Ake

The place was eerie, even more than the 1st time I went. And every time I've been there (this was my 3rd), something weird has happened to us.

If you take my advice, please never ever try to get there using the way sign posted at the highway, or you'll get stuck in a very long and extremely lonely dirt track that nobody ever uses. And then don't expect a warm welcome when you finally arrive to the place. This is godforsaken country as it ever was...

The Mayan ruins are enigmatic and lonely, and the Hacienda (the reason I wanted to get there on the first place)... completely eerie. Imagine a factory built in 1912, which remains operative (somehow) while it's building has been pretty much destroyed, half of the machinery salvaged, and what it's left in operation hasn't received any maintenance ever... It was the closest to "zombiland" that I've ever been.

To make things worse we'd to deal with a complete nutcase of a local hacienda worker. This picture should help you to understand this comment and the photos that I'll post in the next few days.

Cloister

Another one from last weekend's trip to Izamal. The summer sunset helped producing some amazing lights and textures.

Valladolid

Valladolid it's an old colonial Yucatecan town. Usually no more than a quick "souvenir-shopping" stop for tourists traveling to Chichen Itza, the town actually deserves better than that.

It has the oldest church in Yucatan (built in 1552), a spectacular cenote (Dzitnup), and a pretty good restaurant and charming hotel at the main square or "Zocalo" (El Meson del Marques).

I love to go there for dinner, and then walk around the square and check what the local Mayan ladies have for sale... Another candid shot, like the previous one.

Restaurante Kinich

I had to promise Bruce that I'd take Kika to this restaurant, so I finally did last Saturday. The best place to eat in Izamal, and the most charming too. The girls were having a laugh and I couldn't resist it, I'd to capture the scene.

The picture is slightly cropped, it was a candid snapshot so I didn't have the time to compose it. I like this one, makes me smile.

Izamal

Izamal (from the Mayan word "Zamná" translated as "dew from the sky"), it's one of my favorite places in the world. One that never disappoints every time I go back. This temple, the former San Antonio de Padua's Convent, was built over the remains of a previous Mayan structure. But it's not the only Mayan building within the city, as another four pyramids are part of the urban landscape of this amazingly beautiful and gentle place.

This weekend Kika and I hit the road and went to Izamal and some other remote places. It's was an eventful trip... one filled with images, and stories to tell.

The Beetle's House

Not, this is not Liverpool... but Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico.

Ferry to Isla Mujeres

I love ferry rides. Especially when it's sunny, on a weekend, and everybody is in a good mood. Which in the Caribbean it's pretty much always... I like this photo, it's sweet. It works for me.

Summertime

This is what summer it's all about... blue blue skies. Can't wait for the weekend. Miss the salty breeze, the sand and the sun. One more day, one more day...

NYC

A very simple composition. I guess I just like the way the light reflects on the window, and the contrast between the bricks and the deep blue sky. Somehow most of my NYC pictures ended up been building details and light reflections.

I fell in love with NYC, can't wait to go back.

Enrique Morente

The world is a very small place indeed. Fellow "granaino" Enrique Morente was playing in Mexico City this year. Not only my sister Merche was his youngest daughter's Music teacher at school, but he was too a close friend of my late uncle "Valiquin, el Titi". I've always admired his music, ever since I listened to Omega for the first time.

I never met him while living in Granada, but this time I had the chance to meet him personally. It was all part of a surprise gift by Kika, I didn't even know he was in town. He performed twice (a classical repertoire and the relaunch of his fusion work Omega) and both acts were magical. Quite simply, he must be the best flamenco singer of his generation.

I took this picture during the 2nd performance. Who says that P&S cameras and jpeg's can't be used for photo-reportage work? No flash, f4, 1/60 and 400 ASA. No post-processing either, I like it the way it looks. Years ago I used to be a sucker when it came to photo-equipment, nowadays I can't care less...

Caribbean Blue

I think that if I'd ever move to another place, this is what I'd miss the most... the blue skies and seas of the Caribbean...

Vladas

I've thinking for sometime now about shooting B&W film again, and today I spent the day browsing through old film scans. It's a long time that I don't shoot any film, at least a year and a half, and I do miss it. Sergio, a fellow friend photographer, donated me his lab a few months ago, so I guess that I don't have any excuses left!

So tomorrow I'll pay a visit to Sergio and see if he still has some D76 powder left... I'm lucky enough to have a freezer loaded with Agfa APX film, so it's time to give all that film a good use.

And just for nostalgy sake, I'm uploading an old portrait of Vladas, a much missed friend from my London days. BTW Does anybody remember Joe's Basement in Soho? That was the place where I used to take my film to be developed... Oh boy, how much do I miss those cool film days.

Ferry to Holbox Island

Street and photo-reporting photography is where I come from. And what I enjoy the most too.

This photo was captured on the ferry that connects Chiquila with the Island of Holbox about a year ago. I had just bought the G7 and was having as much fun using it, as I ever had with any other camera.

The light was bright and beautiful, the sea had that incredible shade of Caribbean Blue, and I was travelling with friends (and my then would-be fiance). What else can you ask for? A lovely day as it ever was.

The little girl was travelling with her grandmother. They both looked so happy and in synchrony with the place. When dolphins came to greet our ferry... I was ready to capture the moment.

Puerto Morelos

I took this one 2 weekends ago, in neighboring Puerto Morelos. The fishermen were having fun with all those birds flying around their boat trying to get their daily fish ration... The light was beautiful, a perfect summer day bathed in Caribbean blue..

Another one with the little Canon G7. Somebody once told me that the best camera is the one that you have in your hands, ready to shoot. I guess that's why I enjoy pocket cameras so much. They may have their limitations, but they're always ready at hand. A G7 may be slow to start up, but at least it's always in my jacket pocket, ready to go. I cannot say that about my big Oly, resting in its bulky back-pack... by the time it's out of the bag, and the lens cap has been placed in my pocket... the "definite moment" is long past.

Central Park

I love city parks. When I lived in London I used to walk through Hyde Park everyday to get to work... I was in NYC last month for the 1st time and couldn't but love Central Park. A secluded paradise within the city.

Not an spectacular picture, but one that reflects the charm of the place. As with all my pictures, no crop or post-processing was applied. Just a pure and unadulterated *.jpeg straight from the camera.

Rome

On days like this, I always wish I was there.

Of all places on Earth, I love Rome the best. And this building, the Pantheon, is quite simply magical.

Until you visit it, you can't possibly imagine how special it is, and not only because it inspired Brunelleschi's desing of Florence's Cathedral dome (and by consequence Michelangelo's St. Peter's or Wren's St. Paul's... or even the Capitol in Washington). Its top opening gives the interior a very peculiar atmosphere, with a permanent mist and even an ocassional light rain.

I used the Oly E500 with the consumer 14-45 zoom, hence the barrel distortion. Nevertheless I still like this picture. It brings happy memories.