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

Shooters: Eddie Otchere

Shooters: Eddie Otchere

Incredible work.  Watched a video about his shots of one of my favorite Hip Hop groups, the Wu Tang Clan.  Check out Eddie Otchere's photography at otchere.work and Follow @dhagren twitter.com/dhagren.

Added to 'Shooters' links. 

Shooters: Marco Marotto

Shooters: Marco Marotto

While looking for shots of Peter Turnley's work in Cuba, I stumbled across an incredible photograph by Marco Marotto of a chess game.  Check out the interview and photograph click here.  To learn more about Marco Marotto's work visit 500px.com/marcomarotto ...I noticed another of a chess game among children in Vietnam/Cambodia at the 500px site.  

Added Marco Marotto to Shooters links.

Adventure in Photography Lit

My Latest Adventure in Photography Lit...Music Too

For my b-day this year my mom, Queen Luz, asked what I wanted.  I had passed up the opportunity to purchase the Dust & Grooves text when I first noticed it for sale online a year prior.  I lose interest in books priced beyond $20 even if I really want a copy. I kept thinking about Dust & Grooves though... the text combined the best of my favorite worlds, photography and vinyl.  After my mom asked me what I wanted on my b-day, I thought about it and searched on Amazon.com noticing the pre-order link to the Dust & Grooves, Adventures in Record Collecting book.  Before that, every now and then I'd revisit the Dust & Groove Amazon page to check on price and availability.  For my 2015 b-day I went ahead and pre-ordered Dust & Grooves.

Forgetting all about the pre-order I was surprised when I received the light heavy weight sized box in the mail several months later.  I finally started flipping through the pages this month.  In thinking about how I read magazines like waxpoetics, Dust & Grooves, gives me the urge to listen to it. As a book each page is a new track like a literary mixtape.  

I've added the the text to the Catalogue slot of this blog, click on the image to learn more.  I've added Eilon Paz's link to "Lens Influence".  I'm inspired by his work having photographed my own love collecting music with disposable Kodaks.   

Peter Turnley's connection to Hip Hop

The Photography of Peter Turnley

I learned about Peter Turnley's photography after looking into one of my favorite records by The Roots Things Fall Apart which was released with different covers, one of those a photograph by who I found out this year was Peter Turnley.  To learn more about Peter Turnley's photojournalism covering the world visit peterturnley.com. The site includes social media links.

Peter Turnley's web link has been added to the Shooters list to the right.

Alice Driver | Photographer

Photos of the Disappeared Among the Living click here

Photographs by Alice Driver

Learn more about Alice Driver's work at alicedriver.com

Stock Photography Volume 1

Stock Photography Resources click here

Gone are the days of stumbling across the net searching for free stock photos.

New label on Lens & Words, all about 'Resources'.  Info from HubSpot Blogs.

Stock Photography

Stock Photography: Pixabay

Other than Morgue File, I don't know of very many sites with FREE high quality stock photos for web based or marketing projects.  Until today!  Check out Pixabay, Picjumbo, and Pexels.  Dug the chess shot above.  Linking Pixabay under Lens Links.

Project Apollo Archive

Project Apollo Archive

Photographs: click here

This is just... incredible.

Check out NASA on instagram: instagram.com/nasa/

Christian Year 1

Christian's Year 1

I got a lot of cousins.  Christian is in the second generation of cousins.  For the past ten years I've been taking pictures of just about every family related event we can think of.  For my neice Lil' Lucy, I put together a photo book titled "Two, Two, Two".  It was my debut in turning my pictures into photo books and covered her day in the life when she turned two.  From the minute she got up to celebrate at the water park to the barbecue to cake time with family and friends.

Christian Year 1 is the second book I've put together.  The photo above is Christian pretty much getting initiated to the dance floor.  He will experience many more of these moments for years to come.  His book is 42 photographs deep.

Until the next photo book!