I’ve been busy lately… it’s cooler to say you’re quitting your job than actually doing it.
I mean… I could just walk away and not give a fuck, but that’s not my style. I try to do things properly.
Even if people hate me… I like it when they hate me properly, not just plain old, mediocre hate…
…as I know that certain readers do.
But what are you going to do? This is the net, and I prefer to avoid any emo-kiddo or wannaby artsy fartsy pretentious self portrait with camera gear, or books… as if I were masturbating to the thought of being something I am not.
—this is all; what you see is what you get.
Pictures don’t lie.
Unless Photoshopped… but that ain’t happening here… I couldn’t care less about modifying my frames for stuff other than tones and balance.
…as if I could remove in Photoshop someone’s being an asshole…
As I told N the other day… I like to make frames of things that catch my eye… but some individuals will never be photographed (again) through my lens just because they are not worthy of it.
And so-fucking-what? My camera; my point of view.
This also brings to mind some other thoughts… like school and growing up.
There’s only so much you can do on school, then you have to grow-the-fuck-up.
My limit is Master’s Degree. Yes, like… I want to have theoretical expertise in a given field that I am truly interested in (Information Technology – I’m a computer guy according to my university degree). But the problem is not about getting perfect grades, it’s actually what you do in the real world.
…and unless you are not doing real world research, if you are still in school, after university, you suck.
“I feel good in this comfort circle that harbors no responsibilities other than doing my homework, and teaching some undergrad kids” definitely does not count as Real World. Puhleeeeease… unless you can actually make it happen outside, then you are using up valuable resources like oxygen.
Anyway… I don’t usee a blog to make you think I am a thinker, a philosopher, or someone who actually cares about making himself look interesting. My friends know who I am, and how much I would do for them.
But come on… this is too much bla bla and no photos. My photos.
On a side note, I think it’s caring too much to put a copyright notice on each photo, but my good friend Nuno (who is a kick ass concert photographer) told me to always do that.
First, let’s get digital out of the way:
My ex-roommate asked me to drop by his live presentation at Café Iguana.
He’s an amazing DJ… and this was his night.
It’s twice the fun to watch him wink you, just before he puts your favorite mixed song.
We both worked at the same company once… and just like that, life goes on:
Check out his site: http://www.myspace.com/djferh
He’s also working as a producer with some other guy: http://www.myspace.com/loudroomrec
T’was a fun night…
Film already!!!
These are some old scans from a Portra160NC:
Reala 100. Do they even make that film anymore? In the lovely store where they scratch the film sans extra fee, they sell it… and it’s dated, so I’m going with a “yes, they still make it”.

I hate banks. You give them money that produces them more profits, and t
hey charge you for so doing.
*drumrolls*
Yes! A lovely brick wall. Please note coma, chromatic aberration, pincushion and vignetting.
Ha!
Gotcha!
Nah, just for the fun of it, here is a brick wall:
This one serves to illustrate two things:
- Car accidents in Monterrey happen a-fucking-lot… most of the people drive like shit
- If you batch scan color film with automatic dust and scratch removal, you might end up with shadows like those here shown:
…and now… a commercial break…
I like the rolleiflex, but working out the square neg is quite challenging for me.
I can’t wait to see how my b/w homemade developing works with MF… so far with 35mm it’s going fairly well.
Now, starting with some images from my first attempts to develop Tri-x myself:

Xtol 1:3 – In this case I liked the result.
This individual’s stereo is probably double the cost of the old car he’s driving
I’m loving Xtol, and learning how not to mess up the Fixer (two practice rolls screwed, one good one screwed, but somewhat scanneable).
And all that mixing, pouring, and shaking produces this:
Delta 100
(Xtol 1:3)

E and I used to get our late night fix of tacos here. We would laugh at drunken juniors losing their dignity in public.
Now Delta 400:

Bus station. One way ticket. Sherezade is done with this place. This is her last picture here. Godspeed.
… and now Tmax 400 (Xtol 1:3):
I don’t know why cameras are prohibited in super markets. Is it because someone may photograph their layout? You could write it on a notepad. Are you documenting what they have in stock… well… you can write it down as well.
Anyway…
I went to the movies with N, and as we got out of the car, I saw this man sitting in a bucket. I’ve seen him around since I first came to this cinemas, about six years ago. It took me all this time, and the experience I’ve built until now to approach and ask for a portrait.
I was very happy to see he was was willing to sit for a moment and let me make a few frames.
He told me that he looked after this car for a friend who owned it.
He asked for a print, which I will be making next weekend.
This was a reminder to never leave the camera at home, or somewhere else… you never know where you’ll find something that makes you feel *that* rush pressing the shutter.

I see this guy every other day when going home from school; I think he collects aluminium cans and stuff.
Small social differences pictured.
Finally…Trix 400 (Xtol 1:1):
And this is life as I saw it happen.
So this is in a way, me.
The me I want you to know…
…exactly how I want you to know it.
Hope life catches you well,
J