The Mexican 20 peso bill

by Othon Gonzales
www.cozumelspanish.com

You know the Mexican twenty-peso bills, I suppose… but, have you noticed who is in them ?… Benito Juarez…Why?   Who was this man ?

He was born in 1806, a pure “zapoteca” native. Those days, natives were the lowest level in the social system in Mexico, without any chance to progress.

However, he decided to go to school, graduated  as a lawyer, became senator, later governor of Oaxaca, president of the Justice power, and finally, president of this country.

He fought the conservative party to avoid a monarchy, and after defeat the Mexican Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg, he created the Republic. He elaborated the first Constitution in 1857, and died in 1872 after having been designated president  several times.

His legacy, besides the political changes, was a lesson of life, demostrating that, no matter your origin, race or color, you can achieve your goals if you decide it so.

Tati´s Photo tip:
Macro photography is extreme close-up photography of usually very small subjects like coins, blossoms of flowers, insects etc… Look for interesting textures, details & pattern and work either with a special macro lens or the macro setting (the small flower symbol of your point-n-shoot camera.

Results Photo Challenge: “Light and Shadow”

In this post, I have put together some truly awesome photos that make strong use of lights and shadows. Creative light and composition were used to become more aware of light and shadows in a picture.

This time I asked for judgments & opinions of my friends Tania Nacif – professional photographer and Debbie Felixson in order to write this blog and showcase some of your best shots. Thank you very much for your help dear friends! In fact we found every submission very inspiring. Congratulations to all participants!!!

This black and white photo of Fred Felder captured the subject “Light and Shadows” the best.

The captured light & shadows in his picture are the main composition and contrasting elements that created an interesting pattern & atmosphere. Backlighting, which lights foreground elements from the hind part, causes the edges of an object to glow adding an angelic effect and a pure dreamy feel. Amazing is also the fact that all 3 family members (Fred, Nici & Allison) submitted truly awesome pictures that make strong use of lights and shadows:

by Nici Felder

by Allison Felder (8 years old)

Besides, the strong use of shadows in color photos tend to be mostly used in silhouettes where the subject is made featureless apart from its outline against a bright background. The silhouette effect can be achieved with any bright light source – some focus on artificial lights, others on the sun at certain times of the day. Often photographers prefer the time around sunset because the sun causes the sky to be brighter than everything else for greater contrast. What’s also interesting is that when the artist aligns the sun directly behind the subject that can cause a glow effect around its outlines.
Paul von der Heyden´s picture caught our attention due to the play of light that created those amazing shadows – those almost surreal images add a meaningful facet to a photograph.

 

Also I want to mention the picture with the most “Likes” which is from Nike Martiné:

The shadow of the crab enhanced the relationship to the subject.

The reason to have these challenges is to work on an assignment, share ideas and learn from others. The next one will be coming up soon. Stay tuned.

CARNIVAL 2013 in COZUMEL

by Othon Gonzales
www.cozumelspanish.com

Hi my friends… party is never ending in Mexico, so now, everybody is getting ready for Carnival, a tradition that started hundreds of years ago in Europe
as a consequence of a Catholic period of abstinence…The Lent.

” Carne vale ” is a late Latin expression that means farewell to the meat because it is forbidden on Fridays. In ancient times, however, it had another
context…abstinence was: ” Not to have physical contact of any kind “, so somebody thought it would be a good idea a festival to enjoy all the
worldly pleasures before the Ash Wednesday.

Colorful customs, music and dancing start this Saturday 19th in Cozumel, when the Queen and the King of the ” Carnaval ” will be crowned.

Tati´s Photo tip:
There are many dancing groups doing kind of rehearsals – for the parades starting February 8 – on the streets of Cozumel now.
Mexican colors and party atmosphere at its best!! Whenever you see them – stop by and take some pictures.
Best results are with a fast shutter speed (minimum 1/800 sec.) and then wait for that instant when the dancer stops moving.
So, have a good time and enjoy party !!

 

IRONMAN in COZUMEL 2012

Ten years ago, one of my sons, who was 25 years old, told me that he and one of his friends would go to Oaxaca to compete in a triathlon. The ones who get to finish it would have the possibility to participate in an ironman race.

I didn’t have an idea about what exactly was that race… first, 3.86 km swimming, then 180 km biking, and finally 42.2 km running !!!
   
I had only seen the marathon in the olympics which is similar, without the first two races, and I wonder… who is fisically capable to do that??, well, not my son.
He and his friend did the swimming and half of the biking and got so exhausted that decided to go get some beer and eat some tacos instead.

It was here in Cozumel where I had the opportunity to see those athletes in action. Last year, particularly, they did the biking in the middle of a storm, it was
pouring so, you can add going biking fast on wet floor!, however, one of the atlhetes told me next day that the rain was great and very refreshing.   Accidents?
for sure, but for them, no matter if they are amateurs or pros, their goal is to be there and get the satisfaction to finish the race and know they are in a good shape.

All I can tell you is… they are incredible women and men, and it’s amazing to stay there for a while and see them.

I would only suggest to the WTC, the ones who organize it, to think in organizing the Tinman race…swimming 3 meters, biking 18 m and running 42 meters… i would
inscribe right away.

Othon Gonzales

Tati´s Photo tip:
Use a fast shutter speed setting of your camera to freeze/stop an action/motion in order to avoid blurry pictures. E.g. on S or T mode put a speed of 1/1000 sec.
Or try some panning pictures. Therefore I recommend a shutter speed between 1/30 and 1/60 sec and pan with the moving object while exposing.

With some practice you will get really stunning pictures.

  

 

Results of the November Photo Challenge

First of all I want to thank all the participants for sending in their work.
You all rock!!!

There were scary, strange, funny, interesting, relaxed, beautiful and extremely detailed self portraits.

And I want to present 3 pictures and their photographers that I found the most creative and skilled ones.

In my personal opinion I liked the picture of Manuel Santiago the best…allthough it was not an easy choice!

He found a very interesting point of view….with the camera and regarding his personality!
The leading lines from the eyes to his hand, the fact that a person is sometimes big and sometimes small
and the color composition impressed me. Great job, Manuel!
He is 28 years old, Mexican & lives in Veracruz.
To see more of his work please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/che251

Another entry that I want to mention here is the picture of Bernd Moritz:

This picture is telling a story. Especially if you know that Bernd (born in Germany) works as a cameraman.

And last but not least there is the photograph of Allison Felder. She is by far the youngest participant – 8 years old.
I admire her sense of humor and self-esteem to participate with a very funny photo of herself.

Well done – all of you. To see all entries please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.506518842699900.121816.113254258693029&type=1

More photo challenges will follow! Stay tuned!!!

Improve your photos !

If you take a photo with a long lens try to get even closer to your motive.
The narrower you take a picture the more concentrated it seems.
Like this you may be even able to keep disturbing surroundings out of your image.
You will get a better impact because nothing misleads the viewer from the main motive !

E.g. for shooting birds in wildlife I recommend using at least a lens of 300mm, a short exposure time, a tripod or monopod. Good luck !!

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