The Disturbing Element Gallery
Salvador de Bahia, Brazil 2006
® Cynthia Johnson
“Moveable feast” and “waking dream” are the only phrases that come close to describing the delightful sensory overload that can overtake a visitor… “moments” everywhere!
First stop, the market…lanes of men pushing carts of all sorts laden with limes, bananas, peppers, corn, oranges flying by while you walk past stalls of pottery.
T-shirts, she–devil statues next to glittery madonnas, incense wafting through the air. Further on is the deli where hoof, eyeball (comes with eyelid & eyelashes), silvery fin and tentacles are 6 inches to your left and an elderly gentleman lingers over his cigar and cafezinho at the tiny café stall on the right. Later I walk past stalls of chickens of all manner of colors, doves, goats. On your third visit, you put on your most forlorn, sad–girl face and sum up your courage to ask: “Goatman” if you can take his picture. Harsh sounding tones fall out of his mouth; all you understand in the cursing is “basta.” He remains resolute.
Another stop, on the road to a photographer’s dream of a fishing village….in the afternoon, we’re standing in the home of a total stranger taking shelter from the downpour that seemingly crept up on the village out of nowhere. Or, in another true waking–dream–moment, you may find yourself locking eyes with a gypsy woman. It’s not polite to stare, but you just can’t help it. Reality really seems unreal as the group comes upon a woman consecrating the first year of her marriage with the Gods. We all follow her because she is a modern queen, orixa–like in her white lace, followed by her attendants bearing flower offerings. To whom these blooms are offered, you have little idea. She graciously allows a machine gun photo shoot all the while asking God to bless and protect the mad artists before her leaning this way and that.
If this wasn’t enough, then there is Ernesto himself. A great teacher and great human being. He never stopped working for us during the workshop; he was always on the look–out for additional events and locations that could yield magical moments. He never holds back on the truth, but tells it with compassion thus helping you to find your own truth. Thanks so much, Ernesto, I will be back! Cynthia Johnston
® Giorgio Negro
What a feast! What a joy! Human warmth that you can even touch, any moment of the day, anywhere you go. That’s how Brazil is. And that’s how taking pictures in Brazil feels like. Brazil is not an easy country. At every street corner, in every restaurant, on the buses and along the beaches, poverty is after the tourist (and the photographer). To remind him that here many are those who were born on the wrong side of that barrier, in a merciless society differentiating between the rich and the poor, the fortunate and the destitute.
No, this country is definitely not easy, but nobody will ever deny you a smile, or some of his joy (be it melancholic or without worries), or even a friendship that will last one hour or a lifetime, it’s up to you to decide.
A beautiful country. A place to go back to immediately, and shoot to tears. You’ll never forget it. Giorgio Negro
® Jonathan Chapman
Waking each morning there was no doubt “moments,” would be abundant. We saw deep below the surface and were quickly immersed and welcomed into the lives of the beautiful people of Salvador, Brazil. The people – mostly poor – were wealthy in energy and spirit in a way that was not only contagious, but also amazing to witness with a camera.
With a background in documentary photography and now working in the commercial realm – I have found myself lately more concerned with “creative fees” than the creativity of capturing images.
I came to the workshop to reignite what originally fueled my interest in photography. Ernesto not only reignited my interest, he encouraged me to look at my images more critically making sure every element has a purpose. Images I initially liked were quickly edited out. Rather than feel upset, I welcomed the challenge to keep working – more critically approaching each situation.
It is very difficult to capture a true “moment” – one that doesn’t feel forced or the subject feels too aware of the photographer’s presence. I leave the workshop wanting more from my images – more from my experience as a photographer – for this I am grateful.
Thanks Ernesto for sharing your passion and commitment to finding the “moment.” Your integrity and patience are infectious and it is obvious through the return of past students that you offer more than just an opportunity to shoot in an interesting place.
Thanks also to my fellow students – a great family we were for those 10 days. Hope to see everyone again I will definitely be back. Jonathan Chapman
® Marc Berry
Once again the winds of experience blew across my camera lens. As the sun of Salvador reminded me of where I was, I could feel the sweat of excitement and apprehension. With this second workshop, I have made strides in using my camera and felt much more at ease with my surroundings. This trip has helped me take a big step forward. Once again, Ernesto has helped me to “see” anew. With each review of the images, I am one step closer to gaining understanding of the mystery of photography.
Being back in NY, Salvador seems like a world away. I can still feel the sun beating down, and the smells of the riverbed I walked down two weeks ago. As I reflect on the photos, I can see the progression of the days and my work. The faces that stare back at me, and I can still hear their laughter. Of all the experiences I have had and places I have traveled to, Salvador sticks out as a key point in my life. I want to thank Ernesto and his love for the photographic “moment.” Both have provided support for my creativity. Marc Berry
® Michel Oliva
Each workshop is for me a door that opens toward a subtler “feeling” of what is unique to photography.
Ernesto doesn’t show what we have to look at, but rather how to see it. The strength of the vision that he has of this art is such that it echoes in the heart of those in search of beauty. Michele Oliva
