Extreme Confidence

I think it’s good overall, but the elders with it are the ones I listen to. They’ve been through life and all it has to offer. I used to be so sure of myself in my younger days. The older I get, the less I seem to know. Always examining things. The elders sure about their purpose are the models. Decades of experience and uncertainty and still going strong.

I occasionally watch those YouTube videos where the guy asks strangers “what does it feel like to be 70?” type of questions. Some of the elders are still figuring it out. Odds are, I’ll be and so will you. Beauty of life.

My Best Black and White Photos – 2023

I finally organized my best black and white photos from 2023. This year has been odd. I spent the first two months fighting the SoCal flu. Not sure how it happened but we all had it and I didn’t feel right for months. The weather here has been cold and gloomy by our standards. So I wasn’t feeling all that great about my progress this year. But after going through my photos, I have nothing to complain about. My best year for photos. I have about 150 of my best b/w photos on here. I’m lucky to live in such a fruitful area for street photography. 150 photos is a lot, but they are all solid street photos. Maybe a few gems in there, but I’m in no position to determine that.

New Challenges

I’ve thought a lot about why I like to do street photography. Ultimately at the root, it’s because it’s challenging. Until it’s not. At this point in my photo journey, I can come back with a few good photos anytime I shoot. I live in a very fruitful area and maybe my standards are too low. But not the point. It doesn’t feel challenging enough. I thought a few months ago, it’s time to get good at shooting color. So I traded my Q2M for an M10P. Then I dedicated myself to shooting color and in a short amount of time, became way better at processing my color photos. I’m definitely not a colorist..whatever that means but I’m happy enough with the processing. Now that I’ve completed the color challenge and I’m getting good photos anytime I go out, time for the next one.

So I bought a bunch of film and all the stuff to develop at home. I’ve always preferred film, but not the price or the weird results I’d often get going to labs. Especially with black and white photos. Turns out I can shoot a roll of HP5+ and process and scan at home for around $9 a roll. Even if I shoot 20 rolls a month, which I probably won’t. It’s the cost of a few meals in LA. So film it is. Time to figure out which chemicals I like the most and get started on the next chapter.

Mom

She hates looking at photos of herself. Surprisingly, she loved this photo which if funny to me because it shows her addiction to ice cream. Look how much ice cream is in the freezer. It’s always nice when I visit home. During my last trip to Cincinnati I remembered how much I like it. Home really is where the heart is and making photos of people you love and in an area you’re familiar with hits differently.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/195573219@N08/52971011688/in/dateposted-public/

Using a Fun Camera

The goal is to have fun with photography. Use whatever camera that allows you to have the most fun. I wouldn’t worry about specs or even the camera that you take the most “good” photos. That shouldn’t be a consideration as there’s no way to sustain taking good photos with a camera you don’t like using. You’ll eventually dump it for the more fun camera. Thinking about the most fun cameras I’ve ever used. List goes like this.

  1. Any Leica M although I think film Leica’s are more fun than digital.
  2. Leica Q2 Monochrom
  3. Fujifilm X-Pro 1. My first real camera and it was a blast to use.
  4. Nikon D700. Sleeper camera but amazing.
  5. Any Ricoh GR. They are all basically the same.

I’ve tried a lot of cameras. I think this is where I’m at but maybe I’m forgetting something.

Pollo Campero

It’s the KFC of Guatemala and El Salvador. It’s a Guatemalan company, but actually seems more popular in El Salvador. The taste is a bit different in El Salvador, too. You can get a family meal that feeds six for under $30. It’s great. They also serve the classic Salvadoran breakfast which by the way could be the tastiest breakfast in history. You find them everywhere. My first time to El Salvador, it was the very first thing I ate.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/195573219@N08/52962865089/in/album-72177720308952743/

Exploitation

“the action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work.”

Seems to be a common thought about photographing people from poor neighborhoods and/or countries. I think it’s total BS. Look at this lady below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/195573219@N08/52962855349/in/album-72177720308952743/

Does she look exploited? I saw her working behind these huge slabs of meat in an El Salvador mercado. There were a few other meat vendors working beside her. This scene was fascinating to me. I’d never seen anything like it. I sat back and photographed from a distance. Her and the other vendors were all watching me. I highly doubt gringos visit this mercado. They were very interested in what I was doing. I walked around for a bit, bought a hat and circled back to her. This time as I circled back, for some reason she really stuck out. I had to ask her for a photo. She was so thrilled and proud of her work. She was happy I noticed her stall, happy that I was happy to photograph her. She stood proud and looked at her vendor friends with a look of excitement. It was a great experience for all of us. We were all smiling and having a good time. But edgy online nerds who have never left their city will tell you this is exploitation.

I See You

If you are serious about street photography then you recognize the ones who put in the time and work. You cannot become “good” at street photography unless you put in the work. Basically shoot everyday, every month, every year. It takes dedication. You have to make it part of your life. Respect to everyone torturing themselves with this addictive craft.