v a l l e j o n o c t u r n o

Some Recent Photographs

Photos from recent events. Porch concert, Flower Mart, and walks in nature.

Photos from Recent Days in March

March turned out to be a busy month of image taking:

Vallejo Nocturno 2023-March 2023

Some Recent Photos

Since I traveled to Barcelona I was not able to post with as much frequency-but here is stuff I saw:

Vallejo Nocturno 2023 -Scenes in February

Some Recent Photos

These come from a variety of recent activities around this winter.

Some Portrait Advice from Todd Hido

Todd Hido

At LensCulture they've put up some practical advice from Todd Hido on some portrait essentials:

LC: In your opinion, what are some of the qualities that make some photographic portraits stand out and apart from ordinary photos of people? Can you offer some examples of great photo portraits that hold power for you?

TH: Richard Avedon’s portrait of Marilyn Monroe. It’s the epitome for me of an unguarded portrait. It was apparently taken at a moment when she didn’t realize she was supposed to be “on,” and it shows what I gather is the exact opposite of what it was she was trying to portray, most likely your typical flirty persona. But what it actually shows is a person that seems to be lost within themselves and looking very much inward.

Now, of course nobody knows what Marilyn was feeling at that moment and we all know that photography is the best truth teller and the best liar all at the same time. And things magically appear different when they’re photographed, as Mr. Gary Winogrand used to say. So that leaves us with what I believe is the most important part of photography, that is that we the viewers fill the photograph with meaning and we bring our own issues and concerns with us.

LC: As a teacher, what kinds of advice do you give your students when it comes to preparing for, and making, successful portraits?

TH: To be kind is most important. After that, be prepared with a plan of how you’re going to make the picture. An example in my case would be, every time I photograph somebody, I always scout out the spot I’m going to photograph them in and try to anticipate what the light is going to be like and modify it if needed.

Also, one other thing that is very important, is what the person will wear in the photograph. Wardrobe is obviously a very important component in photographs. You could either go with whatever it is they’re wearing if you’re bound to reality, but if you’re not, it’s very good to have the person bring several different things to wear because having the right clothing makes a tremendous difference. I usually opt for dark solids because it makes their face be what’s highlighted in the resulting portrait.

More

Some photos

Some recent work:

Vallejo Nocturno 2023 - Early in 2023 and some late 2022

Some Recent Fotos

From a wide amount of activities.

Vallejo Nocturno 2023- January Traces

Our Recent Addition- Camila

On the 23rd of this month my son and his wife welcomed Camila into their life. Here are some photos from Camila's new life:

Vallejo Nocturno 2022-Welcome Camila

My Grandfather's Burial

These are two photos from my grandfather's burial in Lima (Callao) back in the mid-60's. The pallbearers include all my uncles and my father. I was in the US during this time and have a very hazy memory that he had died. Seeing these photos I get a sense that he had lots of people ho knew and appreciated him as the founder of the first Methodist churches in Peru. Let's see hat else can we tell from these photos . . .

Late Night Memories from Recent Past

Vallejo Nocturno 2022- Lima Time