Until when? - 2011

For the final project I took a current theme that by the time I write this is still unresolved: the current violence happening in Mexico.

As a fellow Mexican, I know two things about my people: The first one is that culturally we've been a violent country, because we've been violated too many times. The Second thing is exactly that: the perpetrators are no longer outsiders, but ourselves. This is not about domination from foreign ideologies, is about us surviving. We want justice, but we despise the methods to bring it.

The unequal distribution of the economy and the unresolved needs of the people have led the people to become ferocious animals, where surviving is the only thing that matters. Hunger driving the ones pulling the trigger and Gluttony as a motive on the other side. And us, the ones in the middle we can't do much.

Terrorized by the delinquents, who usually have the upper hand when it comes to force, we are the victims of our fellow men. We then turn to the authorities, the ones supposed to be doing something but half the time they simply don't care, as their own well being is not being disrupted.

It's a tricky situation: We empathize with the perpetrators, because they are the son of our neighbor or the shady kid we grew with, and we loathe the justice bringers, for they are different and they live away from this pain, in their fortified mansions. Yet, we want them to solve our problem. We tend to think "If only they knew what I'm passing through they'd solve it"

Indeed, empathy is a needed skill for our leaders. But what about us? Do we have the empathy we are talking about? Do we care for others? Do we seek the well being of our country? After all, the cops and the robbers come from only one place: from the people, from the ones being called "the victims".

Until when will this problem stop?

Until we take the matter in our own hands. There's only one way, and whether we like it or not, it's on us. It's on us to seek for better opportunities, as we know the Government will not do much about this and they will not hand them to us in a silver tray. It's on us to share the little goods we have with others that haven't had the luck we had. It's on us to be faithful to each other, honest and caring, it's on us to care for somebody else other than myself.

It's a beautiful country, indeed, but there are just too many jerks living on it right now.

Paper Personas

Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

Part 1:

Composition: A series of six pictures, all with the same lightining and portrayed by the same actor using the same styling, all presenting six characters just made by the usage of paper props.

Concept: Constructed identities.

Method: Constructed identities is fun! So I decided to move away from just playing on screen but also playing with the items. I have already played with masks and paper cutouts, so I decided to take it to next level by creating this sort of funny looking props and interpreting a character all with the usage of the prompts.

Motivations: Fun and Experimentation. It was all based on the simple question as to why do we

Context: Constructed reality. I think some other photographers have done constructed identities, but I wanted to go the next step beyond which would be interacting with them.

Part 2

Interpretation: The audience loved it. They thought it was clever and funny and I think so too!.

Evaluation: Maybe add more props? i think the series is completed in it's own particular way, but definitively I'll add more props next time.

Extension: The final project deals with constructed identities out of paper, so I think I'm on my right track.

The Breakup - 2011

Part 1:

Composition: A tryptic of images depicting two characters having an argument. Both of them are played by the same actor.

Concept: Constructed identities. A breakup.

Method: I created two characters that looked fundamentally different one from the other but were in the same space and interacted one with each other, which is the next step to just constructing reality. The key element was keeping the same lightning and having a reference point so both characters could interact with each other.

Motivations: Fun and Experimentation. It is also based on my personal story. When I was in therapy, the doctor told me that one way to release anger was roleplaying the other person I was involved with and let him know what I wanted him to know. After passing through a heavy break up I portray both characters on the relationship as best as I could.

Context: Constructed reality. I think some other photographers have done constructed identities, but I wanted to go the next step beyond which would be interacting with them.

Part 2

Interpretation: People were intrigued but they did not capture much of the drama or the narrative behind it. Maybe it was because of the lack of a backstory.

Evaluation: One way I think of making it more impacting and interesting would be to recreate the characters and make them completely different and more relatable and easy to read.

Extension: The final project deals with dualities, two sides of the same coin and constructed identities.

He Said, She said - 2011

Part 1:

Composition: On camera collage of two magazines ads, one of them showing a guy in fashion clothing and the other being a girl in a car for a language advertisement, with lighting coming from the back.

Concept: Constructed reality and imagination

Method: I cut both of the advertisement to fit together and then they were placed one over the other. The idea was to be fun and it has no concept and thought behind other than just being two images and I am expecting people to come with their own interpretations, that's why text was removed and his mouth was placed.

Motivations: Fun and Experimentation.

Context: Constructed reality.

Part 2

Interpretation: People thought it was funny and they thought the idea was creative and original, however, there was not much to say about it. The photo probably wasn't as impacting as nobody really was looking for a story here.

Evaluation: I think I can do it more impacting and interesting.

Extension: I like the idea of playing with paper and constructed realities.

Nope - 2011

Part 1:

Composition: An image of a hand showing a piece of paper in front of a building and the piece of paper contains a funny drawing based on the lines of the building behind it.

Concept: Constructed reality and imagination

Method: I took three pictures. The first one was focused on the building and had a small aperture. The second one was focused on the hand and had a large aperture. The third one was the drawing made entirely digital and all of them were composed on photoshop using masks and layers.

Motivations: Fun and Experimentation.

Context: Constructed reality.

Part 2

Interpretation: People thought it was funny and they thought the idea was creative and original.

Evaluation: I had some problems with the pictures because of the focus and the blur it gives, however, after a little bit of planning I decided to switch from the drawing to be made traditionally to be completely digitally.

Extension: I like the idea of playing with paper and constructed realities.

Sequence 1

First Attempt of Stop Motion animation

In Class Photo

LOL-BO.

In Class Assignment - Constructed Realities

Me - 2011

Part 1:

Composition: A dyptic of two pictures that present a subject lit with natural lighting from the back that comes through a curtain.In one of the pictures the subject is looking outside and beyond and in the other he is looking through a hand mirror to the audience.

Concept: Identity and how we portray ourselves

Method: Natural lighting on the background and carefully frame the camera to be able to reflect the face of the subject..

Motivations: I was just looking for a cool way to portray myself in a selfportrait that didn't looked like one or had like a cool effect.

Context: Identity.

Part 2

Interpretation: People were interested on the picture and they thought it was a cool idea.

Evaluation: I think that the picture was too dark when printed, which led the medium tones to be almost darkened and removed. Still, the dramatic effect of the lighting made a strong dramatic impression on the picture.

Extension: self portraits are really really fun and I can see myself playing with this idea in the future. Maybe even making it part of my style.

Los Chicos del A (The guys from Class A) - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: A polyptic displaying 36 pictures of 9 different characters in a single fashion, with dramatic lighting and all of them using the same single white shirt, tie and different elements portrayed by the same subject.

Concept: Nicknames and how we push people into these roles

Method: One single lamp used directed at the subject with a black background and the contrast of the shirt against the background make him stand out and focus all of the attention on the performance.

Motivations: Transgression. I think that I was pushed into a role that I was not sure that I wanted to portray and slowly, I've been trying to pull myself out of it. Years of feeling inadequate have made me come to realize that I was only role playing socially speaking and that we still do role play. But now that I am aware of that, I wish to make others be aware of this situation so they can get a hold of their script on this screenplay.

Context: Yearbook photos, theater and stage play.

Part 2
Interpretation: People were interested, thrilled yet somewhat they withdrawn to make any sort of comments. I think they did understand it and that's why they made more comments on the digitally enhanced series rather than this.

Evaluation: I think that some of the pictures can see the background sheet. I am not sure if I want to remove as this sort of element makes me remember of a theater or a stage which is, again, part of the concept.

Extension: self portraits seem to be fun and engaging because they have made me realize of so many things by thinking them out and performing them. I want to keep on doing them, but I guess that I should be more aware of posing and actually try to over express a little bit for the camera to make it obvious and easily readable.

The three identities of the gamer - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: A four piece picture that is based on Gee's theory of gaming. A single subject is placed naked on the background, then placed on first plane expressing emotions and a pixel version of that subject is placed in the middle. Finally, the fourth piece is the subject with a pixelated face playing out a videogame.

Concept: Videogames and theories on them.

Method: natural lighting and photoshop. All the pictures were taken with a natural lighting setting and in the most natural environment possible.

Motivations: Videogames are a huge part of my life and I wanted to convey something that spoke out personally and completely from the stand of videogame theory. I find amazing how this scholar described the process of playing as a three dimensional experience composed by the real self, the gamer self and the actual persona that you are imposed to play.

Context: Videogames and technology.

Part 2
Interpretation: People were intrigued and interpreted the way it was intended. People thought it was fun and cool.

Evaluation: The audience was interested on the piece, and even though they did not knew about the theory, they did understood the different roles portrayed here.

Extension: I like portraying myself in different roles and doing these personal roles that I play with every time I play seemed like fun. I might follow it for a final presentation.

I am (NOT) a Model - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: A dyptic of a subject reenacting poses from original male models with the subject wearing a mask made out of face cutouts from the original picture.

Concept: Take fun on Advertising photography

Method: Two lamps placed one on the back and one on the front, with a background halfway falling to give this appearance of "cheap" or "tacky" looking and the subject in this awkward and uncomfortable poses that are familiar on advertising photography

Motivations: Transgression. I am personally sick of these media images of how to look and how to be in order to achieve success. I wanted to do something that would counter attack them.

Context: Advertisement and the cult to "beautiful" boys.

Part 2
Interpretation: People were amazed, surprised and uncomfortable by the pictures..

Evaluation: People were interested by the pieces, however, due the small size they were overpowered by the other two pieces.

Extension: Again, I am done with social constructs by now. I can see myself playing with this fashion idea, yet my self-esteem and the audience will appreciate the fact of me going out of my comfort zone and not have more self portraits.

Fashion Forward - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: Two pictures that compose this idea of "fashion" in which the model is placed in awkward poses, ephimeral and somewhat funny.

Concept: Take fun on Fashion photography

Method: I used two lamps and my background wall. Most of the poses were imitation of "Haute Couture" fashion forward runways.

Motivations: Transgression. Me being a graphic designer and a communicator, I know of the little tricks and cheats that we do in order to make somebody look better. We deceive people into believing that the social construct that we present to them is actually real, when is just that: a construction.

Context: Fashion and the cult behind it.

Part 2
Interpretation: People were interested but not really that intrigued by the pictures, maybe because the other two prints run over them and were far more impressive.

Evaluation: The audience was interested and thrilled, yet they were not as drawn as to the other pieces.

Extension: I am done with social constructs by now. I can see myself playing with this fashion idea, yet my self-esteem and the audience will appreciate the fact of me going out of my comfort zone and not have more self portraits.

Arcana No. 6 - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: Two pictures that compose one single idea of a "human" in a pasive stance waiting, and a human in a active stance, also waiting. Both of them are in the bed and are misterious, eery and surreal.

Concept: Based on "The Lovers" by Magrite.

Method: I wanted to create an eery love scene with both subjects being unable for the reader to relate, thus I took away all of the facial features. I wanted to convey a powerful scene, in which body language had an impact and to fool the audience.

Motivations: play, as in "fun" and as in "theatrical representation".

Context: I am thrilled, excited and lured by Magritte's "The Lovers" and everything surreal. I consider myself, as an artist, a surrealist

Part 2
Interpretation: People were surprised and taken back by it. It was difficult to read, yet it was striking and had an impact. The Active Lover had glasses which made people able to relate to him, however the Pasive Lover was much more surprising and striking for the audience.

Evaluation: Get better lighting. Try other poses. It's hard with no remote control on my hands and it's difficult to pose... however I really like how the pictures turned in.

Extension: I want to keep on "performing" for the camera, and try pictures that are striking, revealing, powerful and somewhat distinct than what we are often accustomed to see.

Nuevo Dia (New Day) - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: A man is looking on the left third of the picture through a window that enlightens everything around him. Sheets spread all over the floor can be seen as he walks over them with his bare foot.

Concept: Masks. Comfort.

Method: As I was looking for places on my home, I found that the window had a soft tone that I really loved and I liked how the light came in and illuminated everything on the floor. So I decided to portray that and take the "intimate" approach, as the scene looked really comforting. Then I added the idea of a shirt and a window, to represent how we portray ourselves to society and how society really watches us.

Motivations: Experimentation.

Context: Personally I am always interested on how we are in front of others and how we really are. I think we are unaware of the inner workings of our feelings, mind and everything behind that supports us, just as our feet, yet we suit ourselves to others.

Part 2
Interpretation: Not everybody got the concept, and it was a cool picture, though nobody really noticed it. I think it's due the fact I had too many strong pictures next to each other and the size wasn't really that big.

Evaluation: I think I am missing some details on the textures. I think a better camera or a wider aperture would have come in handy.

Extension: I would definitively pursue this idea of "masking" between what we are and what we present to others to what we are.

De la Luz (From Light) - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: A high contrast picture of a man walking towards the light. The aperture and the speed of the photography make the picture eery and misterious, shadows are seen, but the aperture makes the light fill in details of the stair that makes everything so heavenly like.

Concept: Mistery.

Method: Again, when presented with "places" I wanted to create places just by using little resources.

Motivations: Experimentation and play.

Context: When finding places on my house, everyday places, I thought of "Stairway to Heaven" and "Stairway to Hell" kinda concept for me to play with it. This is the Starway to Heaven.

Part 2
Interpretation: The same in "De la Oscuridad", the camera placing and the light made them not recognize if the figure is comming or going, though this "heavenly" aura was not completely perceived.

Evaluation: I think that in order to create the "heavenly" aura that I want to portray maybe I need a bigger aperture and less time.

Extension: I am not sure if I want to follow this whole place idea, however I like the idea of finding everyday places and turn them into dream like places just by using camera angles and lighting.

De la Oscuridad (From Darkness) - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: A high contrast picture of a man walking towards the light. The aperture and the speed of the photography make the picture eery and misterious as only shadows and silhouettes can be seen.

Concept: Mistery.

Method: When presented with "places" I wanted to create places just by using little resources. I found out that light and camera angle can create a powerful picture with no need to create or look for "fancy" places.

Motivations: Experimentation and play.

Context: When finding places on my house, everyday places, I thought of "Stairway to Heaven" and "Stairway to Hell" kinda concept for me to play with it.

Part 2
Interpretation: Everyone was surprised by the context. The camera placing and the light made them not recognize if the figure is comming or going. So I think I did a good job on portraying something "misterious".

Evaluation: I'd wish I had a powerful camera to capture all of the little details. But I think that I did ok overall.

Extension: I am not sure if I want to follow this whole place idea, however I like the idea of finding everyday places and turn them into dream like places just by using camera angles and lighting.

Class Portrait

It's not my fault! freeballing feels amazing! ;)

Surprise - 2011

Part 1:
Composition: Another high contrast image with a bulb lighting from the bottom a box, surounded by the darkness in the lower third at the center. Taken with large aperture and quick shutter speed.

Concept: Surprise. There is a playful element on surprise that is always delightful.

Method: Again, more experimentation. When playing with light, I decided to "encase" and point the light to a specific spot, however I found that hard and used a nearby box. As I was framing the picture, I couldn't help and try a "sneak peek" sort of composition, that's why I left much of the space of the bulb without showing and much of it darkened in order to emphasize this mystery surrounding what's inside the box.

Motivations: Experimentation and play. I just wanted to play with the light but not by painting with it, but by using many other elements with it. I think it came fine with the limited resources I had.

Context: I wanted to convey a strong emotional feeling of surprise, and I think that symbolically I managed to achieve it, by getting this "mystery" overtone with the darkness and dark grays surrounding a barely visible but well lighted element.

Part 2
Interpretation: Everyone was amazed and wondering as to how I created this picture. I do believe that it was easy to accomplish. I believe that the Surprise element was still there if the public was awed by it.

Evaluation: I would change or try to come with a better exposure so we can capture all of the little details on the bulb and on the box.

Extension: I like the photos where the light is the element, so this would be a good starting point to create a series of pictures where light is the main element or subject.

Instability - 2011

Part 1
Composition: slightly tilted photo with a casual natural lighting on a very slow shutter speed that allows a speed blur on the moving subject that is casually located on the counter side of the window bar, which are carefully located to have this sense of paralel lines, thus giving a sense of balance and composition using the golden points.

Concept: This semester has been in many ways, the end of many things and the beginning of so many others. I think this representation comes carefully as the subject goes out of the frame, but at the same time, it's entering to the frame.

Method: Again, more experimentation using slow shutter speed and lightning. This one came easy because I used the lighting exposure from outside and then, bracketed until I got the right exposure. The pose and models were entirely spontaneous, which is why this one is my top favorite.So I decided for people moving from one place to the other and I found a great spot at International Center were people would not notice my presence (or won't be bothered by) and decided to do as many shots as I could.

Motivations: I wanted to give this sense of "speed" but at the same time, I didn't wanted the old topics. What I really like is this misterious feeling that you can get from the photo and from the spountaneity of it, due the lightning, the tone and the fact that the model is another part of the photograph and not the main subject.

Context: I wanted to convey a strong emotional feeling that could be interpreted in an easier way without going for the obvious.

Part 2
Interpretation: Although it's a very personal photography, few got my idea. However, the idea of being "left aside" and "forgotten" was still present as one of the classmates pointed that she was reminded of a zoo scene, and the picture taken from the reptile zone which is often overlooked or ignored by the public, because the animals are repulsive.

Evaluation: I think that this photo stands on it's own and I definitively like it as one of my favorites. I wouldn't dare to change anything, and although it might have a few errors (as contrast or lighting) such errors work in a fine way that leave a strong impression on the viewer.

Extension: I would like to try and do a project where people actually help me in spontaneous pictures but without being asked for help, and as well, where they are not the main focus of the portrait but an outstanding element of their own.