The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

Click on an image to see it larger.
For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo
The view from Corazon del Pueblo

The hereafter re me

My photo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Guelaguetza in Reyes Etla

This is one of the best things I am lucky enough to see each year and this installment of the gulaguetza in nearby Reyes Etla was simply fantastic.
The feria de queso and quesillo is right next to the dancing and the setting is gorgeous.  And the dancers presented one gorgeous swirl of motion after another to try and capture.
 
There were between 500 and 1000 people there and the whole thing felt very intimate and joyful.
We had prime seats but shooting conditions were challenging.  The was a huge green canopy covering the area so it was shaded, sheltered and dark and there was a white tent in the background.
 
It made for interesting shots.  Maybe I should have used a flash the entire time, but the event was four and a half hours long, so good luck with that.  Still, the shots were there.  Not too difficult with models like this.
No matter what, it was a great time, so much fun.  People take such pride in these traditions and the folkloric dance group, Grupo Baalache, was from Reyes and they were excellent.  They danced their asses off.  Even danced with a turkey.  And that bird could really dance.
Over four hours I shot over a thousand shots, so it will take time to go through them.
I did mange to use the white background for some silhouettes.
More to do, but it will take time.  Meanwhile, what a wonderful time.  No place I'd rather be.  

2 comments:

Bev in Connecticut said...

Great shots Chris...I love the silhouettes

Christopher Stowens said...

Bev! Gracias. It was a blast.