Easter Weekend

       Bee and I always try to spend the holidays in rural Hondo, New Mexico, where my mom grew up. I'm not one for social situations, like family get-togethers, but I do really enjoy getting away from El Paso city life from time-to-time. Although it was a little on the windy side, the sun felt warm and comforting on my skin, and walks in the vicinity of my mom's house were nice.

     Of course, I took seven (I know, it's ridiculous) cameras. (Ha!) I didn't use them all, but how diffiuclt is it to decide on just one, or even two, or even three? You just never know if you'll want to photograph something with a particular camera, and particular film.  It's never fun actually lugging more than 2 cameras around, though, I have to admit. SO tough on the body! Here are the best shots I took with my SX-70 over the weekend.

This is about a 5-minute walk from my mom's house.  You have to cross the highway.  I've never been inside.  

     I always want to spend more time exploring the newer places and things in Hondo, but seem to disconnect with anything that didn't exist during my childhood and adolescence.  Visiting my New Mexico family has always been a great escape from the city.  When I venture out to take pictures there nowadays, I tend to want to stick to the scenes that are nostalgic for me.  Although on the surface much has changed, my sentiment helps me see what once was.

This was an unlikely shot.  I was wandering around my auntie's house, looking for an interesting picture yesterday during our Easter cookout.  I was antsy.  Conversations were dwindling, and I have a hard time forcing social graces.  I am always cordial, but you know.  This is the corner of the property, looking towards the neighbor's.  

    
     The still lives contained within anyone's living space hold great potential for interesting pictures.  The end resulting photo of a still life can seem contrived, which is the total opposite of what seems to work best within Polaroid as a medium, but I've seen plenty of beautiful Polaroid still lives.  I like to imagine the moment that someone created an arrangement of objects in a specific space.  What was their reasoning?  Do they have design experience?  Was it purely instinctive?  Sentimental?  I think too much.  I've decided this side of my mentality is more of hindrance than an asset.  Can't I just learn to accept things without question?  

These two baby longhorns belong to my uncles.  They are just about a year old.  They got really close to me right after I took this shot, but I didn't have the chance to re-situate the homemade shade for my SX-70.  I did get some (hopefully good) close-ups with my Pentax K-1000 and Kodak Portra film.  I'm really looking forward to seeing those shots.

     The lighter-colored calf on the left seemed to be more trusting than the other, but also more timid. The darker-colored calf was more assertive.  He got the closest to me-came within a foot of my face with his baby longhorn.  I was a somewhat nervous about that, but he didn't do me any harm.  I think you can really tell their personalities by simply looking at their faces.

     Animals are spectacular in that way-they don't have obvious smiles or frowns like us humans, but somehow we are able to sense their emotions when we connect to their gaze. I knew I wanted to photograph these two friends. They are yin and yang, like everything in life.

     I found myself thinking about yin and yang alot this past weekend. I suppose my reborn faith in God and my willingness to keep and open mind regarding spirituality has given me the opportunity to see the world in a different way. It's definitely the simple things in life that motivate me the most, both personally, and creatively.  My tendency to over-analyze things can be exhausting.  Moments of clarity and simplicity happen sporadically, so when they come I really appreciate them.