A Fresh Start - Guatemala the Culture the People

[Robert Watcher]

Coming to Guatemala a day ago after spending parts of 4 years in Nicaragua - - - is like NIGHT AND DAY. Guatemala is much more like being in a city in the United States.

We haven't made it to our destination of Xela yet as we wanted to stop on the way and get a taste of the capital Guatemala City and today will be spending time in beautiful Antigua a hour and a half away.

Walking the streets in the centre of town reminds me of our memorable experiences in San Jose, Costa Rica. The main street heading out from the government buildings, is a long strip of people walking, artisans and performers, and stores and malls with everything the eye desires.

I have been warned about the dangers of having a camera in many parts of the city such as here - but I my adventure is to take pictures after all - - - also I was told that I wouldn't have the freedom of taking photos of people and that to take any, I would have to pay them.

At least those were warnings from a few individuals and research on the web prior to coming. But I have heard the same things when we were in Costa Rica and as well Nicaragua - so I will continue to use common sense and photograph the people and the culture as before. I'm only one afternoon into my street shooting, but the experience was amazing and satisfying.

Here are a few of the 700 photos that I took along this stretch yesterday afternoon. For many of my shots I was able to stop and talk to the people for a while, ask their name and tell them my name and that I am Canadian and have moved to Guatemala - which opened up more discussion about the weather and sports. I then asked if I could take their photo - - - including a policeman - and all but one young boy selling toys with his father closely, agreed and requested nothing for it.

Photos taken with mirrorless camera Olympus E-PL5 and 14-42 kit lens.

 

[Robert Watcher]

Policeman named Mynor Leonel

Mayan Woman Sleeping on the Job

Artist named Luis David

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

Glass Engraver named Jose Luis

Jewelry Maker and Metal Engraver named Dionicio

Man Sitting on Window Ledge named Wilbur

​

 

[Asher Kelman]

It's both amazing and wonderful how you manage to insert yourselves within the pulse of a new conmunity with such ease.

These are very special and great sampling a of the life there!

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

Jewelry Maker and Metal Engraver named Dionicio




​

Such an interesting fellow how he's coiffed!

 

[Dave Butcher]

Great photos Robert.

 

[Robert Watcher]

We have quickly gotten settled in Xela in the western highlands of Guatemala. Our altitude is just under 8,000 feet. The days are nicely warm and evening quite cold - even getting to freezing and a bit below on some nights. There is no heat in most homes, so lots of warm clothing and blankets are a requirement.

Within 1 day of arriving in Xela from Guatemala City, we were able to find a very nice apartment situated in a very convenient location in the large city. Photography will not be in the same order as it was in Nicaragua. There are photo opportunities, but much different and probably not as varied - - - as Xela is a quite modern city and except for the many Maya women, children and families in the streets and markets - I am harder pressed to find such unique subjects and content as I have had the last 3 years in Nica.

One thing that Anne and I love is that the city is wrapped in mountains and a couple of volcanoes. As I was walking around town I was trying to imagine where I may be able to find a rooftop to gain access to - so that I could have an overview of the city and mountainscapes. Then one recent evening I wondered if I went up the flights of stairs in our 4 floor apartment building - if I could get a more interesting viewpoint out of one of the stairways windows - than from our 2nd floor balcony.

Well as I nears the top floor, I found that a door was open onto the roof. I walked out onto the cement pad, to find that I was fully exposed to the whole city and surroundings - in all directions - virtually unobstructed. Our building happens to be in one of the highest places in the city. For this alone, our rent was worth it.

Here are some photos that I have taken over the past week, from our rooftop:

​

 

[Dave Butcher]

Very nice I especially like the middle one with its different colors

 

[Robert Watcher]

65% of the population in Xela are Maya. We have a street market just 3 blocks from our home when we pick up fresh radishes, green onions, carrots, beets and fruits almost every day. I snapped a few shots of the women working in the market the other day. As before, I will be taking prints to them. Fortunately there are many photo processing stores in Xela:

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

Here is a selection of Street Images that I took around Central Park this afternoon:

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

​

 

[Dave Butcher]

I love all of these Robert. I wish I could find a safe area in Las Vegas to take photos like these besides the strip.

 

[Robert Watcher]

I love all of these Robert. I wish I could find a safe area in Las Vegas to take photos like these besides the strip.

Thanks Dave.

I'm actually always reminded by locals that many of the areas that I am photographing in are 'dangerous' and that I shouldn't be showing my camera. I just try to be as discrete and quick as possible when in such areas. Of course I'm not heading into places that are known gang or drug areas, as there would be real danger there.

 

[Dave Butcher]

Thanks Dave.

I'm actually always reminded by locals that many of the areas that I am photographing in are 'dangerous' and that I shouldn't be showing my camera. I just try to be as discrete and quick as possible when in such areas. Of course I'm not heading into places that are known gang or drug areas, as there would be real danger there.

That is a very smart idea Robert. I know that when I am out is some areas of Las Vegas I will shoot with my cell phone as apposed to taking a risk of getting my camera stolen. It is hard here in Vegas to tell what areas are safe anymore. We have reports daily of shootings and stabbings from all over town even in areas like Southern Highlands and Sumerline which are all very exclusive neighborhoods of Vegas.

 

[Robert Watcher]

An Interesting Collection of Architectures in Xela - from Modern American to Colonial to Corinthian to European (German, Spanish) - dates going back to the 16th Century. Lots of Character in the streets.

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

People Busy in the Streets

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

In the same way that sewing machines are still operated by foot treadle - - - Candy Floss machines prevail and operate by hand crank - generally turned by a son as was the case here last night:

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

TEXTURE AND COLOUR

​

 

[Robert Watcher]

Street Vendors

​

 

[Asher Kelman]

This work is so rich that the pictures in color make me think that how on earth could this community be adequately photographed in monochrome. Then the B&W come along and blow me away!

I have to restart from the beginning, but there is so much to take in.

Generous photography! You bring so much life to these pages!

Asher

 

[Robert Watcher]

Thank you Asher.

 

[Robert Watcher]

It's been a bit since I set my Olympus E-PL5 to Grainy Black and White in square format - so that all processing is done in camera. But that is how I went about shooting the streets of Xela, Guatemala this afternoon.

Two and half hours of exploring narrow streets, twists and turns and dead-ends, produced around 300 shots from which there will be a large selection of prized (by me) images.

The first image is one I am very proud of. It is definitely my PIC OF THE DAY. I turned a corner and there was this incredible composition and light tonality just waiting for me to take advantage of.

Image #1

Image #2

Image #3

​

--------

I ended up with several very interesting images containing silhouettes of people. Here are 2 of them:

Image #4

Image #5

​

 

[Asher Kelman]

Image #5

​

This may not be your pick of the day, but it one that really fascinates me and has an exceptional amount of draw.

Asher

 

[Robert Watcher]

Image #5

​

This may not be your pick of the day, but it one that really fascinates me and has an exceptional amount of draw.

Asher

I totally agree Asher. I am so pleased the way this image turned out.

What was interesting to me is that I noticed the man on the phone standing at the street corner and the great setting behind him.

The way I saw it through my camera, is that I was hoping that he would move more to the center for a real symmetry with the curved wall and window. It is a busy intersection and so I patiently waited hoping that would happen. But it wasn't.

My concern then was that he would walk off or turn away from me or that if he did move into position, I may end up with cars blocking my clear view of the corner. So I adjusted the camera to include the Una Via sign and framed him offset.

He was having intense discussion on the phone and was turning away from me, bending over at the waist. Finally the moment in this image where he was positioned perfectly, and there were no obstructions of people or cars going through my frame. He had lost the phone signal and stared at the phone for the few seconds that I took this shot ---- then looked up at me on the other corner. My opportunities were over.

When I opened the image in Lightroom, I knew I had nailed it. And I actually feel the composition is superior to what I intended to put in the frame when I first noticed the man standing there.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Yes, it's great when serendipity adds the final touch of magic to a fabulous observation!

Asher

 

[Robert Watcher]

One reason that I like to make use of this built in camera filter from time to time - is that the camera places the dark film frame around the perimeters, which means that I accept the composition as the photo is captured.

It is a nice exercise for me to practice periodically - because I am a person who captures quickly and I always crop to perfect the frame.

 

[Robert Watcher]

Some Guatemala Colour - 1

Colour #1

Colour #2

Colour #3

​