Audrey Hepburn Mural

In the heart of New York City's Little Italy, a stunning mural pays tribute to the legendary British actress Audrey Hepburn.

I decided to shoot it in black and white with a film camera since it adds a touch of nostalgia and charm to this already captivating piece of art. She is located on the corner of Mulberry Street and Broome Street. It captures Audrey Hepburn’s most iconic role, as Holly Golightly in the classic film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." In many ways, the mural of Audrey Hepburn is a celebration of the past. It pays tribute to a legendary actress who has left an indelible mark on popular culture and is captured in a medium that harkens back to a time before the digital age. It just needed to be shot in film and that’s what I did.

This mural is a timeless piece of art that will continue to capture the imagination and inspire awe for many years to come.

New York Road Runners 2022

NYC Marathons are always iconic events in my view. As a photographer, covering such an event can be both exhilarating and challenging to shoot.

The New York Road Runners (NYRR) is a nonprofit organization that creates inspiring events and along with the City of New York provides a platform for the running community and has many upcoming events every year. Over the past 64 years, they have grown from a local running club and now have the world’s premier community running organization with a mission to help through this wonderful sport.

On the technical end of the spectrum, to capture good shots during a dynamic event like this one, the best advice I can give is to make sure you choose the right shutter speeds. In my opinion and depending on the composition, 1/1000th of a second or faster is ideal. Also having the camera ready for burst mode could be helpful as well, this will give you more options to choose from. Don’t forget about the crowds. They add a special energy that only the runner community can provide.

In summary, shooting a runner event in NYC can be a thrilling and rewarding experience for a photographer, and the more you shoot it the better you’ll get. So grab your camera and head out to the next runner event in NYC – you never know what incredible shots you might capture.

Veterans Day Parade 2022

Honoring Our Heroes

The annual NYC Veterans Day Parade 2022

The annual Veterans Day Parade is one of the biggest events of the year and has been held in New York City since 1919, is basically the largest Veterans Day event in the country.

It attracts over 20,000 participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators. The parade is a way for New Yorkers to show their appreciation and support for the men and women who have served our country.

The parade typically starts at 11:11 AM on November 11th, which is the exact time that the armistice was signed to end World War I. The route begins at 26th Street and Fifth Avenue and ends at 52nd Street and Fifth Avenue. The parade features marching bands, military units, and veterans from all branches of the armed forces.

In conclusion, the New York City Veterans Day Parade is a great event to attend and photograph. With a little planning and careful attention to detail, you can capture some amazing photographs and show your support for the brave men and women who have served our country.

Unprecedented Indictment Forces NYC into Lockdown

On April 4, 2023, former president Donald Trump made his way through NYC in order to surrender to authorities following a historic indictment.

Yes, the United States is currently experiencing politically polarizing times. The country is divided on a number of issues, including but not limited to social, economic, and cultural issues. This polarization is reflected in the political landscape, with political parties and their supporters holding deeply divergent views on a range of topics. This has led to a highly charged political environment where compromise and cooperation are often difficult to achieve, and where partisan gridlock has become a common feature of the political landscape. Whether one views Trump as a charismatic and effective leader or as a divisive and controversial figure, it is undeniable that he has had a significant impact on American politics and culture in recent years and continues to be a subject of intense interest and debate.

Bronx Celebrates Dominican Culture at Annual Day Parade

Bronx Dominican

Day Parade 2022

A Sunday afternoon to remember.

The Bronx Dominican Day Parade is an annual event that celebrates the Dominican culture and heritage in the Bronx, New York City. It was held on a Sunday afternoon, and it was an opportunity for the Dominican community in the Bronx to come together and showcase their culture, traditions, music, and dance. The streets were filled with colorful costumes, flags, and banners, as well as the sounds of merengue, bachata, and salsa music.

The parade started at noon at Grand Concourse and East Tremont Avenue and continued along the Grand Concourse to 167th Street. Participants included local organizations, schools, dance groups, and businesses, all of which came together to celebrate their heritage and show off their talents. One of the highlights of the parade was the food, with many vendors lining the streets, and selling traditional Dominican dishes such as empanadas, mofongo, and arroz con pollo. The aroma of the food filled the air, adding to the festive atmosphere of the event. The Bronx Dominican Day Parade has become an important tradition in the Bronx, not only for the Dominican community but for the entire borough. It serves as a reminder of the diverse cultures that make up the Bronx and the importance of celebrating and respecting them.

Overall, the 2022 Bronx Dominican Day Parade was a huge success, with a fantastic turnout and an abundance of energy and excitement. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon filled with music, dance, food, and celebration, bringing together people from all walks of life to enjoy the rich and vibrant culture of the Dominican Republic.

FDNY responds to a balcony fire

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and this means fireworks.

A dangerous situation can unfold in a matter of seconds. The fire broke on the 16th-floor balcony of a Manhattan high-rise on St Nicholas Avenue, Monday, July 4th, 2022. There was no information on the cause of the fire, thankfully, no injuries were reported, however, incidents such as this one put into perspective how dangerous it could be to leave the apartment windows open on a night like the 4th of July in NYC. The illegal use of fireworks has become a growing concern for the uptown residents of NYC, and with an increasing number of complaints about loud explosions, and debris falling from the sky or even entering apartment windows, it now looks like the issue has become widespread throughout the metropolitan area.

With that said.

From a photographer’s perspective, this kind of event can be challenging, but it also provides an opportunity to capture a powerful and meaningful image. When photographing a news event like a fire, there are a few things to keep in mind. You must prioritize your safety follow any instructions from authorities, respect the working space of the professionals who need real estate (space) to carry out their work, and be respectful of how you photograph people who are visibly distressed or in distress. On the technical end, I can’t provide much advice since in every situation all settings are going to be unique, so you will have to figure things out on your own and in real-time. Some photographers rely on their camera’s semi-automatic features and like me some stay in manual settings.

I must stress the importance of prioritizing safety and respect. With all these considerations in mind, photographers can capture stunning and powerful images while still maintaining a safe and responsible approach.

National Dominican Day Parade 2022

National Dominican Day Parade

An event that has become an integral part of the cultural fabric of New York City.

Yes, the Dominican Day Parade in NYC is one of the most important and significant cultural events that draw large crowds every year. It celebrates the Dominican community and its culture, featuring colorful costumes, traditional dances, and of course its music.

As one of the largest immigrant groups in New York City, is no surprise that an event of this scale is a massive challenge for a photographer to take on. There is so much to look at in so many places and there is only one of you. This particular event was the 40th Anniversary of the NDDP which took place on August 14, 2022 and was a lot of fun shooting it. My advice for any photojournalist that wishes to cover an assignment like this one is to be as prepared as you can.

Starting with a simple research online, find out the route so that you can use key vantage points to take better photos. Look for interesting people, perhaps VIPs, or political figures if you wish to make that part of your work. It’s important to know that each of our clients has different needs, as we don’t all get the same assignment, some of us have go for a more general coverage, and a few have specific instructions that don’t allow for an overall perspective of the event.

Equipment. Assuming you already have a camera, the lens you use is crucial. There is no need for high-end lenses, a kit lens will do just fine, and don’t forget to get extra batteries and memory cards as backup.

Shoot Raw. This will allow you to make edits that won’t compromise the quality of the image in case you need to do heavy post-production.

And finally. Be respectful, to the audience, and participants, this includes your fellow photographers, and of course law enforcement. Don’t forget to hydrate, keep your eyes open and keep safe.

“The Dominican community in NYC adds a unique flavor and energy that enriches the lives of all who call this city home”

— johnguira

A bird's eye view

NYC is a city known for its impressive skyline, with towering skyscrapers that seem to touch the clouds. The city is often photographed from the ground usually downtown somewhere and in color. I opted to change things up and shoot uptown instead of downtown, monochrome rather than color, and a bird’s eye view vs ground eye level.

I was at the mercy of my surroundings and found myself a bit overwhelmed at first since there is so much to look at from here, hence I thought it would be a good idea to include an architectural element that can help the audience process this frame gradually from the right. Perception can be influenced by many factors, such as culture, personal preference, and even language I feel. In truth I wanted this picture to focus on everything all at once, but I understood I needed to be careful so that the audience can appreciate the intricacies of the picture without being startled.

My overall advice is to consider the audience, it helps ensure the picture remains relevant hence increasing engagement and more time appreciating your picture. After all that is all a photographer wants right?

Vulnerability

In my opinion, the value of a photograph has nothing to do with technical knowledge. Quality has nothing to do with beauty or exposure all the time, for me, sensitivity is a powerful medium that can evoke empathy and raw authentic emotion allowing us to experience humanity.

Getting my subjects to display vulnerability is a priceless gift that I very much cherish. This frame represents all of us, and it reminded me of how two presences can vibrate together through the air without saying one word.

Mod Crd - Nana

“Vulnerability is basically the unfiltered lens that defines the rawness of the human experience. ”

— JohnGuira

Patterns and Structure

Shooting structures like these can provide a sense of order, I personally like to let geometry dominate the frame whenever possible and think ahead on how best to use the contrast created between wide solid structures, skinny metal beams, and the spaces where there will be no bouncing light. Taking all these things into perspective will support the visual characteristics of a black-and-white composition.

Take advantage of our brain’s natural need to organize patterns and place things in order, while keeping that in mind, remember that leading lines are powerful compositional tools that can guide the viewer’s eye through an image. Guide your audience, but also make them wonder, and experiment with your environment.

Don’t worry about overexposing or underexposing, screw perfect exposure, with film, you have to be intentional, go for it, and push the film to do what it does best, a moody and dramatic feel.

Trying a Different Perspective

The New York City subway system is one of the busiest in the world. Despite the constant flow of people, buzz, and stimulation, it can also be a place of profound loneliness. I feel this picture represents a small part of the impersonal and anonymous nature of the subway experience.

A picture with a certain level of intimacy and a bit of tension or unease coupled with a spontaneous unposed subject can draw the viewer into the moment being captured in the photograph. I took this shot with a 35mm camera from my waist and did not place the camera at eye level, this help me take it at a low angle and add a different perspective.

Overall, capturing unplanned moments can add a sense of spontaneity, authenticity, and visual interest to your photography. So, next time you're out with your camera, try to be open to the unexpected and see what kind of unplanned moments you can capture.

“Black and white photography is the abstraction of reality, a purified representation that reveals the essence of the subject ”

— Javier Arres

Playing Dominican Guira

What an instrument this is!

It’s light, shiny, and sexy. I played it for many years since I was a teenager and still after all this time the special feeling I get when I execute the instrument has never faded away.

There is a lot I can say about this Dominican instrument “Guira”, and I think I already have, which is why this blog won’t be structured around the instrument or the person playing it. Do feel free to visit, share and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you wish to learn more.

This short post will revolve around this picture, the subject’s body language, energy, attitude, and physicality which to me as a fellow Guirero myself, hit home.

The red you see in the shot was natural, not photoshopped, and it allowed me to make my subject stand out, hence I raised my ISO to achieve a dramatic punch. My intentions for this composition were to disregard the noise, forget about the grainage and focus on creating a dramatic effect, and for that, you have to compromise a bit. Whenever I shoot concerts, I try reading the style of the lights being used, their trajectory, color, and basically their behavior which helps me understand how they will project on my lens. The challenge is to anticipate the moving lights while adjusting exposure and placing myself on an angle that can help tell my subject’s story.

What’s the story about this picture? This frame is a moment in a Guira player’s life cycle.

This is where we are:

Listening without using the ear.

Playing parts in time but fast forward the song in your head.

In front of a universe of people, but we’re alone in our own world.

Talking and expressing ourselves without using our voice.

Smiling internally not externally

In the moment, present, connected, happy, and fulfilled.

There are a few of us that play this instrument, that just like me will celebrate and unpack this image, and feel the same way I do. Perhaps not a great shot, but a great moment in time.

Architectural Photography

Architectural Photography is the latest challenge I’ve faced in my career as a photographer. Definitely a quieter and more peaceful process, unlike fashion, or editorial projects where you have moving subjects and a crew to direct. These factors have made this style of photography special, as it allows me to reflect and understand the amazing energy and details of Architecture Design. Concentration and planning are essential, especially when you don’t like to crop, and rather use every single pixel the sensor has to offer to make the composition at the moment you take the shot, vs fabricating it post-editing.

My approach to a massive operation like this one is to simplify what I’m looking at, in order for my brain to process things easier.

I start by setting my camera in monochrome to avoid getting overwhelmed by the variety of existing bouncing light, and then I use the good old squinting technique which tends to pull out more visual contrast, by doing this I can:

• Expose better.

• Avoid getting distracted with the overall lighter and brighter parts of the composition.

• Deal better with mix tricky lighting.

• Identify the segment and parts of the visual space better.

In conclusion, by taking all these extras away, I feel that the structure is the only one that remains.

“New ideas often need old buildings”

— Jane Jacobs

Photography: "Purpose & Composition"

How are the elements of your photo arranged? Well, that depends on you and what you wish to convey in your composition. There are several ways to display a message in a frame. These are a set of rules that would enhance the aesthetics of your work, and when used properly, would help present a more interesting and compelling impression to the viewer. These rules are generally known as the “Main Composition Rules Of Photography”. Personally, I don't always respect the rules as I try to stay away from tradition, and besides, rules are meant to be broken and are for me to abuse or respect at my discretion depending on what I want my audience to feel. I won't list them all here, since the purpose of this article is not devoted to teaching techniques, but to provide a sense of "Purpose". You see, the idea that you have to get everything right is absolutely contradictory to what photography is meant to be. Purpose has nothing to do with principles and calculations such as the rule of thirds, negative space, symmetry, depth, triangles, and even colors. Purpose is the one objective that will supersede the technical principles, since putting more focus on the human aspect, emotion, description, and portrayal of your story will instinctively help you express your creativity. With your purpose in place and reason to be, we can finally include the rest of the fundamentals for aesthetics, but don't let your ambition for perfection in composition hinder your intentions.

“Now, to consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravity before going for a walk.”

— Edward Weston

Nude Photography

I think photography is a way to manifest an expression, starts internally, and eventually makes its way out on to the world. Now, expressing your vision to the talent or crew you’re going to work with could become tricky, and if not done correctly, it could impact product value. It’s recommended, that the presentation of a project of this nature should be clear and to the point to help everyone on board understand your intentions, goals, and vision. Trust, honesty, and integrity are the main goals for a project of this kind. All these principles will be the ones photographers lean on to help create chemistry with the parties involved in the photoshoot. With all these factors already in place, we can finally proceed to do the photo-shoot session. For me, the true meaning of a creative nude shoot is to express and empower everyone whose craft is on display, in particular the person who you will depend on most. Your subjects!

“He who does not master the nude cannot understand the principles of architecture.

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— Michelangelo

Smartphones and Photography

Every year, smartphone companies seem to be pushing the limits and boundaries of photography. Not only can they take a properly exposed image, but they’re able to retouch them in the blink of an eye. Bright colors, high dynamic range, low light sensitivity and image stabilization: all layered in a composite that once is processed end up getting closer and closer to traditional digital full sensor cameras.

But what is the definition of a good picture?

We could argue that cellphone companies have trained us (consumers) to accept that brighter saturated colors are better, and should be considered superior quality. Perhaps smartphones have transformed our point of view on what’s considered a good or a bad picture.

The truth is that these mobile devices are shaping the way we see, judge and feel about photography. With thousands of YouTube influencers using their expertise in photography providing millions of followers with smartphone camera picture reviews, mobile companies have no choice but to push the limits of what we consider beautiful or acceptable quality. Smartphone technology goes as far as to reshaping your face on the spot, and make the front facing camera give you a subtle slender look. All this happens before you even snap the shot as the software will compensate and decides all the characteristics of the shot right out the gate.

The smartphone industry understands our insatiable need to look full of life, healthier and younger. It is no secret why most selfies are taken slightly above the head as we think this phenomenon makes us look flattering. We seek what we want to see, and smartphones provide us with that and a little bit more.

Facts: Your smartphone is a computer with a lens and a dedicated chipset along with a GPU that automatically decides how the image will look based on preset algorithms, altering facial features and skin as well as finding a sort of golden ratio which in return makes you feel awesome. Yes, we can say that our smartphones lie to us on the spot, and we choose to look away from it.

“The illusion has become real, and the more real it becomes, the more we want it.”

— Gordon Gekko

With all this said, there is no better camera than the one you hold in your pocket. As photography is not all about the focus or sharpness but more about the moments.

Runway Photography - Bad habits to avoid during fashion week

Runway fashion photography is one of the most exciting and challenging styles of photography there is, but also the most rewarding. The job is hard and requires patience as photographers have to endure long hours in positions that are not favorable to the body, and are restricted of movement due to lack of space. Below I will go over the most important things to avoid if you are planning to shoot a runway show from the photographer’s pit. More details Here

Moving: Constantly hitting others while in the process of moving the camera away from their face to review their shot (For each and every shot).

Arm Spreading: Adopting a considerable extended placement of the elbows outward versus inward, hence becoming an obstacle for others.

No mono-pod: Photographers who don’t have a support system will forever remain struggling to hold their telephoto lens and constantly have to readjust their position due to fatigue.

Flash: Placing a speed-lite on the body of the camera even though there is no need for it or using flash when no flash is allowed in the event.

Tripod: Using a tripod vs a mono-pod for stills. Big no-no.

Attitude: Not being kind to others and not cooperating fully.

In general these are the few things that may be of nuance while the work takes place, however the good always will outweighs the bad. 

Placing your eye in the viewfinder, composing your shot syncing, and anticipating the models subtle movements and getting the shot is definitely worth the discomfort mentioned above.

“Overall the honest truth is that shooting the runway will keep you sharp and disciplined and I recommend anyone out there that has not done it enough to continue to subscribe to their local fashion shows and or fashion week in their city. Eventually you will learn from your mistakes and challenge yourself in the occasion.”

— JohnGuira Photo

Seconds Before LRAD

When the inevitable happened and the name on this building came in to play in politics I grabbed my DSLR camera, got on the subway and headed towards 59th street in New York City. I found myself with what I knew would be the first protest of this magnitude. As I struggled to make my way in to the crowd I was able to get this vantage point that overlooked the Trump building head-on, and in that very moment I overheard a police radio call that gave the order to the man to the right of this picture to use the long range acoustic device to disperse the crowd immediately.

Not knowing what to expect seconds after the order was given, I quickly took out my camera and shot the very moment the officer grabbed the controls to execute (LRAD) towards the crowd in front of him.

Eventually the device was never triggered, as the officer received a consecutive radio call ordering him to stand down and wait for further instructions literally just a seconds after been given the green light to engage the crowd and disperse it using this high frequency speaker. I can definitely say we got lucky.

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No DSLR, No Problem

No DSLR ? No problem! All you need is your imagination and the good old phone you got in your pocket to achieve these unedited images

Geometry

Sometimes cool ideas and weird imaginative perspectives can manifest themselves completely out of nowhere and just like that, in a blink of an eye one can start to be more in tune with everything that surrounds us. This is certainly what happened to me this past weekend as I was in the process of visiting my sister and while waiting for her to pick me up from the train station.

After realizing I was the only left in the station, I decided to focus my attention to everything that I was neglecting to embrace. The dark night, lights on the street, shadows on the wall, shapes and angles. My first instinct was to look for my DSLR camera and I realized my intentions were not to be a photographer over the weekend as all I was looking for was to have downtime with the family.

No DSLR ? No problem! I started to clean the lens of my cellphone and simultaneously envisioned a nice solid surface to use against an object I can over and under expose what I had in mind. I placed by bag on the bench walked over to this light post and using manual mode settings on my Note 8 cellphone, I was able to get cool composition that would have never taken place if not me being outside by myself under this quiet and underrated location.

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“Don’t think for one second you need a full frame, and or Photoshop to achieve these results. You already have a camera on your cellphone, that is more then enough to compose or document a beautiful and interesting shot that does not need retouching.”

— johnguira

Settings

• F-stop f/1.7

• Exp 1/6sec to 1/20sec

• ISO 64

• White Balance - whatever you feel

• Focal Length 26mm

• Flash Mode No flash