© Stephen Wilkes

"I was alone in a world that I didn't know or understand ... fear and freedom at that moment were the same"

Stephen Wilkes's images of Ellis Island capture the beauty and the hope of what it was the main entry point for immigrants coming to the USA during between 1892 and 1954. During this 62 years about 12 million people passed through it. As part of Ellis Island there was a hospital, where individuals who arrived with health problems were kept in observation to avoid the possible spread of disease among the general population. During this time they were so separated from their families and from reaching their dream to enter the "land of hope". About 1% of the people who arrived were not allowed to enter the country.

Over a period of five years Stephen Wilkes, photographed the hospital complex, recording the remaining of the place with a beauty of light and color than was never associated with the history of Ellis Island, and so it provides a unique record of what it was a place for both hope and a place for angst for the few that were not admitted into the USA. You can see the full collection of images at the Monroe Gallery Website.

The website, Ellis Island Ghosts, is an exquisite example for website design to display photography. Don't miss to read the text of the Introduction and the Author's Note. This work was published in a book.

If you are as impressed about the work of Stephen Wilkes as I am, you may consider the possibility to attend an workshop that will be lead by the photographer at the upcoming Palm Springs Photo Festival (workshop here).

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Posted in Books, Photographers, Photography, Workshops No Comments »

Photo LA [Santa Monica, Los Angeles, California, USA] runs from January 11th [Friday] to January 13th [Sunday].

I will be attending the fair, probably only Saturday 12th. If you will be attending and would like to meet, please let me know by e-mail.

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Reading the forums over at Lightstaker, I found information about a very interesting workshop in photojournalism that I thought some of you may find interested. If you have a passion for photojournalism this could be a great and unique opportunity. The cost is kept low as the instructors are offering their services probono.

A tution of $500 USD gets you: access to workshop opening night social, all workshops, instructor presentations, panel discussions, portfolio review sessions, projections, closing night party and slideshow, invitation to a "working dinner" of your choice. Travel to and return from Mexico City and lodging are not included in the tuition fee.

The list of instructors is really outstanding: Lynsey Addario, Kael Alford, Jon Anderson, Samantha Appleton, Paula Bronstein, Andrea Bruce, Michael Robinson Chavez, Tewfic El-Sawy, Stanley Greene, Jason P. Howe, Hugo Infante, Scott Mc Kiernan, Brian Storm, Kadir Van Lohuizen, Ami Vitale, Holly Wilmeth, Adriana Zehbrauskas.

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The genesis for this idea came from a conversation held some time ago on the Lightstalkers website, an online gathering place for photojournalists and travelers. There were- and are- a host of wonderful workshops out there; however, after looking around for some time, we came to the conclusion that there were a) few for people from developing nations and b) few that a photojournalism student from Europe or the US (officially a student or informally, we don't care) could realistically afford. We also felt that, while attending a workshop for $4000 with one or two great photographers was wonderful, it could be more beneficial to create a workshop where many more instructors came, creating an impromptu community of sorts. A workshop where getting into the field, producing real reportage, getting honest, real feedback, and making new friends and developing contacts were first and foremost. - [Foundry Photojournalism Workshop, About]

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Posted in Humanitarian Causes, Photography, Workshops No Comments »