At first I was possibly attracted by the quality of the light and the vividity of the women dresses, but I soon got hooked by the whole mood of this spanish marriage in the small town of Guillena, not far from Seville, in Andalucía.
By comparison, our marriages in Portugal look almost like funerals...
In Andalucía, the celebration is much more colorful and looks less formal, what I consider to be the heritage from gypsy blood and flamenco. Please correct me, if I am wrong...
In this small land of mine, we maybe don't have many reasons to dress joyful and feel glad, do we?
We are getting such a sad and dark land...
I was not invited and didn't know nobody around. In fact, I don't even remember to speak a word.
Strolling, I came upon this small church by chance. I got curious and slowly made my way towards the people, a smile here and a smile there, walking that strange line between public domain and privacy...
When I felt kind of accepted, I started mixing with the group and began to shoot a little closer and closer.
By my dirty blue jeans and casual clothing, it is hard to imagine that somebody would take me for a guest either...
I was a perfect watching stranger among a festive crowd!
That's what Leicas are good for...
All photographs:
Leica M4-2 + Summicron-M 2/35mm
Fomapan 200, developed in Kodak D-76 1+1
Scanned with Epson 4990 Photo
P.S.: I would like to remember Miles Davis and his great record "Sketches of Spain", arranged and conducted by Gil Evans, recorded in 1959 & 1960. The record opens with the magnificent piece by spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo, "Concierto de Aranjuez", composed in 1939.
If you have the chance, don't miss to listen to it!
..
All photographs were made using a Rolleiflex SL 35 (Rollei Singapore) equiped with german made Carl Zeiss lenses, namely the Planar 1.4 / 50mm HFT and the Sonnar 2.8 / 85 mm. A Rollei yellow filter was also used with both lenses.
Fomapan 200 developed in Kodak D-76 1+1.
I would like to dedicate these modest photographs to someone that I very much respect and admire for many years: JOSEF KOUDELKA.
His book "Gitans - La Fin du Voyage" (copyright 1975 by Josef Koudelka, Delpire éditeur Paris and Aperture, Inc. New York) has been a true companion of mine since many years now, and a true source of inspiration.
I wish I could have the genius and the integrity of Mr. Koudelka's vision...
A special thank you goes also, of course, to the portrayed family!
..
Rolleiflex SL 35 + Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm HFT
Fomapan 200, Kodak D-76 1+1
Lisbon, Portugal, April 2010
Leica M2 + Super Angulon 3.4/21mm
Fomapan 200, Rodinal 1+100 (stand development)
Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal, September 2009
Leica M4-2 + collapsible Summicron 2/50mm
Fomapan 200, Rodinal 1+50
Évora, Portugal, December 2009
Rolleiflex SL 35 + Carl Zeiss Planar 1.4/50mm HFT
Fomapan 200, Kodak D-76 1+1
Lisbon, Portugal, April 2010
Zorki 3-C + Jupiter 8 2/5cm
Fomapan 200, Rodinal 1+50
Praia da Amorosa, Portugal, August 2009
Zorki 3-C + Jupiter 8 2/5cm
Fomapan 200, Rodinal 1+100 (stand development)
Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal, September 2009
"Working Class Hero" - JOHN LENNON
As soon as you're born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be.
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be.
When they have tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be.
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be.
There's room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me.
(Words and music by John Lennon, 1970, from the album "Plastic Ono Band")
"Politician" - CREAM
Hey now baby, get in my big black car
I wanna just show you what my politics are.
I'm a political man and I practice what I preach
So don't deny me baby, not while you're in my reach.
I support the left, tho' I'm leanin', leanin' to the right
But I'm just not there when it's coming to a fight.
Hey now baby, get into my big black car
I wanna just show you what my politics are.
(Written by Jack Bruce and Pete Brown, 1969. From the record "Goodbye Cream")
It's so long ago and still so fucking true!
..
+copy.jpg)
+copy.jpg)
+copy.jpg)
+copy.jpg)
+copy.jpg)
+copy.jpg)
