environmental portraiture

In 1994, I began the task of photographing people around New Mexico, initially as an environmental portraiture photography course project.  As I worked, it became quite obvious the images were taking on lives of their own, contributing to a body of work which eventually became A Place Like No Other:  people of an enchanted land, published in 2002.

In the beginning, I approached people I knew.  It was a much less painful way to give myself a firm kick in the rear to get started while I got my thoughts and objectives organized.  At that point, a leap of faith was required and I began contacting people who I thought would be good subjects, keeping my fingers crossed that each would be willing to work with a photographer who had no real reputation.  Quite a number of my scenics had been published in New Mexico Magazine, the Albuquerque Journal, the Territory Ahead catalog and Organic Gardening, but a full-blown Ansel Adams-Annie Leibovitz reputation doesn't necessarily follow that work.  It was a terrifying proposition.  But strange things started happening.  Every person I contacted (of roughly 150 people I photographed) with the exception of one, not only agreed to be part of the project, but offered other people they felt absolutely "needed" to be photographed.

Eli Brown, of Fairview and La Villita, New Mexico, was my first subject/victim.  He was a sweetheart and was extremely patient with me, while I worked around him with my 35mm Minolta.  Here is a scan of the photograph I chose for the book.

When I decided to embark on this type of environmental portraiture project again,  I chose a person with whom I knew I would be comfortable, and in turn was comfortable in front of a camera.  Bless his heart, Richard Spera agreed, and last week, we had a truly lovely session, in and out of overcast skies, at his guest house complex, Casa Gallina.

Many thanks to both of these gents for their willingness to work with me.  If you have thoughts about people who should be photographed, please email.  I am starting a new list!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

return to the dance floor

This morning, I return to the dance floor at Old Martina's Hall in Ranchos de Taos where I photographed beautiful Paloma Villa Lobos in April.  Her focus and enjoyment of Argentine tango are evident in these photographs.  She has a look that cannot be duplicated.  The first image is of Paloma with her father, Steve.

Paloma is dancing with my husband, Fred, in this shot.  The walls and interiors at Old Martina's are perfect backdrops, and courtesy of east, west, and south windows, the light is always interesting and almost perfect.

E. M. Malixi of Taos Tango, takes his turn with Paloma at the milonga or tango dance.

Thanks Paloma, Steve, Fred, and Mike!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

focus

Last week's blog featured the results of low light and moving the camera to achieve a sense of motion in the dance of Guillermo Cerneaz and Marina Kenny, tango dancers from Buenos Aires.  They were in Taos for two weeks at Taos Tango, giving private lessons, presenting workshops, and performing.  These photographs are of the couple at Old Martina's Hall in Ranchos de Taos, showing an intense but easy focus which allows their dance to be acute yet lush and supple at once.

Marina is the queen of contra-body, a position wherein the upper torso is facing Guillermo (the lead) while her lower body is twisting into a back step.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

Solstice

Those of us living in the American Southwest are spoiled.  We are blessed with massive amounts of sunshine.  So when it is overcast for any length of time, frequently, there is whining.  Little wonder why the ancients celebrated the lengthening of days, building structures that played with sun and shadow in such a way as to pinpoint the solstice.  For many, particularly those in more northern climates, the solstice celebration is more significant than any other during the winter months.

This year's solstice is Saturday, 21 December, and thus, here is my photographic toast to the season and the kinds of sunsets that only happen as longer nights envelope the daylight with mystery and hope.

Below is Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Taos with farolitos on the parapets 

a peaceful solstice to you

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

The Gorge

Although it has neither been seen nor photographed by as many people or in as many ways as the Grand Canyon, the Rio Grande and its gorge is northern New Mexico's jewel.   The massive volcanic area through which the river carved and altered the landscape, some 242,5000 acres, was named a National Monument this March.  From south to north, there are multiple approaches and ways to view it.  Two overlooks along Highway 68 north from Espanola to Taos are stunning, but the second of these provides almost a roller coaster effect of rising and then sinking slightly, revealing the Gorge in a truly stunning way.  It literally takes your breath away, if just for a moment.

North of the Gorge Bridge, there are a number of overlooks and camp sites which offer totally different visions of the area.  

However you choose to view El Rio, I highly recommend this time of year.  It is a bit cooler, and the light is perfect for photographing the Gorge and the bridge as well.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

August recess

President Obama is on holiday this week at Martha's Vineyard, members of Congress are on their August recess, and many are headed to the mountains or beach.  But some students are already preparing for the school year, and the plant world takes no holiday.  Some plants are just now joining the color parade.  Sunflowers line the highways, along with skyrocket gilia and assorted penstemons, and gaillardia.  Everyone who is growing greens and lettuce knows that this is their season in the high country.

So kudos this week to the miracle of nature and the edibles that seemingly pop out of the ground to nourish us and add beauty to the world.

Flashy trout's back lettuce

Sunflower

Basil

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

Blue Moon rising

On Saturday evening, the second opening was held for Intersection:  lens, light, life at La Tienda Exhibit space in Eldorado.  The absolute highlight of the evening was the music of Blue Moon Prairie, a phenomenal group of woman from northern New Mexico, playing their own special brand of music.  What I would call Rocky Mountain folk, it contains threads of blues, country, and folk music that weaves stories the way good music should.  Caroline Jenney, Robyn Adams, and Laura Melanie Stein sometimes whaled on their guitars, mandolins, and keyboard, and at other times slowed it down to reach way down into the soul.  Their voices and harmony added another instrument to the blend.

This Thursday evening, 25 July, Blue Moon Prairie will open Taos Plaza Live! at 6 p.m. (on the plaza in Taos).   I encourage everyone to catch their opening act.

Here are some shots of them in action.

 Laura Melanie Stein

Caroline Jenney

Robyn Adams

and a few details...

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

Fashion week...in Taos?

It is spring.  The wind is blowing, the snow has disappeared below 7,500 feet elevation, and bulbs are out of the ground, ready to produce an abundance of color.  Spring and summer clothing is slowly making its way out of closets, so why not call it "fashion week in Taos?"

I had an extraordinary opportunity to do a product/fashion shoot at Taos Fiber Arts this week.  Owners Julie and Ashley Cloutman were organized, ready, and excited about giving some of their work a whirl on the wood, flagstone, and adobe runways.

The shoot could not have been better.  Ashley is the consummate model, the sun played games giving equal amounts of shadow and softness, and the breeze provided, gratis, that "wind in the hair look".  Note what the mother-daughter team describe as "Zombie couture" felted jeans jacket.

For this image, I wanted to make sure that the tree's shadow did not produce "hatchet" lighting.  With the partly cloudy sky, a nice softness fell on Ashley's face.  Fred Black's "Ganado red" rug, # 168, provides a popping backdrop. 

More "zombie couture" with fill/reflected light courtesy of the white walls

There will be more images from this shoot in next week's blog.  Too many good ones not to share!

Thanks, Julie, Ashley, and Fred!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image  

and the award goes to...

Last night, the Academy Awards or Oscars were awarded in Hollywood, concluding the media awards season in America.

In keeping with the tuxedos and formals, black and white, and stardom, here are two American tango rock stars, E. M. Malixi and Carrie Field at their Taos Tango studio.

Two more tango dancers in a close embrace - John Henry of Double Time Dance Studio in Albuquerque, and Heather Herd of Santa Fe.

The ceremonies remind us that every human being shines at some point in life.  Our duty is to see those sparkling moments, in others as well as ourselves.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

comforts of home

A bit of a cold snap has been with us since the beginning of the year in northern New Mexico.  Until this morning, the lows have all been below 0 F and the highs have yet to reach freezing or 32 degrees F.  Nothing  diminishes the chill like the comforts of home, in this case, the holiday rentals at Casa Gallina in Taos.  Owner Richard Spera makes sure his guests are embraced by their surroundings.  This room makes me want to dissolve into the chair and say "Ah."

The colors and shapes of the plaster in the stairwell of another casita is just one the surprises guests encounter.

Having graduated Cornell's Hotel and Restaurant Management School, and being the ultimate host, Richard makes sure that the casitas not only come with the most interesting art and furnishings, but with a sampling of wonderful snacks that welcome each guest.

With a name like Casa Gallina, it is all about the chickens.  Here is the welcome sculpture and a few of the real greeters.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

A new year

A pot of pinto beans is simmering, snow is falling, and a new year is poised to open. What represents the new, rebirth, life, or opportunity more than water, in whatever form it takes.  It is unmatched in  persistent strength and unerring dedication to its course.

The acequia system in northern New Mexico is centuries old but is alive and well, providing the life blood for farmers both large and small.  A branch of this system runs through Casa Gallina in Taos.  Owner Richard Spera says that regardless how much ice builds on the surface during the winter, the acequia water always flows beneath it. Double clicking will enable you to see the ice detail.

Even icicles eventually change form and release waster to the earth.

So as the curtain is raised on 2013, may the water of life nourish and inspire us to respect, cherish, and nurture all that is Planet Earth.

until next year,

DB

a passion for the image

Building doors

It is Christmas Eve.  A day when many of the world's children await a visit from Santa Claus or St. Nikolas, and have images of Santa working feverishly in his shop, preparing gifts, and packing the sleigh.

Many men and women are builders and woodworkers.  Some, like William Bufkin of Taos, are extremely skilled at what they do. Buf allowed me to hang around his shop last week and photograph him while he was working on doors for a home remodel.  He began by visually sizing up planks of western red cedar, seeing how the grains and textures might work together and complement each other.

In the image below, the trueness of the plank is checked.

Buf blows the sawdust away following with each pass of the saw.

Planeing the plank

Thanks, Buf!

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

Wooly weekend

My weekend was spent surrounded by fiber, which was very good because it was a chilly but beautiful one in Kit Carson Park.  For everyone involved in the 29th annual Wool Festival in Taos, life revolves around the animals and fibers they produce.  Sheep fleeces represent the largest part, but alpaca, llama, and rabbit also provide lustrous additions to the mix.  The vendors are incredibly dedicated to their animals, and to the exactness of the arts and crafts they produce. 

My husband, Fred, a real Renaissance Man, who has been both an architect and commercial airline pilot, is a weaver of Rio Grande and architectural style rugs.  He uses 100% Navajo churro wool from Connie Taylor, the national registrar for churro sheep in the United States.  She hand-dyes all the wool in the most amazing palette of colors.

When Fred is working on a rug, using a Rio Grande style walking loom, he generally does a combination of one color lines, shooting a shuttle across the width of the loom.  When tapestry is used to create a specific shape, it requires feeding pieces of wool under every other strand of warp (the vertical strands you see on the loom below that become the fringe at the end of the rug).  This process is reversed going the opposite direction after the using the beater bar to tightly pack the previous run of wool.

Here is a photograph of Fred and his loom with a rug in progress.  The turquoise designs at the end of the rug are considered tapestry.

One of his Frank Lloyd Wright/Charles Rennie Mackintosh-inspired pieces that was on display at the Taos Fall Arts Festival.

until next Monday

DB

a passion for the image

along the highway

The season of gold has begun in the southern Rocky Mountains.  Snakeweed, sunflowers and other assorted members of the Asteraceae (sunflower) family dot the earth and fill the borrow ditches along highways.  Even in our land of little rain, it is always astonishing to see how big sunflowers become, courtesy of highway runoff.  In the University of Wyoming field guide Weeds of the West, the common sunflower is described as an annual, growing from one to ten feet tall.  I have seen some that are at least six feet tall.  Pretty decent for a short growing season and fairly dry conditions.  And there is nothing like that New Mexico gold against a brilliant summer sky.

The light and shadow on the interior of these sunflowers seems almost edible to me.

I will be keeping my eyes peeled along the highways.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image

Skyward

You were right, Andrea, when you said "I bet I know what Daryl's blog will be this week".  She, my husband, Fred, and other fellow tango dancers had just finished two classes and a practice session at Taos Tango, when the Taos fireworks display began less than a mile away from the studio.  We had front row seats!

I don't always take my camera with me, but because of the recent thunderstorms, I decided to take it just in case a weather or other phenomenon presented itself.  Because my photographic expertise does not include night time photography, I was not even thinking about photographing fireworks.  But about ten minutes into the show, it occurred to me that I had my camera and might be able to get some decent shots.  Using my forehead as a stabilizer, I held the shutter open for 2 to 15 seconds and hoped for the best.  What the lens and processor captured blew me away.

Zooming in reveals particles of light combined together to make rope, loosely woven cloth, palm trees, jellyfish and other assorted fauna and flora.

Please forgive the overload, but it was too much fun not to share!  I hope you can click on each image and view a larger version.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image