shutter to think

Pictures of the Year 2013 for L'Espresso Magazine

I am honored that one of my pictures from Rio's June protest was selected as part of the 2013 pictures of the year edition for L'Espresso Magazine!

Rio's pacification for the Times of London

The sushi is pretty good and the views are worth a million bucks. The word slums often used to described the poorer surrouding areas of Rio is sort of a dated term...sadly, still used by the media. Locally, they are called communities. I've been in the homes of far worse poverty then in the favelas of Rio. The pacification process is an ambitious work in progress as we discovered during this assignment with conflicting opinions of the residents. Wandering through alleyways of the favelas looking for surprises, nice light, and the listening to the sounds of life always makes photographing interesting!

A Veteran helping veterans return to civilian life

Last month I photographed a man who is making a mark on the lives of vets returning to civilian life. Not only does he help young soldiers but he's brightening the days of older vets as well. Touching profile story for The Bay Citizen:

Veteran establishes support for others returning from war

Portrait of a Survivor

I recently met and photographed Kevin Hines, who survived a suicide off the Golden Gate Bridge, and was very touched by his story and his efforts on suicide prevention. Please read more about Kevin's story written by Louise Rafkin: Survivor of bridge jump advocates for mental healthy, safety barrier

In the vineyards for The Bay Citizen / New York Times

Last week I found myself back in the vineyards for an assignment about vineyard workers. I had forgotten how beautiful it is up there and how i miss working in this area, particularly doing stories around the migrant population and winemaking.

I was up real early to beat the approaching rain storm that would have cancelled any work that morning. Luckily it was only sprinkling and the storm gave me a an hour and half before it began to dump big drops of rain.

To read the column, click here:

Napa takes Care of Migrant Workers

US immigration policy has become so complicated and upside down that politicians just can't figure out a more efficient system to allow migrants from Central America and Mexico work legally in the U.S. Although there is a work visa, H2A, the red tape and paper work make it very daunting and nearly impossible for any company to provide visas for their workers.

Many migrant workers would tell you simply that they would much rather work legally, although most from the Napa Valley pay income tax, and have a safer journey from Mexico then the dangerous crossing that they have been doing for decades. Many Americans complain that they take away jobs from citizens, but many of those same people refuse to work these jobs the migrants do. It is a complicated and emotional issue for both sides, but the Napa Valley has figured out a way to make it work for them and the multi-million dollar wine industry.

My Year in Pictures 2010

Well here it is. I've been procrasting on posting my 2010 year in pictures because I've had such a hard time editing, but thanks to friend and photographer Kevin German who helped pretty much edited my selects from the year. And also because i've been absurdly obssesed with this particular song to go with the slideshow. For me, it sort of articulated the mood of this edit. I ended up having to cut it short, poor song, but in the end it really doesn't matter because its not about the song as it is about these pictures. Right? So if you are over it, go ahead and hit mute. Otherwise, the song is untitled, by an Icelandic band called Sigur Rós.

This is my second year working as a freelance photojournalist. It's been a year of tremendous growth in the way I photograph, what I look for, and opening my eyes up to see beyond the immediate. I especially thank my closest friends and mentors for the support and for pushing my vision. Without an agency, or a collective, or really even any proper marketing, I've managed to successfully obtain new clients, from assignment work to resales. While its great to have the support and annual get togethers, in my opinion, you don't have to be a part of a collective to make it as a photographer. You just need trusted friends, colleagues and mentors. And a home for your archive.

These 25 pictures are a cumulation of assigment and personal work. The resilency of these people i've met and photographed will always make me a stronger person. This year I continued my projects on addiction in Cambodia and Sharia law in Aceh. In Cambodia, I gained rare access to a drug detention center (or re-education center) that had been reported on for human rights abuses. I also had several incredible travel assignments from the NY Times, here in San Francisco, throughout wine country Northern California, Indonesia, and Cambodia. Foto8 featured a collaborative story on dam issues in the Mekong delta, and twice Slideluck Potshow DC selected two stories for their events.

My goal for 2011 is to refine the kind of photographer I want to be; telling stories about people and places affected by politics on a social level. I've always believed in the power of journalism, and the still image. I know that at the very least, it engages people into discussion. I prefer not to cover stories where there are dozens of photographers already there because other just-as-important stories go forgotten. And I don't have to travel (far) but I do, because these journeys have always been a part of my existence, since my first breath of life.

A Country in Mourning -

Below is an audio slideshow of my work on the aftermath of the Cambodian stampede. For licensing please email me - [email protected] - and visit my gallery or search for more images in my archive.

The military, police and event planners denied responsibility of overcrowding on the bridge, which to me, critically speaking, is clearly a failure in caring and preserving the safety of their people. I rarely cover news events such as these. It was very difficult for me to photograph at the morgue as families came to identify their loved ones. Most of the people I photographed (at the morgue) gave me permission to take their pictures. I felt it was only right to ask. 

Since the tragedy on Monday night, hundreds of people have come to the bridge (and island) to watch while the disco lights flicker. One young man called it, "ghost island." For many in disbelief, this has been a way to face the tragedy. Some take pictures. Others just sit for hours watching not knowing what else to do.

Thursday, Nov. 25 marked the day of national mourning. Hundreds of people came to pay their respects and chanted Buddhist prayers. (I am also working on another slideshow with this chanting audio).

*(also please note the music disclaimer in the credit).

Location update: SE Asia

Why do subjects get cut?

I was disappointed to find that that two subjects i photographed for a new york times assignment a few months ago were cut from a story on foreclosed assisted living homes. Their stories were touching and I was touched to be a part of their story, to photograph a bit of their lives. But sometimes, depending on the shape and where the story goes, subjects do get cut. here on my blog i have an opportunity to share these pictures, even though they didn't make it to the newspaper. the first few images were taken of an elderly couple who had to move from the assisted living home, the following last images, because it foreclosed. The owner of the business struggled to keep it open for his clients, but the bank defeated his efforts and he was unfortunately no longer able to keep it functioning.

Here's the related story: When Foreclosure Threatens Elder-Care Homes

Banda Aceh - A new veranda

On Dec. 26, 2004, water rushed into the city of Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Many thought the looming grey background was the overcast sky until the series of several large waves engulfed the city as high as four stories.

My photo essay on life in Banda Aceh post-tsunami was featured on NPR's the Picture Show recently:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/12/banda_aceh.html

and my work was also highlighted on photographer Ed Kashi's blog, who mentored me a few years ago and has seen my work develop. Ed's constant reminder to follow stories that I care about has resonated with me for many years, especially through the tough times when I was not progressing visually.  His incredible work on  photojournalism and storytelling on the effects of politics, whether through health care or natural resources can all be seen on his website and stories throughout National Geographic.

http://www.edkashi.com/blog/

The people of Banda Aceh never knew what a "normal" life was previous to the 2004 tsunami, which killed about 160,000 people in the Aceh Province of Indonesia. They lived with 30 years of war in a politically unstable region. With the help of hundreds of international aid organizations, the entire city and surrounding villages were rebuilt, leaving residents to continue on without them with the daily buzz of motorbikes and the call to prayer. And without political strife due to the signing of the 2005 Helsinki peace accords between the Indonesian military and the rebel army of the Free Aceh Movement.

 

 

 

Post-panic swine flu DF/Mexico City

Just got back from a quick overnight trip to Mexico City. DF is an amazing city and I can't wait to go back and see more....Hints of the swine flu was all around during the government-ordered 5-day shut down of the city. Masks, closed shops and partially opened restaurants offering only "para llevar", deserted streets. Imagine Manhatten x10 void of people and cars. Today, on May 6, businesses were allowed to reopen to the public. One thing for sure, however this crazy flu thing started, it will certainly add to the falling Mexican economy throughout the year, combined with the global recession, a drop in remittances, and the war on drugs. Summer plans? Travel to Mexico. There will probably be less tourists this year then previous. Here are some images from yesterday...

swine flu outbreak in mexico -- san miguel de allende

Late in the afternoon on Monday, I took a walk around the jardin (main plaza) of San Miguel (located 4 hrs north of Mexico City) to get a sense of the swine flu outbreak. So far i have been following the news online but have yet to really see anything in San Miguel...until later today. Most restaurants that cater to the tourists, have their staff wear cubrebocas, masks in spanish, and all the schools in Mexico are closed until May 6 are just a couple of precautionary measures that have been implemented beginning today, the first day of the work week - which, normally, is quite busy. The afternoons are hot, and usually by this time, the tables are full of guests relaxing, drinking, eating. But today, very few were out.

goggles

yeeoow! So my friend and mentor keith jenkins posted my blog on facebook and I thought, dang I better spice up my blog. Aside from the usual picture posting, I do on occasion hold random discussions with myself, and in some instances, I somehow manage to loose the page like I did last night on my rant about the RNC protestors, and media for that matter, NOT wearing burning man goggles to protect their eyes against the sting of pepper spray. When looking at pictures from my friend Miss Chris's facebook page, I noticed the color coordination with goggles and wildly bizarre outfits that sort of fits this aurora of burning man meets...what the heck is that movie (i'm SO bad with actor names and movies)...you know the one made in the 80s sci-fi...ah! a colorful road warrior/mad max movie...without the leather and bondage gear. Anyway, I am deeply disturbed by St. Paul police dept's blatant disregard for the First Amendment, in particular, our freedom of press. Journalists should not be arrested for reporting the news on public streets. But really, if journalists gear up for war, then, why not gear up for a RNC demonstration with a helmet, goggles, football padding, and shin guards so that you don't get beat up by the police who don't care if you are a journalist. Not even in Latin America where demonstrations happen more often then in San Francisco do journalists get arrested for covering a protest! burning man goggles!

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Last week I photographed an assignment of a high school teacher receiving an award for Teacher of the Year. Slightly worried that it might be a worst case scenario -- teacher receive plaque on stage, shake hands, speech and eat cake, I was sweetly surprised with the spontenaity of students. Not only was the teacher in tears at the podium for receiving his award, but his choir students surprised him with a song. But the best part about the surprise was the group hug at the end, where over 30 students surrounded him.

aw! thank gawd for group hugs!!

some just never made it....

I photographed a democratic fundraiser for a local congressman last weekend. here are some pictures of nancy  that never made it in the paper or online. it was at sutter home. and the weather and light was just beautiful. unfortunetly the napa valley is a quiet, suburban area. there aren't very many people walking around in the valley's towns around the early evening when the light is really pretty. Not much spontenaity exists after 6pm in places like this when everyone lives their lives within the confines of their homes and backyards. And, its difficult to find that to photograph. so, i suppose you find tourists to shoot. photograph, i mean. ; )

pictures from july

Pres Bush made a visit to Napa Valley. I was on protestor duty. A small band of protestors stood their ground on a grassy hillside at an intersection in south Napa.