Professional photographer Mark Pollard from Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area has taken photos around the world but had never been to Oaxaca, Mexico before. Mark joined us for the 2012 Day of the Dead Photography Expedition because he wanted to work alongside and get portfolio feedback from our workshop leader Bill Bamberger.
Mark selected ten photos to represent his best of the week.
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Photo 1: (Left) Masquerade Parade along Macedonia Alcala. Photo 2: (Right) Girl with hanging bottles, by Mark Pollard.
Photo 3: Lighting candles at the Xoxocotlan cemetery, Oaxaca, Mexico by Mark Pollard, who says, “The grave yard at Xoxocotlan was most memorable for me. A fantastic experience that produced some engaging photos. Time there with the group and on my own was well-balanced, and so this was both a fun night out and the best way to share the experience with local people.”
Photo 4: Mark captured this ethereal vision of Monte Alban from a different perspective. We had a chance to see the world through his eyes, too.
“It was valuable for me to see images that others [in the workshop] took that differed from my own — seeing through their eyes will help break me out of some of my habits and experiment more,” says Mark.
Photo 5: Mark steps right in to get close to his subjects and loved photographing the comparsas on the street. They are a combination of street theatre, mime and parade.
Photo 6: (Left). He captured the texture and color of this sand sculpture perfectly, and gave us the beautiful portrait in Photo 7 (right) of Teotitlan del Valle host Luvia Lazo.
“I found the planning to be thoughtful and comprehensive. Adjustments were made that reflected the wishes of the group. Bill did an excellent job in providing instruction without overly directing our work,” says Mark.
Photo 8: In Mark’s work we saw that there is beauty in simplicity. Here he captured a family portrait married with sublime Oaxaca color.
Photo 9: In search of another comparsa, Mark ended up in Jalatlaco to find the parade of the skeletons, a wall mural and a street reveler waiting for the parade to begin.
Photo 10: And back on Macedonio Alcala, this parade featured a re-enactment of guiding the spirits back to the underworld lured by the aroma of copal incense and cempasuchitl, and the glorious color of cockscomb.
Mark Pollards adds, “I would strongly suggest this trip to others and will do so — a perfect introduction to this time of year in Oaxaca.”
For information about the 2013 Day of the Dead Photography Expedition in Oaxaca, please contact me!
Taking registrations now for Street Photography in Oaxaca starting January 16, 2013.
Best of Week Day of the Dead Photographs: Sara E. Thomas
Sara, who goes by Liz, is an inveterate traveler, accomplished intermediate-level photographer and fluent Spanish speaker. While this was her first visit to Oaxaca, Liz, who holds the B.A. in Spanish from the University of Oklahoma, participated in student exchange programs and extensive independent travel in Spain, other parts of Mexico, Central and South America. She now lives near Cincinnati, Ohio.
Photo 1: Teotitlan del Valle weaver Pedro Mendoza and his family hosted Liz along with fellow workshop participant Deby Thompson during the November 2 All Souls’ Day observance for Day of the Dead in the village. Liz and Deby had dinner with the family and went with them to their gravesite at the cemetery. We embed our participants with families so they better understand and appreciate the local traditions.
Photo 2: Guiding the dead spirits, by Liz Thomas.
Liz says, “The total immersion was the best part of this program, and the host family experience goes beyond any normal ‘tour’ we could have when visiting Oaxaca.”
Photo 3: The offering, by Liz Thomas, who says, “I would recommend this program to others, especially if you are interested in weaving, traditions and getting out of daily life at home. Overall excellent itinerary and planning!”
Photo 4: (Left), Omar Chavez Santiago, age 19, at the loom. Photo 5: (Right), hand-woven, naturally dyed rugs at the home studio of Omar’s family, Chavez Santiago Family Weavers.
Photo 6: (Left), Wool on spindles. Photo 7: (Right), Mariachi minstrel on Macedonio Alcala during a Day of the Dead comparsa. Note the spider in the hole of the sound box.
Photo 8: At the Xoxoxcotlan cemetery Liz captures the magic of the night and the illumination of candlelight on the faces of those sitting vigil waiting for their loved ones to arrive.
Photo 9: (Left), the folk art pottery of Teodora Blanco‘s son Luis Garcia Blanco from Santa Maria Atzompa. We went there after a lovely, cool morning walking the archeological site of Monte Alban. Photo 10: (Right), the Comparsa Girls.
Photo 10: Liz gave us this beautiful shot of Monte Alban, taken from the heights of the north section. The buildings dating from 100-600 CE are like sculpture against the 9,000 foot mountain backdrop.
“Bill [Bamberger] was very accessible, easy-going and accommodating. He gave me excellent advice on editing and preparing a portfolio,” says Liz.
Photo 11: I’d call this one Oblivious! What would you say. Liz captured Love On The Street perfectly. Despite the fact that a full comparsa was underway on the street in front of them, this young couple was concentrating on what was most important — each other. A whole line up of snuggling couples was as interesting as the masquerade parade going by.
Photo 12: Icon of Oaxaca, the Church of Santo Domingo is an impressive landmark. Inside, her gold gilded altar and ceiling was the envy of all of Mexico. You’ve got to get on your knees to get a wide and tall shot like this. Saludos to Liz for accomplishing that.
Did I tell you that Liz packed two Nikon cameras around her neck so she didn’t have to take the time to change out lenses?
Anyone for Street Photography in Oaxaca starting on January 16?
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Oaxaca Mexico art and culture, Photography, Workshops and Retreats
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