Thursday, December 26, 2019

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.