Photo by myself from the beach in Ixtapa, Mexico.
No, not a photo from New York City, but from Mexico, where I'm vacation.
I hardly ever take time lapse pictures, since New York is very fast paced. By the time we got to the beach it was dark, but a long exposure shot made the scene visible.
I don't have much to say since my brain is fried. My boyfriend Mark and I arrived here in the late afternoon, after a long flight riddled with screaming children.
The one comment I manage to have, however, is about contrasts. There is a great deal of natural beauty in Mexico but a great deal of poverty as well. We flew over Mexico City, which is HUGE compared to New York. Tiny masonry buildings were crammed in together and the whole city was covered in a blanket of smog.
Then we took a short flight to Zihuatenejo, where we're staying. A drive from the airport led us through a small, squalid town. Delapidated, shack-like structures were everywhere. I soon figured out that there were few cars on the highway because many locals don
t own cars.
Both the beauty and desperate living situations make for startling photos. It's terrible, and I'm not sure how comfortable I am with photographing some of the conditions here.
At any rate, more tomorrow. It's been a long day!
Related posts: Subway Sunset, On the Ride Home, Sunrise, Sunset and More Notes from the Left Coast.
12 comments:
Wooooow!!! Have a lovely holiday and a good rest!
It looks like a beautiful and quiet place... you're so lucky!!!
Oh lucky you flying to the sunshine. Although I don't envy you the flight with screaming children - I can't bear that.
As for photographing the poverty stricken areas - I personally think it is fine. Those areas are there and you photographing them for your blog is just a way of raising awareness. Things seem more real and immediate if I feel they are photographed by someone I "know" rather than images i see on the TV or in magazines.
I think it is only inappropriate to photograph things when you should be helping eg in an accident or if you make a profit from images of other peoples suffering. I would feel honour bound in those circumstances to donate any profit to charity.
Have a wonderful holiday, Kitty. Glad you have an internet connection!!
Gorgeous night shot. HOpe you will be able to relax and enjoy this vacation away from the rat race and cold weather.
V
Have a lovely vacation Kitty. Temperatures are forecast to hit the low teens in NYC later today. Brrrr!! Enjoy the sun while you can ;-)
I imagine poverty would be a hard thing to photograph, though it is well worth documenting. But it is important to take a break from the realities of the world, otherwise I think we would lose our minds. I suggest you trust your instincts.
Lovely place!
I agree with reluctant blogger about photographing poverty. I understand that you hesitate.
Would love to see a copule of close-up portraits of the locals!
Hi Valeria
Thanks so much!
I only figured out in my head today that it's a longer distance for Europeans to travel to get to Mexico, but if you have the chance, I highly recommend it.
Hi RB
Thanks so much for your comment.
I usually feel the same way as you do about photography - that it's more of a documentary medium.
Photographing the homeless in NY feels somehow okay to me. Perhaps it's the whole thing of visiting another country that makes me feel as if I'm exploiting them, since it is a pleasure trip.
Thanks Virginia!
Hi Fish
ooh we're lucky to be here. Hope you're in from the cold!
Thanks Lily
I agree about taking a break from reality. There will be plenty of that when we get home.
Hi Fredrik
Walking on the beach today and seeing some overturned boats, I could not help but think of you.
You'd love it here. There is just so much going on.
superbe, tu passes du froid New Yorkais au chaleur du Mexique. belle photo de fin de soirée
I love the colors. The shapes remind me of giant life saver candies. Yummy! :D
Did you take the water taxis? HOw much is the flag down rate? LOL.
Hi El Cid,
lol. We didn't take the taxi, and I'm not sure many people did.
The majority of folks just enjoyed the beach. Tons of people from the community were there on the weekend, and not a lot of tourists overall. It was wonderful.
I think Ixtapa is a government-planned tourist resort that was begun in the early 1970s and constructed on what was once a coconut plantation and mangrove estuary.
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