This new blog, titled Moments, may come as a surprise to many of you. I used to publish regularly for many years, then I lost the habit and shifted mostly to Instagram, often with just a short caption, occasionally a paragraph or two to share the creative vision behind the lens as another teaching tool.
I think some moments deserve a more personal experience that social media can no longer offer. Of course, Instagram will remain the platform where I share my most recent work, but sometimes you want more than a split-second scroll. A little more substance. My own words to reflect on a moment lived and captured through my camera.
I hope this blog serves that purpose, and that you’ll subscribe to follow along for the next teaching moment.
Welcome to the first post…
THE PARADE
I led a photography workshop in Oaxaca, Mexico a few weeks ago. I arrived a couple of days early to roam the vibrant streets of one of my favorite Mexican destinations.
If you know me, you know that my favorite thing to do when I’m alone with my camera is to get lost on purpose. That’s exactly what I was doing that day when, in the distance, I heard marching band music. I followed the sound and soon stumbled upon a large parade.
I later learned it was the closing ceremony of a national event where 1,000 students from 41 technological institutes were performing. Truth be told, as a photographer, I’m not a big fan of large events. However, crowds offer a unique opportunity, and a challenge, to find the moments in between, the less obvious ones that tell the real story.
That’s exactly what happened at this moment. I noticed two young girls, sisters, perhaps, watching the marching bands from their doorway. As a street photographer, it was precisely the kind of moment I live for. I paused, waited for the next group to enter the frame, and pressed the shutter.
The musicians enter the scene with a dynamic step, the girl on the left has a playful gesture whereas the other has both feet in plastic bags and seems bored. These details make the photograph more personal by creating an unexpected juxtaposition that resonates with the viewer.
Although I explored light and color extensively on this trip (and shared many color shots on Instagram recently), the choice of black and white here was intentional. It allows the viewer to focus on the action without the distraction of vivid colors.
This was one of the first frames I captured on the trip. It was a wonderful start to an unforgettable week of photography, authentic experiences, and friendships. I can’t way to visit again!
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts :)