Foundry Photo Workshop: NotesFrom the Field

Swine Flu in mexico City - Portrait serie

2009-04-30T07:54:00.003-07:00

http://www.okinreport.net/en/category/mexican_projects/swine-flu-mexico-city/

Random stuff from the first Sunday

2008-08-06T19:31:00.001-07:00

Student & instructor feedback- we want to know your pros and cons

2008-07-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

Foundry Workshop: Overall Review- chime in now, students & instructors
After several weeks of down time, fielding emails, talking to staff/instructors and students, about this year’s event, etc its time to do a little housecleaning. Being our first year, we know we did some things great- and some things weren’t so great.Some of this was clearly our fault, and some of that which wasn’t so great was beyond our control- operating in a foreign environment, even when you arrive early and as prepared as you can, will throw some curveballs at you. So, Ill start with the goods and bads, and feel free to chime in students and instructors. The only thing I would ask is to KEEP IT CIVIL. Bitch all you want, but be nice about it.As one instructor, who will remain nameless, said “it was $500, and you got to go to Mexico City for a week with some great teachers and peers- what do you expect for $500 ?”

First off I will say we are making some fairly significant changes next year (expect to be in south Asia, end of July), based on student and staff feedback. The photo-j world can be very opinionated, even downright argumentative and derisive (as if LS’ers dont know that already!) and Ive gotten exact opposite feedback from instructors and students about various elements of the workshop. Since there is no way to make everyone happy, we will just try and stick to our original intentions and streamline and format from there.

GOOD:
a. created a great community
b. saw awesome work from teachers and most importantly students- this can be seen on the blog
www.foundryphoto.blogspot.com
c. one class got to try out M8s in the field
d. created an event for students and locals who otherwise would not have been able to afford such an event (this has been hotly debated, but since I know the financials, I can attest to it with numbers)- over 70% of locals attended on scholarship for reduced or free tuition.
e. students had great portfolio reviews from great teachers
f. student feedback, one on one time and instructor- student help was phenomenal. Some classes were too big and this made it difficult, but overall I think alot of folks got a lot of strong feedback and we able to push themselves in their work, no matter their level/
g. some people got work out of it
h. some people realized they dont want to this as a living but as a hobby- just as important a revelation IMO
i. alot of the mystique around photo-js- the cult of personality and fame- was dissipated and students met and befriended their idols as human beings, and saw their strenghthes, weaknesses and frailties-and made connections and friends in the industry
j. gave away alot of scarves
k. we provided ALOT of beer
l. mazing panel discussions, with much candor, wit and insight.

ISSUES:
a. some classes were TOO big. We will have caps in future events.
b. ability levels were all over the map- this will be addressed with differing levels of classes in the future, that students will need to apply for /portfolio into, with direct contact between teacher & student before the workshop begins.
c. staffers came- this was an issue, since the workshop is really for students and locals (local staffers- we want them.) who cant afford more expensive workshops. Its not really designed for those already making their living as staffers on a paper. We cant be having people come for a cheap workshop when they could afford a more traditional one. That will kill us, and we will have protocols in future events to prevent that from occurring.
d. too much of a party atmosphere- this is debatable whether good or bad. some loved it some hated it. some want a more intimate and intense approach, some dont. so we are working to create a mix of both at next years event.
e. venue needs a/c- absolutely!!!
f. students didnt show up prepared to a. work and b. with story ideas, research, groundwork done- a passion for what they were doing. There are so many levels of seriousness, from casual to semi-pro, but we really need to have students show up at least a few days early, having prepped and ready to rock and roll. The instructor should be a guide on the side, not a sage on the stage. Its the self driven students who you will see produced the most amazing work- those who took the ball and ran with it.
g. fixers- we had some awesome ones (Rodrigo – you are a god among men!) and some that werent. This is an expense we will pass on to students- fixers can be expensive, very necessary (they make it all happen), and students need to learn to work with them.
h. translators- this needs to be worked on; hopefully less of a issue in South Asia. Again students need to cover this cost for their story, and find their own/come prepared.
i. locals attending- we strived to get as many locals attending as possible. It was not easy- the school we were at did NOT announce/allow their students to attend as they thought ti would be too many people, though their staff did attend. This was a severe disappointment to me, and a fact I didnt know until I was told- 2 days before the workshop began. This was the point of having it at a school- to bring as many locals in as possible.
Again we scholarshipped about 17 locals, but next year Id like at least a 40% ratio of locals to non locals, if not more, as well as a 2 price system. We are working on this- it was very tough to get the word out. next year we’ll do better.
j. too may evening events- next year there will be 3 or 4 nights, not 6 or 7, with breathing room and working time in the evenings.
k. not enough people wore scarves enough. seriously. how can we expect to be taken seriously without being scarfed up all the time ?
i. never let Brazilians run your bar. No slam on Brazilians, but damn…
j need more intimate settings next year- smaller classes, more one on one.

ok let me have it…

LAS LUCHADORAS - Women's Wrestling in Mexico

2008-07-07T04:11:00.000-07:00

Since more than 70 years women’s wrestling of the so called luchadoras has thrived in Mexico. Yet there are only about forty professional fighters, in comparison to hundreds of men who are making a living in the ring. Women don't get the needed financial and social report.
If you want to see a broader selection go here http://claudiawiens.wordpress.com/
Claudia Wiens

Clowndry Workshop

2008-07-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos from a day I spent at a clown workshop in Xochimilco, south of Mexico City. Clowns from all over Mexico came to learn about the business and compete in costume and make-up competitions. I spent much of the day with Bobo, a celebrity in the Mexican clown circuit.

Thanks to all of our faculty members--your collective positive attitude held it all together.

Eric did a fantastic job--I can't wait until next year.

Kirsten

www.kirstenluce.com

Tewfic El-Sawy's Class: Part A

2008-07-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

Santa Muerte by Christine Sommers, Los Danzantes by Alice Fortes, Farmers' Demonstrations, Pilgrims of Guadalupe by Skippy Sanchez

Waiting for... missing people in Mexico City

2008-07-03T20:32:00.001-07:00

With this work I'm trying to get involve society in a problem of some families. Lost a member it not easy. Even there´s a intitution in Mexico City to help them (C.A.P.E.A.) the dont have the resources to find or at least know what happen with their: childs, husbands, daughther, etc.
This work its a hope for those who works helping those families, for the familes and also, for the people who can't return to their homes (maybe for kidnapping of diseases). and also for those who leves their homes looking for a "better" life (or running away)

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

originally uploaded by Nicola Okin Frioli. All photographs © 2008.

Nicola Okin Frioli

www.okinreport.net

okinreport@gmail.com

Portfolio

Kadir's class: projects

2008-07-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

sorry about the audio being dead & it being a link, but this was the fastest way to get it online.

Kadir's Class Projects

enjoy!

Stanely Greene's Class- Final Project

2008-07-03T11:29:00.000-07:00

how did any work get done ? seems like all anyone did was get drunk...

2008-07-03T09:49:00.001-07:00

Jose Carlo Gonzalez: A Medio Camino

2008-07-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

A Medio Camino is a photo project by Jose Carlo Gonzales of the Central American migrants who pass through the Lecheria train station in the center of Mexico City.

This has audio, and once we get Blogger to cooperate, we'll be able to hear it while it's playing.

From Tewfic El-Sawy's Course: Street Photography & Multimedia Storytelling.

Ronit Novak's DF Women's Prison QT

2008-07-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

From Kadir van Lohuizen's Course: Finding & Working Long Term Projects: From Idea To Publication

Group shots- from the sidelines

2008-07-01T21:44:00.000-07:00

So AAVI graciously let us steal their studio and shoot a group shot of everybody; except I dont have it yet (a student has it, Im hunting him down...)
so here are some from the sidelines....

more photos from the final night

2008-07-01T21:33:00.000-07:00

Ronit Novak: DF Womens Prison Final Essay

2008-07-01T21:05:00.000-07:00

Blood On The Floor: Stanley's Class

2008-07-01T21:03:00.001-07:00

Check out the final QT video from Stanley Greene's week long class:

http://gnook.org/log/?p=4

Thanks to Sascha!

First Half of "Los Bomberos de Ave Fenix" by Monte Swann

2008-06-26T23:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Folks, Monte here from Minnesota. I just wanted to thank Michael Chavez and Ron Haviv for all their work as well as all the other presenters and volunteers at the Foundry Workshop.

Please have a look at my ten final files...

Copyright 2008 by Monte Swann Photography LLC.

Second Half of "Los Boberos de Ave Fenix" by Monte Swann

2008-06-26T22:48:00.000-07:00

More of The Image Makers from Monte Swann

2008-06-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

Images of Image Makers from Monte Swann

2008-06-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

more pics from the workshop...

2008-06-25T19:16:00.000-07:00

Conflict Photography Panel: An Intense, Intimate Discussion

2008-06-25T18:46:00.000-07:00

The first night's panel on war photography- with Stephanie Sinclair, Andrea Bruce, Paula Bronstein, Stanley Greene, Ron Haviv, Kadir VL, Kael Alford, Ben Lowy, Guy Calaf, Eros Hoagland, Shaul Schwarz- and special surprise guest Anthony Suau, one of the world's great conflict photo-js- and moderated by Mike Robinson-Chavez, himself no stranger to conflict zones, turned into one of the more intense and personal discussions of the entire workshop. The topics ran the gamut from why people do this line of work to the emotional and psychological ramifications- and the high price to pay- for being a conflict photographer. Tears were shed (we wont say whose- youve got to be at some things) and brutal honesty reigned, from the emotional pain of seeing people die, the affects of PTSD- and how each person dealt with these affects- and the difficulty of maintaining personal lives in this industry. An audio and video clip of the event is forthcoming, but Ill leave you with some photos.

Hogar Dulce Hogar

2008-06-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

I did my workshop project in a children's home called Hogar Dulce Hogar (Home Sweet Home).

Thanks for an amazing workshop to all the instructors, especially Andrea, Stephanie, Shaul, and Ben, and my fellow students. See you again next year.

Cheers.

Mikko

p.s. for some reason I could only post five images. I'll post the entire final edit on my blog at http://mikkotakkunen.com .

May an end be merely a new beginning.

2008-06-22T14:29:00.001-07:00

Photo: Samson

Peregrinos, Basilica de Guadalupe

2008-06-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

(Not sure how to add audio to this, but there is audio. Just ask Tewfic.)

Wall to Wall Paneling

2008-06-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

Its late so Ill do a brief post, but for the last three nights- after fabulous slideshows by Stanley Green, Ron Haviv, Kael Alford, Mike Chavez, Rodrigo Cruz, Eros Hoagland, Adriana Zehbruaskas, Daniel Aguilar, Stephanie Sinclair, Paula Bronstein, Andea Bruce and Renee Byer, we;ve been having some powerful panel discussions (filmed and audio recorded; excerpts of which will be posted here/one the Foundry website for all to enjoy). Weve enjoyed special guests Dario Lopez, head photo editor for AP Mexico, Enrique Martinez, head of Latin American AP, the legendary photographer Anthony Suau dropped by, and World Press WInner Daniel Aguilar joined in. Thus far we've discussed conflict and war photography- a very emotional panel, with a strong emphasis on difficult experiences, being a journalist versus a human being, helping others, the power of the image in creating change, and the personal toll/PTSD affects of so much war and suffering. Last night we heatedly discussed the current state of affairs of Latin American photojournalism- opportunities and challenges, especially concerning low pay rates, a lack of Latin photogs in major agencies and in print, and the lack of print space given to Latin American stories and issues since 9/11.
Tonights panel (no pics yet) was on women and their changing role and power in photojournalist today. Leica also had a sponsor presentation by the ever gracious Roland Wolff, who also loaned Stanley Greene's class 10 Leicas (including M8s) to use in the field. A wonderful experience for all invloved; stay tuned- with 140 studnets in the field all covering stories- from Mexican clowns to womens prisons, from prostitution and train riding immigrants to Orthodox monasteries and Santa Muerte worship- a whole host of stories and powerful images is developing; perhaps even a final book...

Santa Muerte Two

2008-06-17T06:33:00.000-07:00

Just to add to Jaime post below, here's another image of Santa Muerte made during Sunday's photo shoot. It also has other names, such as La Santísima Muerte, and Doña Sebastiana. This is a religious figure who receives petitions for love, luck and protection, and is often depicted as a female figure.

Research indicates that the cult of Santa Muerte dates back to pre-Christian beliefs during the Aztec era.

Santa Muerte

2008-06-17T03:56:00.000-07:00

On Friday through Rodrigo Cruz's hard work and absolute kindness to us participants at the workshop he got a driver and a van to take us to the Doctores neighborhood to photograph one of the shrines to Saint Death or Santa Muerte. The subject intrigued me as soon as Eric posted some of the themes that could be documented once we arrived in el DF.

It was the first day of the the workshop and it was raining. Rodrigo first scoped the site to see if it would be ok to photograph.He gave us the go ahead.

To my sense of relief and to my surprise not only were people at the shrine accepting of our presence, they were welcoming. What I had assumed would be a trip to a dodgy neighborhood turned out to be a rosary where families with their children attended. At no point did I sense any danger or feeling that we should not be there. I asked questions about the meaning of the different colors of Saint Death; Green for Money,Red for Love, Purple to ward off envy (envidia) and Black the most powerful of all providing protection from all evils that may befall the believer. People patiently answered my questions and agreed for me to make their portraits while it rained on us. We were there perhaps twenty minutes and because of space constraints we had limits as to how close we could shoot once the rosary began after all it is a religious ceremony that we had to respect and we also had to show upmost care not to over extend our welcome.The whole affair was short but meaningful to me, it challenged my preconceived notions about shooting in a place where I could have been viewed as an intruder. I was instead not only tolerated but welcomed. Rodrigo deserves the credit for gaining us access and for having been such a giving human being. Muchas gracias de todo corazon.

Day One: In the field with Kael

2008-06-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

Alright so I played hookie (not hooker, thats the San Pablo story...) from director today and went ans (finally!) got to shoot something. Headed out with Matt Steel, Katie Orlinsky, and Kirsten Luce- all phenomenal photogs in their own rights- and Kael Alford, our professora, to Lecheria, an area of Df where the trains come through , toting cargo, cars and, on the roofs, Central American immigrants. It took us almost 2 hours to rack an down, however- complete with talking to -then avoiding - railroad security, some old men in a pool hall, another random locals. finally, we just walked up the train tracks, Katie climbed into one of the stationary train cars- and, perhaps thinking this was a sign, two young men came out of hiding. We conversed with them for some time, both young (mid 20s at the oldest) and heading to Celaya, Mexico to do home building work. Hungry, dirty and worn out, the journey thus far sometimes takes up to 6 weeks. Many of the train routes have been shut done as of July 2007, and the ride hasnt gotten easier- bandits and police, often one and the same, harass, rob and even kill the migrants, and the journey is fraught with danger from the train ride itself- every year hundreds of immigrants lose legs, arms, and even heads to the dangers of rolling stock, sharp metal and high speed. We took a lot of photos of their sleeping "quarters"- old cement pipes and cardboard boxes- and more and more migrants came down the tracks. By the time we had to leave we had spoken to over a dozen (with well north of 20 there, under a highway bridge). A grassroots NGO was handing out clothing and sandwiches, and it was remarkable and powerful to see so many young people heading north for a hopefully better life. They were gracious enough to allow all of us to crowd them and photograph them, a bit like paparazzi, and we listened as Kirsten and Katie, both speakers of impeccable Spanish, translated their stories for us. A few pics below of students and Kael working and a few not so good results (why didnt I post the better ones ? too tired) from the shoot...Kael is a GREAT teacher by the way, patient, kind and with both a quick sense of humor and an amazing eye...

the beginnings of my project

2008-06-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

wow, i'm exhausted and it's only monday...but exhausted in a good way... the first day of class was cool but i'm eager to get into talking about intimacy...today we just did introductions and logistical stuff... stephanie and andrea are really down to earth, and shaul and his class are with us too, and he gave us some really good insight on the freelance side of things today.

it's intimidating to show my work on here amongst so many talented photographers, established and not yet...blogger will only let me upload one picture right now...maybe that is a sign ...i hope not!

...this is the beginnings of my week's work, from sunday...i am spending my time with a family of aztec dancers and after shooting dancing over the weekend, i'm just gonna get into their daily lives and see where things go.

was supposed to meet up with the dad, manuel, today but he didn't show and i thought my story was lost (i didn't have his phone number or anything) which was a huge bummer...and after almost 2 hours waiting in the zocalo i ran into a dancer friend of manuel's and got his number, called and made plans to meet up tomorrow...my story is back on track for now

...thanks for looking

martin, the 12-yr-old son of manuel and monica, dances in the zocalo

--david ryder

A few photos from the field:

2008-06-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

Early arrivals talk shop with Director Eric Beecroft (far left).
Michael Robinson-Chavez

Santa Muerte

Mexico is charming for Street work.

-Images: Matt Wright-Steel

2008-06-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

I know there are a few of you already in Mexico City and we are jealous. That said, here's a moment from my planning sessions at a coffeeshop in sunny and (finally) dry Portland, Oregon.

--Posted by Andrew Volk

2008-06-13T11:22:00.000-07:00

It looks like I'll be the first to post with some photos everyone should see first thing in the morning...

Yesterday, I went out with Eric, Rodrigo, and a Mexican Photojournalist that covers spot news for a local paper. This involved sitting in his parked car for 5 hours, listening to the police radio, and going to the bathroom at the newspaper office. After three bathroom trips for Eric and I, they refused to let us in. Finally, around 6 p.m. we drove over to a naked protest.

There seem to be at least a couple very efficient things in Mexico City. One (god bless) is the metro, the other is protests. The protesters sang, danced and shouted naked until the signal for dinner, where they promptly put on their clothes and came together under the make-shift tent to eat and watch t.v.

They use comedy to make get attention but their point is serious. They're protesting to regain land they claim was stolen under the last president.

--Posted by Jennifer Chase