Fire and Negative Space

I'll start with the details of this photo. ISO 400, 27mm focal length, aperture at f7.1, and a 1.3 second exposure on a tripod, no flash.
The camera settings sound very weird right? I'd say yes they do.
I had less than 10 minutes to set up and shoot a series of impromptu images. I ran for my camera and decided that spending the extra couple of minutes to grab and set up my tripod will make a difference.
I was trying to get good exposure with out the preparation time that is sometimes needed for less conventional shoots like this one. The LCD screen preview saved me on this one. I shot a couple aperture priority images and got a generic idea of exposure. I quickly switched to Manual mode and dialed what I thought was something close to a correct exposre for what I wanted to achieve. A relatively long exposure was key to grab the trails of the fire. I tweaked a few more times as I kept shooting images and quickly looking at my LCD. I shot a few more and the mini show was done! I was comfortable enough with the exposure that I was also able to put some thought in to composition. I love negative space, so I used it. Also I tried hard not to show in the image that this was done in a back yard.

Long exposure + negative space + the a sense of anonymity from not showing his eyes makes this picture for me. What does it do for you? Good or bad.

Grandpa Project

My grandpa Victor liked to sit in the same chair outside the house. I made it a project to shoot images of him there whenever I could. In each shot always the cane, the pocket protector, the chair, the watch and yes even the water hose. This shots are all from different days, some even months apart. Sadly he no longer sits in that chair. For the last couple of weeks he has been tied down (not literally) to a hospital bed. I hope this image comes back to passing cars and neighbors in real life again.

You may think "these are not the best technical taken pictures I've seen" and you're probably right. In this case other factors matter more to me.

Perspective

Sometime just changing the prespective of an image changes everything. Change the point of view when you shoot your photos. Don't just put the camera up to your eye and shoot. Get down, go high and yes even get under your subject. It won't hurt to try. It might just be a little uncomfortable.

Dia de los muertos (Day of the death)

An installation put on at the front of the Coyoacan church. The artist is representing "lost souls searching for their final destiny" with manikin-like figures made out of strands of cloth. They have no faces, but they post a very strong presence. They all lean forward a little giving a feeling of direction and movement. I didn't count, but there was definitely more than 50.

The Chapel

Chapel with in "La Cienegilla" hacienda. The hacienda belongs to a private family. Some of the land gets used for farming, some of the actual buildings as well. Most of it however is very much intact. Daniel (a son of the owner) was gracious enough to meet us there and give us a private tour. Among the number of visuals and eerie stories was the chapel. It is no longer used, but it keeps all its relics, benches etc.

Golondrinas: A melody of swallows

The state is Jalisco, the town, Lagos de Moreno. Thousands of Swallows [Golondrinas as the locals call them] migrate and settle there for a few months. Right around sunset they all settle downtown using the electricity wires as a resting/mingling spot. Among may shots and visuals they can provide. The resemblance to sheet music was the most interesting. Not only do they sing, but literally create a visual of music.

Bicentennial at the Cathedral

The movement of the Mexican independence was initiated officialy and prematurely from a church 200 years ago. The Metropolitan Cathedral lays at the heart of Mexico city. An area most commonly known as "El Zocalo". It has been the a mayor central point of Mexico for hundreds of years. Large pyramid ruins lay next to and under the cathedral. This time a year most of the buildings were adorned with the proud flag as the bicentennial of the movement of independence is celebrated.