carlos maldonado r.

Carlos Maldonado-R.

Sandra Phipps

Photo 115  B/W

28 May, 2012

Tears of an Undocumented Life

            In this series my approach was capturing a whole communities’ lifestyle. I chose to photograph this community because it’s the closest area around me that was closely related to where I grew up. In addition, the lifestyle of this people is similar to what I recall growing up on. In effect, I was able to photograph and listen to the stories of each person in the photograph. Undocumented or not, the lifestyle is similar to mine due to the hardships these people have to struggle through and continue to live through until one day the children can defend them from their struggles. Thus I’ve used the children who represent the hope of the older generation.

Through the use of black and white photography the subject matter is more understood with out the distraction of colors in the scene. In addition, the time of day chosen for this series was midday after three since that’s a common active time around the area I chose to photograph. The square format of the photographs allows me to center the focus on the subject rather than the surroundings. The images were printed on fiber-based paper. I used water drops to create the effect of  “tears” on the print but manipulated the droplet to make sure not to distract from the faces and the image it self. Finally, I used selenium toning to increase the contrast of the image giving it a more contemporary look contributing to the story line implying a current reality.

In each picture, I captured a deeper story behind the subject matter. I photographed the general lifestyle of this community, like the people seen getting their hair cut and the man in the grocery store evidence of cultural immigration in stores. In addition the series includes the scenes of innocent children enjoying their time unaware of their surroundings, while mid thirty adults drink away their failures, looking hopefully at the children’s; as seen on the preceding images of the photograph with the boys and the soccer ball. Essentially, the series was shot at different areas of neighborhoods but I placed the order of the images strategically to tell a chronological story.

After this photography session, my perspective returned to when I first came to Atlanta. Initially, I had a clear focus of where I came from  – a rough neighborhood; but after living in such a great community with affluence I got accustomed to the lifestyle I was drifting away from my reality. Getting back here brought me back and reminded me that this is why I’m here; to move my family forward and out of the struggles we currently face.

 

 

On September 9th I took the trip to a destination I never thought I’d be in.

Sept.9 2011 first night. first glance. first sit down restaurant. first day. first picture of the firsts.

 

Four years ago, I came to this city for my 8th grade field trip. Little did I know that this city would soon become my new home. Currently I’ve grown in experience and knowledge that looking back to when I first came I can’t believe It’s already been almost  a full school year.

Getting here was a new experience in regards to not living with my parents. It’s odd to think I’m not home, it’s crazy to think that I’m the first that has left their parent’s side to go to school, usually it’s marriage that gets you out of the house.

I’d like to get more in detail of the following bullet points when I have time but for now this is what happened my first quarter at SCAD.

- I met Andrea Maria van Hitum {Fashion Design Major} – I met her and approached her thinking of how beautiful she was. We ended up being best friends here at SCAD getting excited about the small things in life. She is described as the girl version of me. Eccentric, doesn’t let anything hold her back, and her charisma is sure to charm any one who approaches her.

- I met Jessa Vogel {Interior Design Major} – from the same area  – Asheville. Our schools competed against each other but little did we know that when we competed against each other, we would become really good friends at SCAD. Currently this whole spring quarter ’12 I’ve been around her so much running, sleeping over, and getting reprimanded over my obsessive eating. Besides that, she’s always laughing and making me laugh, it’s odd the things we discuss but it turns around to being something interesting. I enjoy being around her …  she’s the wise smart one of JAC penny pincher. A much needed influence in  my life.

- I was introduced to the city life – MARTA quick attribution to the subway. It was a thrill ride I wanted to take when I first got here.  What I thought was downtown actually was Mid Town and then there was Down Town – completely  different and also Up Town. So basically, office and tourist areas are generally in the south of Atlanta with views generally seen on postcards. Where I live is a very affluent area – something I’m not accustomed to and stand out on but feel like it’s a motivational living area and this area is generally called Midtown, the Woodruff arts center is here, along with club strips, fancy restaurants, and my most desired living building that holds room for up to one million dollars. I keep telling my self that one day that one bedroom apartment in Midtown Atlanta will be mine. And there’s uptown IE Buckhead or LENOX. Where the celebrities live and spend their money. With a four story mall! – Nothing compared to the one story mall in Asheville that you can walk in twenty minutes completely through every store and come out smelling like you were just enclosed in a small damp room. Lenox, smells brand new every day with people wearing unimaginably expensive clothes, glasses, watches, shoes, hair extensions, nails, bags, scarfs, and children. Yes, their children look expensive in all their Gucci and Polo attire. I can’t imagine having $250,000 running around  the mall like a monkey – it’s truly unbelievable how much money this city has. I never knew there could be so much wealth. I questioned, how much wealthier can one get? Anyways, it’s not my intention to have $250,000 running around a mall, I just want a house I can live in comfortably and a house for my mom too.

 

- I was introduced to lack of sleep. Even though I had a few amount of classes, time management was lacking, but regardless it was an adventure and skill I’ve learned to adapt to. After this third quarter Spring ’12, I learned that lack of sleep is useless and I can’t function with out sleep. I deprived my self form sleep my first quarter due to the excitement of a new life, no restrictions, and more freedom. I splurged like I had income, and bought supplies like I had job. It turns out, I am now sleeping  more than I ever did before, spending even less on my fun adventures and more on food and supplies, and now have my own budgeting calculator I have to live by in order to ensure I have money for the following quarter where all my savings go towards supplies. It’s insane how much money can go on just one box of pastels.

Art School is Expensive. And Exhausting.

But then again, the expereince and learning I’ve aquired is truly undescribalble. I feel like I’ve learned and done so much in one year and there’s three more ahead of me! Oh wow.

I just remembered, my mom’s quote. “Before you know it we will be standing here preparing for your university graduation” ( I still remember standing in the kitchen talking about that with my mom, the night before I left with Erin to come to Atlanta)

- Exploration of the City – getting here I was too excited by the new change that every night there was something to do or explore. The Westin, The Fox thater on 11/11/11, and random hotels.

- Introduced to liberty from parents – soon after the first Fall ’11 quarter ended I couldn’t believe I actually wanted to hear my parents say no because there were moments I would’ve been told to not do what I did. Although, due to the freedom of choice I now had, I was introduced to “growing up” – it was a scary phase because my success was now dependent on me. Thankfully, it helped me learn how to defend my priorities, spend wisely, and sleep.

- My first dorm – shared bedroom with a stranger. Who now is a really good and close friend.