Solar Project, Humana People to People India, Rajasthan, India

Going back to memories of my first few years in India, guided by the great people at @humanaindia in Rajasthan. These woman were taking part in a solar energy project, taking a torch home for the evening and bringing it back to charge the next morning. 

Etsy 

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Memories of Utah, Monument Valley, 2016

The grandeur of Monument Valley sticks with me to this day. In 2016 I was blessed to have visited this space thanks to a work assignment in Salt Lake City. On the weekends it was time to visit the national parks, with Monument Valley being high on my list. I just couldn't believe that I was that close to a most iconic space. Having this image on film and printing it in the darkroom was a treat.

PS This negative was exposed in 2016 with a Hasselblad 501CM/100mm combination and printed in the darkroom to 11x14.

Etsy 

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Young Girls, The Gambia, 2006

Pierre Verger’s portraits in this region were on my mind as we walked onto the beach of this fishing village. It was hard enough to walk into the crowd as the only non-African, but the crowd was more than friendly. After setting up the camera many were curious enough to allow their portraits. 

Etsy 

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Sand Dunes + Clouds, Imperial Sand Dunes, California, 2019

Another print from the Imperial Sand Dunes, this time at the end of the day as I was walking back to the main road. The landscape is such a marvelous place, with scenes around each corner. Just when you think you're done, you end up putting the tripod down and getting ready for another exposure.

PS This negative was exposed in 2019 with a Hasselblad 501CM/100mm combination and printed in the darkroom to 11x14, tones in selenium for permanence. 

Etsy 

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School Children + Classroom, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019

This is what happens when the digital camera comes out. The girls get even more adventurous and call me over while the men are having tea. I’m blessed to have film portraits of all these girls, and some digital images as a reminder of our times together. Their school is one of the schools with which we will be collaborating in 2023. Their headmaster is interested in providing a fuller education to these young girls, who don't attend the government school in this very conservative community.

Etsy 

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Audra + Brush, El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, California

In the darkroom with the negatives from California, and with this frame of Audra at El Mirage. One of my favorite people in one of my favorite places on earth, such is the truth.

PS This negative was exposed in 2019 with a Hasselblad 501CM/100mm combination onto Ilford Delta 100 film. It was printed in the darkroom to Ilford MGIVWTFB 11x14, toned in selenium for permanence.

Etsy 

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Field of Trees, Joshua Tree National Park, California, 2019

In the darkroom again with the negatives from California, in a field of Joshua Trees. Walking around these icons is a sublime experience, with each having its own character. 

PS This negative was exposed in 2019 with a Hasselblad 501CM/100mm combination onto Ilford Delta 100 film. It was printed in the darkroom onto Ilford's MGIVWTFB 11x14, toned in selenium for permanence.

Etsy 

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Proof of Friends, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

I can’t imagine taking only monochrome film with me to India and am grateful to have taken the chance years ago… the colors of the shawls and faces in Uttar Pradesh. These two girls live in the village which hosts me during my time in that state. From this village we travel in the mornings to various madrasas in order to make portraits of their students. Every once in a while we stay in the village and make portraits of the children in the village. To know that these students live within a few blocks of where my host family lives is a remarkable feeling. Seeing them walking by as we sit at the house in the middle of the day is even more amazing.

Etsy 

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Landscape with Cattle, Utah, 2016

In the darkroom again with the negatives from Utah, with the print sitting in the fixer. A herd of cows were grazing in the field just below this glorious mountain. I just had to stop… Utah is remarkable!

PS This negative was exposed in 2016 with a Hasselblad 501CM/180mm combination and printed in the darkroom to 11x14. 

Etsy 

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Widow + Mosque Courtyard, Delhi, India

Like many widows, she has been left to defend for herself and for her children. Instead of being looked after by her community, she belongs to the majority receiving nothing from the State and lacking a pension.

In many instances, life after the death of the husband is a life waiting for death itself. So many women are married when quite young to men much older than them. As a result, the death of their husbands leaves them as young women with children and without a security net. The stories are endless, the humiliation eternal.

Depending on position and caste, some of these women are forced to shave their heads, others refrain from wearing jewelry or from presenting their beauty to the world. They are to remain invisible for the rest of their lives, almost as a means to relieve Society from its conscience. With over 40,000,000 widows in existence, this leaves a void difficult to ignore.

Etsy 

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Young Student + Classroom, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2018

Each and every Muslim girl in these portraits lives in a world which works against them. Even before they’re born most families wish for boys. Even photographing them is a tribulation, as seen by the agitation on the men’s faces. I just wish it was different, and we are working with the local community in this effort. In 2023 we are looking forward to a collaboration with 10 madrasas to improve the educational system for girls, and to hopefully promote change from the inside.

Etsy 

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Claudia + Wind, La Habana, Cuba, 2016

Han pasado cuatro años desde mi último verano en Cuba y más desde este retrato de Claudia. Tenía diez años cuando conocí a su familia y ahora está en la universidad, haciendo su propio camino. Estoy orgulloso de sus logros hasta ahora y espero con ansias lo que hará en el futuro.

Etsy 

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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!

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Best Friends + Brick Wall, Halim Ina, Uttar Pradesh, India, 2019

For those of us interested in supporting this school, and for those of us already on board, here are a few images 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 sisters of the girls presently 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 algunas imágenes 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 hermanas mayores de las niñas 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! 

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Young Girl + Tree, Granada, Nicaragua, 2017

This beautiful city was also a place my father had traveled to in order to find customers for his textiles. When we arrived I immediately fell in love with it, and the people living on the outskirts of the small city. 

From the small burrito store in the center of town to the grand square, the food was beyond tasty. My mind kept thinking if my father had walked these same streets, if he sat in the same square for lunch.

When we arrived we drove around the rim of the lake looking for communities to document. We found a young family earlier, and photographed them in front of the home which they tend for the owners. The family told us that there were many families a kilometer or so up the road, and so we pushed onward to the local school in search.

That is when we noticed a girl with the most incredible hair, the older sister to the one in this frame. Immediately we stopped and walked over to say hello. The family was so receptive, a preview of how we were to be treated in our travels throughout Nicaragua. They were so warm and spoke with us in such an honest, kind manner.

We spoke at length about their lives, how they work well before sunrise and do so in the muddy waters nearby. They do so just to be able to feed their children, and live a most humble life. They live without running water, proper electricity, medical care, bathrooms... while their meals come on a day to day basis.

This was in extreme contrast to the town square which was less than a fifteen minute drive, and of course to communities where all of the above is commonplace. Such is this young girl's life, such is the reality she faces daily.

Yet they treated us as equals, invited us back the very next day and embraced as as family. The people of Nicaragua are beyond comparison, and I for one am proud to call myself a Nica.

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Note: This image was made with a Hasselblad 503 CW/100 mm combination.

Young Woman, Rama, Nicaragua, December of 2017

This young woman's portrait was made as we attempted to cross the country in search of the eastern coastline. It seemed like nobody knew the way, it was clear to me that few had made their way from one coast to the other.

When my parents lived in Nicaragua they had never ventured that far, and my cousins living in the country now have never attempted it. Some told us that there was a road, while some told us that the only way was by plane.

So one day we just decided to head east and see for ourselves. The landscape was as beautiful as any seen through my travels, pristine and lush with lakes and volcanoes. This was in contrast to the hardships people faced in the countryside. There are the cities, and then there are the villages.

After half a day of driving, we ended up in the port city of Rama. We looked at the map and it told us that we could continue for a few hours and find our way to the eastern coast. So we followed the map on the phone, all the while my friend kept telling me that it was impossible.

After thirty minutes of driving through the outskirts of the city we ended up at the end of the road, a narrow crossing over a river. Just past the river was a small village consisting mainly of wooden homes. We finally realized that the map was suggesting that we head to the coastline on a canoe down that river.

On the bright side the village was sublime, and the people walking by us welcomed us to visit. So we did and ended up speaking with this young woman's family and friends. It was too late to do any photography, so we promised to return the next morning. We did return and had the most incredible of mornings with the photography.

The home we used was incredibly beautiful, and the children gathering around us were so sweet. The adults of course accompanied the children and supported us fully, even though just the day before we were only strangers to each other.

Johana and I have since become friends and speak often via messenger. She is continuing her education at the capital, and doing her best in order to provide for herself and her family. I admire her sincerely, and am thankful for being accepted in such a way by her community.

I look forward to seeing her and her community later this year, and doing even better for them.

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Note: This was made with a Hasselblad V system, 503 CW and a 100 mm lens combination.

Carolina + Lunara, El Mirage, Los Angeles, California, 2016

Two years ago I had the honor of being included in a collaboration between two incredible talents, Carolina as a model and Lunara as a designer of wearable art. We met in Los Angeles and then headed to the most magical El Mirage for our session.

Rarely have I had a designer with me, yet it felt natural. We were all on the same page and the clouds turned the sky into a beautiful canvas for our images. Initially I thought that time would be lost getting ready between outfits. Yet once again my thoughts were proven wrong when Lunara did more than her part to move the session along.

Then there was Carolina who took it upon herself to bring the designs to life. She did so without instruction and brought a high level of energy to the session. She constantly moved and never presented the same combination of expression and position to the lens.

Working with these two talents was quite the experience and I do hope that one day we could reunite at El Mirage!

www.halimina.com

Note: This frame was exposed with a Hasselblad 555 ELD/180 mm lens.

Lunara Love's designs could be found here:

www.lunaradesign.com

Here is an excerpt from her 'about' section:

"I am from West Siberia, Russia. The city where I grew up is not far from the biggest Siberian forest Taiga and beautiful Mountains of Altai which is where my influences have came from. Those places are famous for mystical, wild nature and Shamanic roots. Eight years ago I moved to NY, and it has been my home base since. I have traveled to the West coast a lot, and I have attended Burning Man for six years which has played a big role in my artistic expression. I have also attended a lot of beautiful Gatherings all over the world, and it has been my inspiration to create a line of Lunara Design hair accessories - danceable hair art."

Following in My Father's Footsteps, Old Leon, Nicaragua, 2017

Two weeks ago my path led me to this scene in Leon where my Father began his new life in the Land of Lakes and Volcanoes in the late 1940s. To be in the same locations where my parents had been so many decades before gave me a feeling which is truly indescribable. My hope is that the images made during my first return will honor the feelings felt.

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Note: This scene is located in Old Leon, the site of the second oldest city and first capital of Nicaragua. Due to volcanic activity such as seen here, the inhabitants moved to present day Leon and the old capital was buried by the relentless volcanic activity.

Nica + I, Villa Sandino, Nicaragua, 2017

The more days spent in my birthplace the more it feels like home. Case in point is this selfie made just yesterday as we found our way back from the east of the country. We happened upon this young girl's neighborhood and decided to approach her community for photographs. Like everyone else so far they agreed to be photographed and in just a few minutes she was comfortable enough to allow this selfie.

To tell the truth she and her sister felt comfortable enough with us to hold our hands as we walked around looking for others to photograph. Once we let the neighbors know we were there, a few children walked our way and a session was started a hundred or so meters from her home.

She was quite the bundle of energy making her difficult to photograph, yet that same energy hopefully turned into some amazing portraits on film. She and her family live in a simple wooden structure, as basic as any home in Nicaragua. Yet it is hard to tell from her portraits, for she is as complete as any girl in any other land. We bid her family farewell and promised that we'd pass by their neighborhood on my next visit to Nicaragua.

It feels just like home now, and there are two weeks to go!

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Note: This selfie was made with a Sony RX100M3.

Toddler + Wooden House, Managua to León, Nicaragua, 2017

A few days before my departure we visited this village for the second time, and were beyond fortunate to have had a quiet moment to photograph this young boy. At first his mother had held his hand while he stood next to her, then I placed a bucket upside down for him to sit down... and he did so ever so calmly. Amazingly he sat still for about ten minutes while his mother and I made as many photographs as we possibly could!

He and his family live in between Managua and León on the old highway, the same path my father would have taken as he arrived in Nicaragua. He would have passed by this village as well, perhaps passing by the grandfather of this young boy as he was a toddler himself. The people in this tiny village welcomed us as they would have welcomed family. After the photography on both days we talked for hours about topics ranging from rural life in Nicaragua to their experiences in Cuba.

Two of the men from this house had traveled to Cuba in the 1980s, giving us plenty of subject matter to talk about other than our mutual history in Nicaragua. They loved my old passport, and the picture of me when I was somewhat the age of this young boy. It was the link between the present and the past, something tangible which brought us closer together.

I do hope that the film contains at least one image comparable to this digital image, and look forward to seeing the film images once processed in a month or so.

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Note: This image was made with a Sony RX100M3.