Victor Garza: Blog

Taxco

Fri, 04 Jan 2019 18:18:06 GMT

It is a small but charming Magical Town nestled in an area surrounded by large hills and mountains, thanks to the intense exploitation of its silver deposits. Its people still live off the commerce and manufacture of objects that the precious metal allows; Baroque constructions erected during the mining boom of the Viceroyalty are still preserved.

Any terrace is good to contemplate those old jewels, the new ones and small ones you have to look for them among the cobbled streets that go up and down everywhere. In addition, Taxco possesses a peculiar beauty, because this magnificent Magical Town has the capacity to move us to another time and space, precisely to the time of the Viceroyal Mexico.

Its beautiful cobbled streets are characterized by their inclination, and almost all of them flow into beautiful squares where it is possible to walk, visit the kiosk or sit on one of its benches.

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Tlaxcala

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 15:28:13 GMT

This time we travel to the state of Tlaxcala. Just a short 2 hours from Mexico City you find the state of Tlaxcala known to be the smallest state in Mexico. The views are stunning as you travel to this state. Very notable is the active volcano of Popocatepetl which is visible almost the entire way to the state. We visited an the archaeological zone of Cacaxtla which provides you with endless information about the ancient history of the area. The capital city of Tlaxcala is colorful and rich in culture. There is a relaxing vibe as you walk around the centro historico.

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Catrinas

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 15:52:01 GMT

Dia de Muertos is a rich tradition in Mexico celebrated the first and second of November. No where can you fully experience this festivity than in the center of Mexico, particularly in the state of Michoacan. I traveled to Mexico and visited Mexico City, Morelia Michoacan, Patzcuaro Michoacan and Tzintzuntzan Michoacan. Locals and visitors flock to makeup artists for colorful face representations of the Catrina. Here are a few of my favorites.

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Mexican Street Dogs

Sun, 17 Jun 2018 23:48:45 GMT

In Mexico, you will not find leash laws for your pets. In fact, you might even think dogs don't have owners. Anyhow, as I travel Mexico I have ran into a few lovely creatures. I've put together a quick collection here.

Centro Ceremonial Otimi

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 05:18:21 GMT

This is quite an amazing place just a short drive from Mexico City in the state of Mexico. You have the opportunity to drive through peaceful forest scenes that leave you breathless. You pay a minimal fee for parking and admission to the location. The air is fresh and filled with serenity and calm. It's the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon away from a busy lifestyle.

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Metepec

Sat, 10 Feb 2018 20:50:32 GMT

Metepec is located just south of the city of Toluca in the state of Mexico just a short driving distance from Mexico City. Metepec is well known for its pottery items specifically the Arbol de la vida "Tree of Life" which are evident all over the city.

The city is very colorful and welcoming. You get a very relaxing feeling when you walk around its cobblestoned streets while you enjoy the art, people and smell the aroma of traditional Mexican food.

This is a view from the city plaza where you can see the town church in the background

One of many examples of Arbol de la vida around the city. This one es dedicated to Human Rights. DSCF8803

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Good food is plentiful by way of street vendors. Fresh Mango slices with a dab of Valentina is the perfect treat.

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The city if filled with great choices to eat. We picked restaurante Ay Dolores located Miguel Hidalgo No. 93 Barrio Del Espiritu Santo. Facebook Link In addition to the great food, the restaurant features amazing folk art which makes this place a "must see".

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CDMEX

Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:26:23 GMT

With its dense population and rich culture, Mexico City can be a street photographers dream. I recently visited Mexico City in early January of 2018. Mexico City, which was formerly known as Distrito Federal or "El DF" a fact that I just recently learned, is the most populated city in North America and is the capital city of Mexico. The temperature is always pleasant however at an altitude of over 7,000 feet, you can easily get winded just walking around the city. I'm featuring photos of the Zocalo and surrounding areas including some photos of the Mercados.

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Mexico City's Castillo De Chapultepec

Sun, 31 Dec 2017 21:22:25 GMT

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Burlington Vermont

Sun, 29 Oct 2017 18:07:00 GMT

Short trip to Burlington Vermont where I took the opportunity to get out one afternoon and capture a few images of the city, landscape and it's people.

Steampunk Riverboat

Sat, 14 Oct 2017 15:12:35 GMT

The Knoxville Steampunk Community gathered up for a fun-filled cruise along the Tennessee River. An amazing group of people with incredible creativity.

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Punk Rock Flea Market

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 18:47:09 GMT

The Punk Rock Flea Market is a yearly event in the Knoxville area where you can find items that are not at your typical Sunday Flea Market. This for a street photographer is like striking gold.

Santiago de Querétaro

Sat, 09 Sep 2017 14:27:43 GMT

Santiago de Querétaro is the capital city of the state of Querétaro Mexico. It is located 132 miles northwest of Mexico City in central Mexico. It is another one of those magical cities in Mexico that will drive any travel photographer to jump up and down with joy. There is a photographic opportunity in every corner of the city.

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Xilitla

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 11:24:39 GMT

The village of Xilitla is located in the state of San Luis Potosi about a 6-hour drive from Mexico City. The pueblo is on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Gorda which makes for a fun mountainous 2 lane highway ride. The place is magical, the landscapes are spectacular and the people amazingly friendly.

Hotel accommodations are extremely inexpensive. Less than $40 for a large double room. The area is known for Las Pozas de Edward James among other natural wonders like the Sotano de las Golondrinas and Cascada los Comales.

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Las Pozas de Edward James

Tue, 29 Aug 2017 03:36:22 GMT

Las Pozas is Spanish for “The Pools” and is one of the most interesting places I have been in Mexico. They sit at more than 2,000 feet above sea level in a subtropical rainforest in the mountains of Mexico near the village of Xilitla San Luis Potosi.

This is a fantasy garden with large surreal concrete structures built between 1949 and 1984 by the Edward James a British poet known for his collection of surrealist art. Here’s a link to an interesting Edward James documentary on YouTube.

The village of Xilitla is a seven-hour drive north of Mexico City. We traveled through the state of Queretaro and through the Sierra Gorda. Driving conditions were good however you have to have a big sense of adventure driving through a two lane road filled with a multitude of curves. The scenery, however, was spectacular.

For additional information visit FONDO XILITLA.

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San Miguel de Allende Mexico

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 15:05:35 GMT

I just finished another enjoyable trip to Mexico! This stop was the colonial city of San Miguel de Allende located 170 miles from Mexico City in the state of Guanajuato. The city is very well known as a popular retirement destination for Americans from the US. It is not uncommon to hear English spoken more than Spanish in popular hotels and restaurants.

The city is rich with culture and art with activities that attract tourist for a weekend or a full week. This is my second visit and only enjoyed a day trip to walk the streets and give you a glimpse of the everyday life in this colorful “Pueblo Magico” of San Miguel de Allende.

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2017 Solar Eclipse

Fri, 25 Aug 2017 18:04:39 GMT

We were fortunate to live in eastern Tennessee where just minutes south of Knoxville 100% total solar eclipse could be enjoyed on Monday August 21st. The plase was Sweetwater Tennessee just 45 miles south of Knoxville. People comming from many locations to experience 100% totality.

Pride Parade

Sun, 18 Jun 2017 12:24:52 GMT

A few snaps of Knoxville's 2017 Pride Parade held June 17, 2017

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Flamenco

Sun, 23 Apr 2017 01:55:55 GMT

It is difficult to find an art form with more passion, drama, and energy than that of Flamenco. The dancers, singers, and musicians connect as one to deliver a performance that takes you a different dimension of feelings. The audience is right there with the performers. I had the wonderful opportunity to experience and capture those magical moments in Atlanta's Gallery 992 featuring Vocals by Vicente Griego, Joaquín Encinias with the National Institute of Flamenco and Atlanta's Julie Moon.

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Sayulita Nayarit Mexico

Sat, 01 Apr 2017 23:02:31 GMT

It has been a little over one year since we traveled and I was looking forward to our visit to Sayulita Mexico. We could hardly contain the anticipation of a relaxing week away from the normal everyday life. I knew very little about Sayulita other than when I had just read on the internet a few weeks before the trip.

Sauylita is located about 25 miles from Puerto Vallarta Jalisco Mexico on the Pacific coast backed by the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains, and has a population of approximately 6,000 people. Sayulita is unspoiled by the tourist industry and is a surfing paradise.

We landed at the Puerto Vallarta International Airport and took an easy $40 cab ride to Sallulita. Public transportation and taxi services at a fraction of the cost are available just by leaving the airport grounds. Public transportation is just a short walk to the public streets.

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Nashville

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 18:35:46 GMT

Nashville Tennessee is a very popular tourist destination. It is considered the Country Music Capital of the world and also is the capital of the State of Tennessee. Broadway Street is the mile long strip of bars and music where visitors can listen to the best country music artist around. It is also a great place for street photography.

NO DAPL Knoxville

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 23:51:35 GMT

Opposition demonstrations agains the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) are sprouting in many locations in this country. Knoxville Tennessee citizens are showing solidarity with Native Americans to stop this project. Knoxville residents organized a rally through a Facebook page.

Cumberland Falls

Mon, 05 Sep 2016 21:31:26 GMT

Cumberland Falls or as sometimes called the "Little Niagara" and "Niagara of the South" is located on the Cumberland River in southeastern Kentucky. It's just a short one and a half hour drive from my hometown of Knoxville. What best to do on an extended Labor Day holiday weekend than enjoy nature and how people enjoy our natural beauty.

East Tennessee Fashion Modeling

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 17:47:38 GMT

It has been a long time since I venture into portraiture and fashion modeling photography. For the most part, I have been photographing the streets and the people around them. In street photography you run into an opportunity or two to do a candid portrait or ask an interesting person for a posed portrait. Street photography requires the photographer to be quick to recognize an image, scene or situation. Often times, it’s recognizing interesting locations then wait for people to fill in the gaps then quickly snap away.

Portrait photography requires completely different, or opposite, skills for photographers. First and foremost, the photographer’s rapport with the model is critical and probably most important. Portrait photography gives a photographer the opportunity to create an interesting image rather than recognize when to click the shutter.

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Cummins Falls State Park

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 10:25:45 GMT

The fourth of July weekend is here and time to beat the summer heat is calling. Just about one hour and a half from Knoxville is Cummins Falls State Park. Located just north of the city of Cookeville TN, Cummins Falls features just about the best water falls/swimming hole combo in the country. It was a busy time, plenty of people and plenty of photo opportunities.

Pridefest Knoxville

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:14:51 GMT

In light of the brutal terrorist acts that happened at PULSE in Orlando, Knoxville celebrated their PRIDEFEST without a glitch. The weather was perfect, the colors were bright and the people were enjoying the moments.

Virginia Beach

Sun, 19 Jun 2016 21:29:09 GMT

A business trip took me to Virginia this week. Meetings ended early and I headed to Virginia Beach to shoot the streets. The 3 mile board walk that stretches alongside beach-lines oceanfront provided plenty of unique street scenes.

Rossini Festival 2016

Sun, 24 Apr 2016 18:25:26 GMT

Spring marks the start of Knoxville's array of street festivals and celebrations. For the fifteenth time, the Knoxville Opera sponsors the Rossini Festival with celebrates the city's rich arts culture and an amazing opportunity to indulge in savory foods from all over the world.

St. Patrick's Day In Tennessee

Sat, 19 Mar 2016 21:10:03 GMT

It is the start of our street festival season in East Tennessee. On March 17th, downtown Knoxville turned green. The weather was perfect and enjoyed by many. Music, food and of course beer was the ticket for the day.

Back In Time Part 3

Sun, 10 Jan 2016 22:12:51 GMT

It is that time again when I look back through my photography catalog and pick those photos that got away. Finding hidden gems from past photo shoots is always fun. Here's my batch of discoveries.

Music City

Sat, 02 Jan 2016 22:50:27 GMT

Nashville is the capital of the state of Tennessee and also known as "Music City" for being the home of Country Music. There are legendary country music venues including the Grand Ole Opry House. Every year hundreds of visitors stop to visit the honky-tonks and dive bars that line Broadway Avenue.

Asheville North Carolina

Tue, 29 Dec 2015 01:58:13 GMT

Asheville is the largest city in the western part of North Carolina with a population of about 83,000. The city is well known for it's culture, it's architecture and it's people. I headed west this unseasonably warm winter day as it is only a short 2 hour drive from Knoxville. The perfect day to make a few street photos.

Christmas

Sat, 05 Dec 2015 17:00:06 GMT

December is here and celebrations and parades are everywhere. Knoxville celebrates art, music, dance and culture at the start of every month. This December, First Friday included a Christmas Parade. Magic was everywhere. Art, Music and People!

Halloween Portraits

Sun, 01 Nov 2015 16:01:33 GMT

Halloween is that time when fun folks want to show off their creativity. What better time to make street portraits!

Shadow Cast

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 17:59:47 GMT

Having grown up in the 70's and 80's, exposure to the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a 100% certainty just about every single year. In those years it was the form of the midnight showing around the Halloween season. It is not until fairly recently that I learned “shadow casts” were done. This is where costumed actors lip sync the entire move while it’s playing. What a fun idea, and what a great opportunity to photograph a shadow cast.

Thanks to The Satanic Mechanics for great show.

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Photo Equipment and Technique: Fujifilm X-T1 camera body using lens XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS. Edited in Lighroom 6.2.