Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Women Warriors
Thousands of women (and men) converged on the Santa Fe, NM Plaza on Sunday for the second annual Women’s March, a local demonstration of support in what has become one of the largest single-day political protests for human rights in American history.
Traffic police and march organizers estimated between 4,000 and 5,000 people made the five-block trek to the Plaza.
It was an event for all ages.  Women united were marching for equal rights, reproductive rights, the struggles of DACA Dreamers facing deportation, the increasing issues of racism in the nation, corruption, and fear of nuclear war.
Colorful signs, paper mâché puppets and knitted pink protest hats filled the Santa Fe Plaza.
Women Warriors stood tall and proud.  The crowd cheered accompanied by the beating of drums.
Dogs bundled for the cold carried personal statements.
It was a good day to be in the streets with Women Warriors.

be strong, be safe, Talon

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

The Greater Chaco Landscape
Chaco Canyon, located in northwestern New Mexico, is arguably the most significant ancient cultural site in the United States.  Between AD 900 and 1150, Chaco Canyon was a major center of culture for the Ancient Pueblo Peoples.  The canyon contains the remnants of great houses, kivas, ancient roads, gridded gardens, irrigation systems and sacred places built by an indigenous people who were proficient in architecture, agriculture, the arts and astronomy.
Gas and oil development on and near Navajo communities in the Greater Chaco Landscape of the Southwest is growing at an exponential rate.  Each green circle represents an existing well pad.  New gas and oil leases in the area surround Navajo community members and Chaco Canyon Cultural National Historical Park.  The BLM is opening up over 300 new leases in March 2018.  Click here to see a larger map.  Question of Power is working  to develop media and the resources necessary to create a visual voice for Navajo community members living within the gas and oil development area, the Greater Chaco Landscape, and the Chaco Cultural National Historical Park.  Click here to learn how you can help provide support for this important work.

"Danrte once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis maintain their neutrality...And it's not sufficient just being against, just saying, 'Well, I don't think I like the way things are going.'  We have a responsibility to offer an alternative."
Bobby Kennedy 1964

be strong, be safe, Talon

Monday, January 8, 2018

The Art of Seeing
The photographer's goal is to see and share the world in the strongest possible way.  Truthful, revealing, and penetrating.  The art of photography is the art of seeing.  The strength and integrity of a photograph lies in the seeing.  The rules of photographic composition are often invalid and over power what lies between the spirit of the photographer and the subject.

Every photographer has their own way of seeing, expressing, feeling.  The challenge is to allow the seeing be shared in the photograph rather than standing aloof from it.  Adequate technique is necessary.  Confidence is required.  Developing confidence in the seeing is the challenge.

This coming March 4 - 9 I will be teaching Expressive Black and White Landscapes and Fine Art Digital Print Making at the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops.  We will be working in the landscape around Santa Fe understanding the art of seeing.  Returning to the digital lab we will craft our expression of the landscape into the fine art black and white print.  Consider joining me.  It will be a week spent in exploring and understanding the challenge of the art of seeing.

be strong, be safe, Talon

Friday, January 5, 2018

Ridin' into the New Year
Closing the book on 2017.  Starting a new one for 2018.  For many of us 2017 just flat out seemed to be one of those years.  Maybe one of those years we are ready to close the book on.  Lost a very special friend in 2017.  That's Kevin in the photograph.  Always a smile on his face.  Always a special friend.  Met him over 30 years ago.  He was just 19 when he knocked on my studio door lookin' for a job.  He kept knockin'.  Every month for almost a year.  Then one day we started working together.  Solid, strong, dependable, honest.  Years went by.  We rode many miles together on two wheels.  Made thousands of photographs in the studio.  Never forget the first day in the studio together.  He came in all dressed up wearing a brand new sweatshirt.  On the front in very large print "Crotch Rocket".  We had to tame that down a bit, it all worked out.  

Going to miss you Kevin.  Miss you a lot.  Can feel your spirit with the thump of the motor and sound of two wheels on the road.  Can see the sun on your back and the smile on your face.  Ride on brother.

be strong, be safe, Talon