Wow @gabyoraa the pictures and exchange between you and Derek about the pictures and how you were able to use your photography to help save a life and document the situation at the risk of your own life truly impressed me. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. Your boy is beautiful!
Thanks Sara. I never thought I was capable of doing something like that, that would represent a risk. But I guess being in the middle of chaos sometimes brings out the best of us. Thanks for your kind words
Your processing is top notch. The "look" of your photos, the way you compose and process them is consistent and natural but also colorful (except when it's black and white) and contrasty without being "punchy" or overdone. Personally I like the subtle soft look that your portraits have - a bit of glow but not too much.
The other thing I noticed in a few of these is that you like to shoot through things and create natural framing with your composition. You're not just photographing the subject, you're putting the subject into a scene to give context but are still using that scene to frame the subject. It's really, really good work.
How long have you been taking photos seriously?
Also, don't just leave us hanging with a statement like "I saved a kid's life with a photograph," unless of course it's something you can't or would rather not give details about! :o
@derekkind Hey! I talked a bit about that in my introduction post. But I'll give you the main story. During the protest, many students got imprisoned just for protesting, they would cover their face to remain unidentified because a lot of them would be persecuted and taken to jail. Lot's of them got tortured in ways I think Steemit would ban me if I wrote them and others got lost in the system because the family would not even be notified. Some are still in jail as of today.
There was one kid I took a photo of right before the national guard took him. As soon as I found out, me and my colleagues made his photo viral. Thanks to this his family found out, and the pressure got so high that eventually they had to let him go. He looked me up on instagram right after getting out and thanked me personally for this. There where many other times when the guard would get over aggressive with the protestors and as soon as we arrived with the cameras they would back out. Our camera was really a weapon they where afraid of. I never really imagined a photo could be so powerful. You read about it, but living it is something else.
Ahhhh. * raises hand * I'm guilty of not reading all of your text in the welcome post!
That is an amazing story. You think of all the photographers out there - how many can actually say they've had a profound and direct impact on someone's life with their photography?
It's also interesting to hear the power of just being there as media. I'm glad it is that way, though that would make me think there would be extra danger for you behind the scenes. :(
There was. I got shot in the stomach with a rubber bullet. Thank God it was just a big bruise. (The guards used real bullets on some protests, also screws and glass marbles) I was lucky. So I decided to not go up front anymore, mostly because of my 3 year old son. Almost all of my photos are portraits from a little behind the line of battle, besides, that part has to be documented too. But it's nice to feel like you are making a difference.
I think your photos from behind the line of battle are even more powerful. Unfortunately, because we've seen so many violently-contested protests from all over the world on the news, the "action scenes", so to speak, are all too familiar, and while they're incredibly important to the people in them, they're hard to identify with. It's the moments that happen between and outside the line of battle, as you put it, that really tell the story of who the people are, what they're protesting and why.
Exactly. That was my point. I tried to spread their word and feelings through my photos, to tell their story, not just the apparent story that everyone sees, but the story behind that crying face.
I come here from the photo game, and I'm touched by this story. I feel sorry for what your country has been undergoing. I visited most countries in South America when living in Chile, but when I planned to go to Venezuela from Colombia, almost all people around me advised against it considering the special situation. I would still love to visit it one day and see it with my own eyes. How is it going there now?
Thanks for reading and commenting. Even though I understand, it's sad to know so many people stay away from Venezuela because of the current situation. We have so many beautiful places to visit. I hope things get better soon so you can all come and get to know us better.
It's a tale of two styles.
I see a very strong editorial style... really suited for documenting what you were documenting. Even your fashion picture fit that style. Very strong powerful blacks. Pictures that tell a story in one image. Images that could headline a story because they're evocative.
And then on the other end very colorful loving pictures that actually stay clear of the deep dark blacks in the rest of your pictures. They're about love and beauty. Pretty much you are yin and yang in your photography love and pain. Light and dark.
And then it's clear that very visable emotion is what you tend to aim for.
But then again thats from just a subsegment of your images so hope it actually is true in the long run.
Well, don't know if I'm emotional because I'm listening to some of the songs left on my music monday post, or what's the reason, but your words really got to me. I'm actually leaning to learn documentary photography, which can be used for weddings and fashion too.
No you're not crazy... I'm actually in a really good writing zone right now... someone give me a pen and a paper because i feel like I can really delve deeply and see clearly tonight.
To me your photos evoke true emotion. The words true, meaningful and connected come up for me instantly. You've got a true gift for working with people and finding their inner selves. You've got a fabulous artistic flair and a great attention to detail and I just have to say your son has the most amazing eyes!!
Totally!! I read your other comments above and see you're learning documentary photography, that's awesome! I look forward to seeing how and if that changes that changes you style over time. Oh, and you're welcome!! : )
Wow @gabyoraa the pictures and exchange between you and Derek about the pictures and how you were able to use your photography to help save a life and document the situation at the risk of your own life truly impressed me. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. Your boy is beautiful!
Thanks Sara. I never thought I was capable of doing something like that, that would represent a risk. But I guess being in the middle of chaos sometimes brings out the best of us. Thanks for your kind words
Wow. Okay, a couple of things stand out:
Your processing is top notch. The "look" of your photos, the way you compose and process them is consistent and natural but also colorful (except when it's black and white) and contrasty without being "punchy" or overdone. Personally I like the subtle soft look that your portraits have - a bit of glow but not too much.
The other thing I noticed in a few of these is that you like to shoot through things and create natural framing with your composition. You're not just photographing the subject, you're putting the subject into a scene to give context but are still using that scene to frame the subject. It's really, really good work.
How long have you been taking photos seriously?
Also, don't just leave us hanging with a statement like "I saved a kid's life with a photograph," unless of course it's something you can't or would rather not give details about! :o
@derekkind Hey! I talked a bit about that in my introduction post. But I'll give you the main story. During the protest, many students got imprisoned just for protesting, they would cover their face to remain unidentified because a lot of them would be persecuted and taken to jail. Lot's of them got tortured in ways I think Steemit would ban me if I wrote them and others got lost in the system because the family would not even be notified. Some are still in jail as of today.
There was one kid I took a photo of right before the national guard took him. As soon as I found out, me and my colleagues made his photo viral. Thanks to this his family found out, and the pressure got so high that eventually they had to let him go. He looked me up on instagram right after getting out and thanked me personally for this. There where many other times when the guard would get over aggressive with the protestors and as soon as we arrived with the cameras they would back out. Our camera was really a weapon they where afraid of. I never really imagined a photo could be so powerful. You read about it, but living it is something else.
Ahhhh. * raises hand * I'm guilty of not reading all of your text in the welcome post!
That is an amazing story. You think of all the photographers out there - how many can actually say they've had a profound and direct impact on someone's life with their photography?
It's also interesting to hear the power of just being there as media. I'm glad it is that way, though that would make me think there would be extra danger for you behind the scenes. :(
There was. I got shot in the stomach with a rubber bullet. Thank God it was just a big bruise. (The guards used real bullets on some protests, also screws and glass marbles) I was lucky. So I decided to not go up front anymore, mostly because of my 3 year old son. Almost all of my photos are portraits from a little behind the line of battle, besides, that part has to be documented too. But it's nice to feel like you are making a difference.
:(
I think your photos from behind the line of battle are even more powerful. Unfortunately, because we've seen so many violently-contested protests from all over the world on the news, the "action scenes", so to speak, are all too familiar, and while they're incredibly important to the people in them, they're hard to identify with. It's the moments that happen between and outside the line of battle, as you put it, that really tell the story of who the people are, what they're protesting and why.
Exactly. That was my point. I tried to spread their word and feelings through my photos, to tell their story, not just the apparent story that everyone sees, but the story behind that crying face.
Well, you definitely succeeded.
I come here from the photo game, and I'm touched by this story. I feel sorry for what your country has been undergoing. I visited most countries in South America when living in Chile, but when I planned to go to Venezuela from Colombia, almost all people around me advised against it considering the special situation. I would still love to visit it one day and see it with my own eyes. How is it going there now?
Thanks for reading and commenting. Even though I understand, it's sad to know so many people stay away from Venezuela because of the current situation. We have so many beautiful places to visit. I hope things get better soon so you can all come and get to know us better.
I just love that shot with the TV being smashed. Nice to get to know you from the photogames!
Thanks! Well it's the wonderful thing about steemit! I got to know you from the photogames too!
It's a tale of two styles.
I see a very strong editorial style... really suited for documenting what you were documenting. Even your fashion picture fit that style. Very strong powerful blacks. Pictures that tell a story in one image. Images that could headline a story because they're evocative.
And then on the other end very colorful loving pictures that actually stay clear of the deep dark blacks in the rest of your pictures. They're about love and beauty. Pretty much you are yin and yang in your photography love and pain. Light and dark.
And then it's clear that very visable emotion is what you tend to aim for.
But then again thats from just a subsegment of your images so hope it actually is true in the long run.
Well, don't know if I'm emotional because I'm listening to some of the songs left on my music monday post, or what's the reason, but your words really got to me. I'm actually leaning to learn documentary photography, which can be used for weddings and fashion too.
No you're not crazy... I'm actually in a really good writing zone right now... someone give me a pen and a paper because i feel like I can really delve deeply and see clearly tonight.
To me your photos evoke true emotion. The words true, meaningful and connected come up for me instantly. You've got a true gift for working with people and finding their inner selves. You've got a fabulous artistic flair and a great attention to detail and I just have to say your son has the most amazing eyes!!
Wow thanks. It's what I aim for so If it's what get's through to you, it means I'm doing it right.
Totally!! I read your other comments above and see you're learning documentary photography, that's awesome! I look forward to seeing how and if that changes that changes you style over time. Oh, and you're welcome!! : )