Kissing On Reforma Av.

This couple kissing on the street proves they have no shame --not that they should be-- over their expression of emotion towards each other. Yet as a a photographer capturing such moments I cannot help but sometimes wonder if the public nature of the act gives me any right to photograph it. The "guilt" loses its traction as I rest on why I took the image. As time runs along a single direction, this moment simply celebrates a solitary event in the human history shared between these two souls.

Blow

One of my initial images circa 2006. I had asked him to pose for the shot; instead, he began to blow into the crucible. When I first came to Mexico, and until recently, you could find these shaman all over the city's largest municipal square -- El Zocalo. I speculate a recent policy move by the federal district authorities has kept them from operating in the area; It has been a while since I've witnessed any shaman executing their alternate medicinal practices at the Zocalo. Instead they have been dispersed to other parts of the downtown area and in dwindling numbers.

Digital Kills The Analog Stars

Back in 2006 you could still run into photographers in some parts of Mexico City who made a living making images of folks in "touristy" areas. The ubiquity of digital sent most of them into early retirement. 

La Banda

This image made in April of 2013 exemplifies some of the reasons I enjoy street portraiture. Regular candid street shooting involves no connection or involvement with the people being photographed. In a strict sense, it's almost --or well could be-- defined as exploitative, but this is obviously debatable and I won't get into a senseless discussion on the subject here. There are, however, street tog purists who will outright reject any photography that involves posing individuals. The claim is the photography lacks authenticity. I would rather not be called a street photographer if I am to be bound to certain rules that will keep me from enjoying something I do greatly: connecting, understanding, and getting to know others while following my passion for photography