic possibilities. While in LA the weekends were reserved for the sand dunes!

Ballerina + Oldsmobile, Guanabacoa, Cuba, 2018


It was her day once again in the darkroom today, missing our time in the countryside of Cuba. This print reminds me of her beloved family, as well as of the good people of Cuba which have made this work possible. Rather than photograph people without their permission nor input, this portfolio represents the will of the people and their creativity. It is my hope that these images do justice on their collective behalf.

Young Syrian + 9 Frames, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2018


When Customs Officials seized my film going into Cuba, I made a quick decision to salvage my summer and head to Lebanon. From Cuba I ordered the replacement film and flew back to the States immediately, then caught the plane to Lebanon with the new film!

I was so glad that I did, because the photography in Lebanon flourished. Here connections were made with further camps and countless new children. This young girl was as exquisite as any star and had the light on that afternoon to make portraits with the classic, Hollywood light!

What an experience!