Strive to photograph the truth. – Henri Cartier-Bresson After reading this great essay on Cartier-Bresson, it motivated me to choose my next image exactly with the sentiment of the quote. Again, another example of the Daido style I’ve been blogging about recently. So with that said, I invite you to click here to view it large and after please feel free to comment what exactly did you feel when you saw the image. It doesn’t matter if its a one liner ie. raw or grunge, just whatever the image evokes within you please. Thanks, Jorge

Continuing my series on Urban Portraits, I must really tell you all the story. Well, its not really a story but a brief anecdote. As I strolled thru the streets of Downtown I suddenly saw her and I knew it was a matter of maybe 10 seconds and our paths were going to cross for that split moment. I was ready though, my main street slugger so far, the ricoh was born ready(snap mode). She had a strong gaze and I knew I wanted it a unique “point of view” so I chose to go with the Daido style of shooting but this time, I adapted to this particular situation. I cross my hands, camera on the right hand, and I snapped the frame and just when I snapped, she told me to “Mama see you”. Lesson of the story. Sometime one tries to be a ninja but it doesn’t always work but photography often times doesn’t give another shot, its one shot, one kill type of mentality but more like one click, one frame, …

Street photography is filled with many instances when one has to simply go out and get the shot, this is one of those times. As I finished my photo walk through Downtown and I walked towards my car, all of a sudden my gaze went across the street where these kids were waiting for the bus. In that moment, I knew I had to stop everything and grab that shot. I walked over with the “ricoh” and pretended I was waiting for the bus and I basically took about 5 to 6 shots which were ok but not really compelling. I then remembered Capa’s famous quote “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough” and then I basically stood in front of them as I look elsewhere and click. Such is the stealthiness of this digicam.

A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues. – Theodore Roosevelt Economic adversity has risen to unparalleled levels for our current generation. The American dream seems to be further away to a larger segment of our population. Let’s keep our voices united and help those who have less. This is the story of Margaret, an American woman, who had lost her job on a factory who moved abroad for cheaper labor. Its a two part story because I first photographed her without her even noticing, but then I bumped into her as I progressed through my photo walk that afternoon and I felt compelled to approach her. A very sad story indeed and one that almost seems could have been avoided. I’m sure we all know or know of people in similar circumstances all over America. 2012 American politics is here, let’s see what we’re going to do.