It's within you

December 09, 2020 in journal

I love hearing from people who were inspired by my work or my words. It gives meaning to what I do.

A few years ago, I went through a period of struggle with my photography. It got boring and predictable, and I didn't like what I was making. It all felt the same, my work didn't feel mine, personal, unique, with my own style.

The Bronica changed all of that. It was a very different approach to photography: slower, more intentional and engaging.

And apparently, it's done the same for many people. This camera is a recurring theme in those messages, filled with stories of how it's changed the way they approach photography.

I'm very glad to hear those stories. While I don't usually like to talk about gear -it's just a tool after all-, some cameras can really spark joy and open a whole new way of seeing. The Bronica is definitely one of those cameras.

Some time has passed since the Bronica came to my life and changed my photography forever. I don't use it as often nowadays, but its effect is still profound. This is because it didn't really changed anything, it simply revealed what was already within me. The Bronica was the catalyst that brought the change, not the reason of it.

It's within you, too. Never think that your photography is tied to any camera or lens, or whatever piece of gear. You are an artist because of what you have in you, not because of the tools you use.

Where the Pacific meets the Cascades, and other recent videos

November 26, 2020 in journal

Still catching up after my road trip. I never shared the video I made in Northern Washington here, and that’d be a mistake. Washington is probably my favorite state (sorry, Oregon), and the coast and mountains north of Seattle are my favorite part of it. Beauty everywhere.

But there are some other recent videos I never got to share here:

Full Moon over Crater Lake, I couldn’t miss it. I drove over 7 hours to be at Crater Lake in time to witness a breath-taking moonrise.
She left me! No more excuses… My apologies for the clickbait-y title. But it’s true, Rachel had to go home for work, so I’m alone on the road. This just became a 100% photography trip.
A landscape is never done. I revisit some of my favorite spots in the Oregon Coast and I try to convince you why you should revisit landscapes. They are never “done”, and there’s always something new to find and capture.
Where’s the Bronica? I get asked about the Bronica very often.
How to do photography in bad weather (and why you should). Don’t let rain and snow stop you from getting out there, they are the very things that can make your next great image happen. A few tips about how I shoot in bad weather.
Some street photography in Portland. Rachel and I go on a walk on the streets of beautiful Portland with our cameras (Fuji X100T and Sony A7Rii) and try to make the best of a lovely fall evening.
Best thing you can do for your photography right now. It’s very simple, and yet very easy to forget. So easy that I have to keep reminding myself of the key to photography: just get out.
Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) in the woods of Portland. A very useful technique to make minimal and simple images in busy places. Useful even if we don’t like the results, as it will get us started and might be the spark we need to get inspired.

That’s quite a few videos, I guess I’ve been busy lately. And there are many more coming soon. I’ll be sharing them here, but don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. It really does help.

“Where’s the Bronica?”

October 19, 2020 in journal

"Beautiful images, but where is the Bronica?"

If someone paid me $1 every time I get asked about the Bronica, I'd be making a very comfortable living off of photography.

We like to say we don't care about gear but at the end of the day, it's what we pay the most attention to. After all, buying a new camera and learning how to use it is a clear goal, something actionable anyone can do. We feel like we make progress.

Figuring out what to do with that camera is harder, though. Even though the purpose behind our photography is all that matters in the end.

I struggle with this like everyone else, and sharing my journey as I try to get closer to the what and the why, and not the how, is my purpose.

What's yours?

"Windowless Homes" ~ Bronica SQ-Ai and Rollei Retro 400s

January 30, 2020 in journal

Windowless Homes is the working title of a project I've been working on about the architecture in my hometown. This project had been mostly digital, I wanted to add some film images so I took my Bronica, loaded some Rollei Retro 400s and hit the streets.

Don't let your camera outlive you

January 24, 2020 in journal

While not unexpected, I was a bit surprised to see the amount of concern raised by my video Shooting the Bronica in the rain.

"What had the Bronica done to you to mistreat it that way? Honestly, I didn't enjoy watching this video"

Let me be clear: I'm against camera abuse.

But also, don't forget: it's just a camera.

Some people like to collect cameras, put them on a shelf and enjoy seeing and touching them. I understand and respect that.

A camera that is not part of a collection, though, is a tool: a machine to make images. And like any other machine, it will eventually die.

"We must all either wear out or rust out, everyone of us. My choice is to wear out" -Theodore Roosevelt

I do choose to wear my cameras out (film and digital). This doesn't mean I'm careless, but I'm not going to think twice about exposing them to some rain, cold, heat, wind, snow or whatever the weather throws at me.

This wasn't the first rodeo for my Bronica, and it won't be the last. I can't think of a better way to honor it than using it to create beautiful images, so when the day finally comes it can proudly say: "I've done my job".

How to take long exposures with film

January 23, 2020 in journal

A short video where I try to clarify the process of making long exposures with film. Remember that I wrote a whole book about this topic that you can download for free. I also have a few articles about Long Exposure Photography on this blog. Please don't hesitate to drop me a line if you still have any questions.

Shooting the Bronica in the rain

December 15, 2019 in journal

Going compact

October 29, 2019 in journal

Hello from Freiburg, Germany. I've been on the road for just a week but this trip is already very different in many ways when it comes to camera gear.

You might remember I was struggling with gear and decided to leave behind most of it. The result is this: I've gone compact, I've been shooting photos with my old Sony RX100ii and videos with the RX100VA.

Developing film in half the time with CineStill Df96 monobath solution

July 19, 2019 in journal

I finally had the chance to try CineStill's monobath solution, Df96. This product promises to do the job of three chemicals, all in one: developer, bath stop and fixer.

While I could see how that would save a lot of time, I wasn't so sure about the results I could get.

I've only developed 2 rolls of Ilford HP5 with this solution, but so far, I'm pretty happy with the negatives. And the best of all: I was able to do it almost twice as fast.

I love shooting film, but developing it isn't my favorite thing to do. That's why I welcome anything that makes it easier and faster, like CineStill Df96.

These are some of the images from those 2 rolls, shot with a Bronica SQ-Ai and a Holga (this one was in the camera for over a year and still turned out mostly ok).

Hello, old friend

June 24, 2019 in journal

I'm back in Indiana, and that means I finally got reunited with my old friend.

This Bronica SQ-Ai is the original one, the one I used on my several trips across America. It's made photographs in many states, from Washington to South Dakota.

Unfortunately, I don't have a WLF to go with it, and I only have 2 lenses: the 80mm f/2.8 and the huge 250mm f/5.6. I'm also lacking a cable release and my beloved orange filter.

I can't wait to take it out there, though.

The Bronica Guy

May 20, 2019 in journal

Since I got my Bronica back in 2017, I’ve produced so much content with it (and about it) that some people started to identify me as the Bronica guy.

Many stumbled upon my work while looking for information about these cameras (and film in general). Over time, a large part of my audience was built around the Bronica.

My camera was becoming more important than what I was creating with it.

As I realized about this, I started to wonder if those new eyeballs were looking at my images or at my camera. Would they stop being interested in my photography if I didn't shoot the Bronica? Would they look away if I shot digital?

I doubted myself and my work.

The Bronica had taught me so much about photography. And yet, it was making me feel trapped, even if this was a mostly self-imposed sentiment.

I knew what I had to do: to the disappointment of many, I decided to leave the Bronica behind on this trip. Not only because it'd be a pain to carry, but also because I could break that Bronica guy label once and for all.

This was one of my most productive trips and I'm very proud of the work I did on the road. It's all digital, it feels liberating, and I can't wait to use my Bronica again.

Image of the Month, March 2019: "Morning Mist"

March 11, 2019 in journal

Morning Mist is the Image of the Month for March.

I made this image on a beautiful and chilly summer morning at Trillium Lake, in the Mt Hood National Forest.

This is one of my favorite spots near Portland, and I'd drive over there many times before heading to work. It was a peaceful and unforgettable way to start my mornings (even though the drive was more than 2 hours round-trip).

This image is part of my work and current exhibition America Untitled.

artist contract

A new image will be released every month and offered at a reduced price during that time. After 30 days, it will be sold at full price. They will never be on sale at any time in the future, the rate during the first month will be the lowest, ever.

want to know more?

You can find more information about how I create my images and all the details about pricing on The Art and Craft behind my prints.

"Morning Mist" is available for purchase here.

Galician Still Life: Bronica and Ilford FP4

March 03, 2019 in journal

These are some of the images I've made of some objects with my Bronica and Ilford FP4. Watch the video here.

Video: “Silent Shooting with the Bronica and Ilford HP5”

February 24, 2019 in journal

Still life photography with the Bronica and Ilford FP4

February 21, 2019 in journal

I want to start adding some still life images and portraits into my projects. In this video, I make some images of tools and old objects to be included in a future project.

"Wildlife" photography fail with the Bronica

February 13, 2019 in journal

I woke up to thick fog, so I quickly grabbed my bag and ran outside. I had no plans and somehow ended up trying to make images of storks. After a failed attempt with the Bronica, I went back to the location and finally made an image I love. I also shoot power lines, of course.

"America Untitled" Photography Exhibit in A Coruña, Spain

February 09, 2019 in journal

Some highlights from the most recent exhibit of my work America Untitled, in A Coruña, Spain.

Magic, Sil River, January 2019

February 02, 2019 in photographs

I made this image with my Bronica SQ-Ai. It was one of those special moments when you can't believe what you are seeing through the viewfinder. Something so beautiful that you fear your image won't do it justice.

After this shot, I took a bunch with my digital camera (the fog was moving really quick and presented a lot of different compositions), but this is still my favorite.

What a beautiful morning.

I made a short movie that day that you watch here.

The Mobile Darkroom: printing without negatives and enlarger

January 21, 2019 in journal

I was sick for all of last week. This gave me a lot of time to think, and I came up with a little project: building a darkroom as basic as possible so I could bring it with me everywhere.

This is still an on-going project, and in this video I share my thought process and the first results. I expect to have a much more refined and polished process by next week, along with the first final, serious prints.

Image of the Month, January 2019: "Awakening City"

January 04, 2019 in journal

The first Image of the Month of 2019 is here: Awakening City.

Awakening City was the image I had in mind when I was heading to Chicago, almost a year ago.

It took me a bit longer than expected to find the perfect spot, and it was only on my last day in the city that I was able to make the image I wanted.

This might look like a peaceful and beautiful scene, but that morning of late January was one of the coldest I've ever experienced.

Tne effort was completely worth it, though. This is one of my favorite images I've ever made, and it's part of the work I'm currently exhibiting, America Untitled.

Note: I'm keeping the image of December 2018, Wild West, at a discounted price until 11:59PM PST on Sunday 6th, due to an unusual busy Christmas time.

artist contract

want to know more?

You can find more information about how I create my images and all the details about pricing on The Art and Craft behind my prints.

"Awakening City" is available for purchase here.