Sunday, July 24, 2022

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: CULTURE



Culture isn't just something we find only when we travel to a foreign country. Culture is all around us. 

Let's start with a definition, so we can all be on the same page. I searched several online definitions, but none of them seemed quite right for me. So, I combined a couple and came up with a composite that fits my needs for this blog. I have to admit that I sprinkled a couple of my own words into my final definition. By the way, my undergraduate was in sociology.

"The language, symbols, beliefs, values, mores, and folkways that are part of a group."
This definition allows for the inclusion of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, income groups, etc.

There are also what sociologists mistakenly call "subcultures"-- a group within a larger group.
I prefer the term "intra-cultures." They are part of a larger group. Sub implies under; below; less-than.  

With that operational definition, let me share a small segment of images I have taken throughout the years that depict various cultures, under the larger umbrella of U.S. citizens. 


New Orleans, Louisiana, aka, "Nawlins." While in the middle of the famous French Quarter, the sounds of a bass horn or tuba got my attention. As I got closer to the sounds, I saw this. Note the application of duct tape on his tuba! By the look of his cheeks, you know he's blowing. Can you hear it?




Several miles from New Orleans, several states northwest, is Boulder, Colorado. It is famous for Pearl Street Mall, an open concept shopping district that covers five blocks. It is always packed with activity, especially on weekends. On one of those weekends, there was a Mexican Independence dance troop displaying their Folklorico dances. They were so colorful and cheerful, with high-stepping Mariachi music as a backdrop. 

That day, in addition to photographing the beautiful young dancers, I also wanted to capture the essence of their dancing. In order to get what I call a "right brain" feel, I talked to my left brain and told it I needed a slow shutter speed, while I got on my knees and hand-held my camera, Click.Click.Click. Continuous shooting mode helps in these situations.



Let's stay with a Latin theme for a while. Let's head south from Boulder, Colorado. Let's go really south to the rich cultural city of San Antonio, which is now the second-largest city in Texas, second only to Houston. 

For the last several years, San Antonio has hosted its annual Conjunto Festival. A "conjunto" is a Tejano band normally consisting of a drummer, guitarist, bass player, Bajo sexto player (12-string guitar), and accordionist. Sometimes they add a separate singer to their repertoire, but most often the accordionist also serves as the lead singer.

I have attended two 'Festivals. During the several-hour festival, different conjuntos take the stage, adding variety and excitement to the evening's festivities. As I listened to the music during one of the festivals I attended, I started thinking, not of musicians per se, but the emotional and psychological color of the festival. I started shooting! 

This is a double exposure. The colorful "bubbles" is "flare" picked up by my lens--they added to the emotional color of the event.  




In Anadarko, Oklahoma, they have their awesome annual American Indian Exposition. There is so much to see in the town itself, which adds to the Expo. I have been to their exposition at least three times. Below are just a few samples of my interpretations.

I have spent hours absorbing this soul-to-the-earth indigenous culture in Anadarko during their Expos. I have seen historic shelters, magnificent outfits, plumage, tepees, dynamic dancing, drumming, and much more. On a side note, you might be interested in reading Chief Seattle's letter, "How Can You Buy or Sell The Earth?" I have it hanging on my wall in my home office.


          



I went to a Dragon Boat Festival in Denver one year and thoroughly enjoyed the sense of translucence throughout the festival. They had dragon boat races in the lake! It was awesome to watch, as boat teams competed for speed and awards. I saw people, food, signs, boats, team leaders, drumming, and even dragons. I photographed all that. However, the subjects I couldn't detach myself from were the delicately-designed parasols. I couldn't stop shooting. Here's why.




I think by now you can tell that, as a photo artist, what I shoot for (pun intended) is the essence of any culture. I'm not documenting the people; I am capturing their essence; their spirit. Color does a good job at that. It's no surprise I captured this next image during a Jewish Festival in Boulder, Colorado. Although I do take a lot of wide-angle shots that show several people in the scene, I prefer those "tight" shots. They take the viewer into the essence.




I'll leave you with one more. The Taos Pueblo is believed to be the longest continuously inhabited place in the United States. Below are two images from my many trips to Taos.

 

The time of year was perfect for the image on the left. The ground was covered with nature's own white sugar, as the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo mountains jockeyed for attention.
The image on the right shows a hint of a blue door overpowered by two adobe walls of nearby homes. By some accounts, blue, in some cultures, is supposed to keep away evil spirits.
A couple I know in Austin bought a second home in Taos. They chose this image to hang on their wall. 



So, next time you hear of a cultural event scheduled in your town or a nearby town, grab your camera and look for the essence of culture. Who knows, you might learn something new in the process.


Eli Vega, Photo Artist
www.elivega.net 
Eli Vega Photography on Facebook