Joey Snapz

 Joe Conzo, Jr. aka Joey Snapz

A beautiful story. Sending love to the Conzo family. Learning of how Conzo's negatives stayed safe speaks to a mother's love. Thankful for what Conzo's mother did so that we could appreciate the creative eye of a true soul survivor during the earliest days of Hip Hop. Check The New Yorker story below by Hua Hsu. Peace Joe Conzo, Jr., respect.

The Photographer Who Captured the Birth of Hip Hop click here

You can find Joey Snapz incredible work and story on both Twitter & Instagram. #Follow.

Muhammad Ali Magnum

 Muhammad Ali Magnum Photographers

Currently reading a collection of photos by Magnum Photos or what the editorial at Amazon states is a photographic cooperative "founded in 1947 by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, David Seymour, and George Rodger. The Magnum Photo Library is said to house about one million images. Click on the image to learn more about the text.

Raymond Boyd

 "Raymond Boyd is truly a photographer, with a gift for telling visual stories and bringing you closer to the moments that matter. And it all began with a young man, on the South Side of Chicago, and his 110 camera." Black Archives presents: Stories Untold The Raymond Boyd Collection click here

View the entire Raymond Boyd Collection click here

Black History, White House

Black History, White House

The cover photograph was taken during an Easter egg roll by Frances Benjamin Johnston in 1898. The Library of Congress states that she was "one of the first American women to achieve prominence as a photographer." You can learn more about Johnston at the collection available at the Library of Congress click here.

Just finished reading the text The Black History of The White House by Dr. Lusane. Only wish I'd known of this text prior to visiting Washington, DC. Thought about connections to Dr. Dyson's book titled Black Presidency: Barack Obama & the Politics of Race in America. Another text I couldn't put down. The 2008 election was my first real moment as a voter where I got to notice more about a lot of what's discussed in this text. It was crazy seeing how deep race got int people's head once Obama stepped foot on that stage. Changes how I see Pete Souza's Intimate Portrait photo book too. Souza's text almost feels like a companion text to the last chapter of Dr. Lusane's book.  

Here's a quote from the closing chapter of the book, "Whether Obama turns out to be one of America's greatest presidents or something less, his tenure will nevertheless represent one nexus where Black politics and American politics meet. At this writing, they both live and lead from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Given the confluence of circumstances he faced in winning the White House, along with unknown events to come, it certainly will not be an uneventful presidency." - Dr. Lusane, The Black History of The White House Chapter 9, 'The Latest Political Milestone: The Obamas in the White House'

An Intimate Portrait

Obama, an Intimate Portrait
by Pete Souza

I got a feeling that Pete Souza's work goes back to my childhood. A book my teacher passed on to me in the 80s. She was my favorite teacher. I never read the book, but was caught up on the cover. Always remembered the book, I found the copy of George Sullivan's Mr. President book years later, I have it today. Wish I had my original copy that Mrs. Barkley signed and gave to me. I believe Pete Souza's work is on that cover. This is one of my current photography reads. There's a really powerful documentary about Souza titled 'The Way I See It'.

Multnomah Falls

"Multnomah Falls"

What a shot taken by Ali. In Oregon. Wow.

Jamel Shabazz Street Photographer

 Jamel Shabazz Documentary

I'm in love with this documentary. All respect due to an inspiration through the lens, Jamel Shabazz. Whatup AZ, we see you! Film by Charlie Ahearn.

King of the Rings

 King of the Rings

Pops.

Wells & S. Locust

Wells & S. Locust
New Mexico State University

What a beautiful day. New Mexico State University got a lot of those. This was one of my old walks as a resident assistant while I was staying at Alumni Hall. Working winter breaks I was asked to check a few other buildings on campus during the winter weeks. I'd layer up and make my rounds, flash light, walking around making sure everything was cool in an almost empty campus. 

Devin Allen Photography

Photographer: Devin Allen (Baltimore)

Love to see Baltimore's Devin Allen win cause of what he stands for. Over the past few months I learned a few things about Fuji camera that I didn't appreciate through Devin's story. Especially in there disregard for Devin's work. Though it appears that Leica is a bit out of my price range, I've imagined purchasing a Leica some day, inspired by Devin's work and the respect he's garnered during this turbulent time. 

Fan Ho Photography

Photographer: Fan Ho (Hong Kong)

Noticed a link with information and a few shots from a photographer named Fan Ho. He took these in the 1950s/60s in Hong Kong. These shots are incredible.  Especially the magnitude of those shot and displayed in portrait length. Such beautiful shots. Information about Fan Ho can be accessed at this link fanho-forgetmenot.com which appears to be hosted by his family. 

The Pandemic of the 21st Century

The Pandemic of the 21st Century

A big notice went out immediately after Friday the 13th that the coronavirus had touched down in Texas. Events were being cancelled, school districts announced that the Spring Break would be extended and we were adapting to what felt like the unknown. We heard that to be cautious wear a mask. My first time to the grocery store once the pandemic was active not many in the grocery store had masks. My father cautioned to wear a mask, especially since it appeared that the virus was reaching people like my father with health conditions. I developed a routine early on when I'd shop and for what. A couple weeks prior, I cancelled my gym membership and cut off a lot of expenses. A couple more trips out to grocery stores I started to see a change. Especially by April, there were more people wearing masks and protocols at grocery stores for which direction to enter buildings and aisles. In the grocery store that day, I had the urge to take photos of what I was seeing just shopping for food but I was too concerned of taking more time than necessary and was focused on simply getting in and getting out. Especially since we started hearing that the handling of certain items could potentially spread the virus if one wasn't careful. 

The parks have been closed for a while, only just recently opening back up. I wanted to take the opportunity to take this picture as the caution tape started coming apart on the playground equipment. When possible, I hope to document more. I admire all the work photographers all around are putting in to capture so many moments during this time. It's inspiring. A lot is going on and most recently I really got inspired by an article titled "Everyone has a story": How will the world remember the pandemic?" The article states, "Everywhere, people like Uwakwe (Obi Uwakwe, artist/photographer) are creating photographers, paintings, emails, journals and social media posts that will shape how the world remembers the coronavirus pandemic for years and centuries to come. Museums and historical societies already are collecting materials." It adds, "Technology is helping historians collect material and tell stories as well."

This is my first contribution to that. Perhaps this will end soon, but it looks like we're knee deep in what surviving a pandemic is going to be all about. Sending prayers to everyone out there. This one's for the future.

Bulldogs Class of 2019

 

Home of the Socorro Bulldogs Class of 2019

Finally had the chance to bring out the Finepix S1! Took some shots for my cousin's son to spread the word on his upcoming graduation at the Don Haskins Center. He'll be graduating with an Associates Degree after having completed a program in the dental field through the Health Professions Academy at Socorro High. The campus will be undergoing a major renovation soon so it was nice to capture a few shots of a school that's been around since 1965.

Til' the next shoot! Peace...

 

Panoramics

Rafael's Panoramic...

We didn't get to live out our #CFPhotography Crew goals but here's a cool shot from Rafael that I found on my phone.  What a neat idea though! The thought of bridging photography with the energy of a neighborhood's history. Maybe some day...

Lens & words

Lens & words

Photography

2016 Fujifilm FinePix S1

2016 Fujifilm FinePix S1

Supermoon + Fuji + #CFPhotography

Supermoon 11/14/2016

Introducing the Fujifilm FinePix S1

& the #CFPhotography Crew

Since 2012 I've been shooting pics with a Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR.  I started shooting pics with Fuji cameras in 2006 when I bought a double A battery operated Fujifilm FinePix S5200. I fell in love with taking pictures because of old family photo albums which consisted of a bunch of scattered disorganized pics I'd revisit of  mom, dad, my brothers, extended family members, memories of my 80s childhood, and my adolescent years during the 90s. 

Before I got my first cell phone in 2001, I purchased Kodak disposable cameras to document my freshman and sophomore years in college. I also started traveling a little bit for university events throughout New Mexico, Colorado, California, and further east to Austin, Texas. I wanted to capture some of those moments so I always had a disposable camera with me. Around the time I also learned a lot more about computers, digital technology, and social media platforms that started up. My younger brother's god parents gave me a loan to purchase my first computer which provided a platform for where I could share and save the pictures I took from the disposable Kodaks.  At the time I also became familiar with web design and Adobe Photoshop software which helped me recognize the story of pictures and how they could be presented.  

I never went beyond the hobby of taking pictures to study and learn about the actual craft of photography.  I did start reading more though about photography through the experiences of photographers like Gordon Parks, Jose Galvez, James Vanderzee and someone I consider a lens icon for the Hip Hop generation, Jamel Shabazz. In later years, I'd also visit local photography workshops to ask questions and learn whatever I could. 

My knowledge of even the basics of photography and what cameras can do is limited. Many of the features on the cameras I purchase are intended for people like myself who don't understand the mechanics of more expensive, professional cameras. Recently, my brother's good friend, Raf, shared some knowledge with us from his involvement with the high school yearbook staff. He agreed to take some time to share what he knows for a group we started in our neighborhood called #CFPhotography. Our goal is to learn more about photography through each others interest in our own cameras. I've passed down my HS30EXR to my younger brother since I purchased the latest Fujifilm FinePix S1 model. Raf's lens of choice is a Canon. The CF in our crew name stands for "Canons and Fujis."
  

This month we had our first session which focused on the Supermoon.  We discussed shutter speed, aperture, and ISO and clicked through options in our camera to try and prepare for our Supermoon shots.

Shout out to Raf & my little brother MCZoo. Above is my shot of the Supermoon on 11/14/2016.

digitalbrownhornet 

Continuing Education @ UTEP PPP

Continuing Education @ UTEP

There's no telling where these kinds of learning opportunities can take you, your children, or siblings.  Here are a few opportunities in the field of photography through the University of Texas at El Paso Professional and Public Programs Extended University.  For more information on enrollment and courses offerred visit ppp.utep.edu.

Photographer Jill Freedman

Photographer Jill Freedman

Just found out about her work reading James Estrin's article 'Cops, Clowns, & Cameras' click here and watching the Vice post about her project 'The Boys Club'. More information on Jill Freedman available at jillfreedman.com.

Finding Vivian Maier

Finding Vivian Maier | Netflix

YouTube Trailer

Found out about Vivian Maier's work through a CNN post.  Below is a picture from the Benazir Wehelie post in CNN style, view here for more photographs.  Added a link to Maier's website in the Shooter's tab to the right. Above a trailer to a documentary about her life on Netflix.

1953