Batay Lecheria
I could feel it as we pulled into this little part of town. They call them Batays and as I understand it, they are little, poor, self-contained, villages that dot the landscape of the Dominican Republic. As far I could tell it was just a poor part of town. Wood shacks, little commerce, kids everywhere.
Immediately my photo sensibilities were in overdrive. For the first time in days of working I was filled with that overwhelming sense that there are good pictures everywhere in this town. Not only that but the entire population didn't give a crap about me or my cameras. The children, of course, were playful as ever, but the whole vibe was welcoming. The light was falling between big trees or bouncing off wonderfully painted but worn wooden buildings. A little girl, thin and sick wanted her photo taken. And for a moment she stood still as I clicked my camera.
Make pictures.
Immediately my photo sensibilities were in overdrive. For the first time in days of working I was filled with that overwhelming sense that there are good pictures everywhere in this town. Not only that but the entire population didn't give a crap about me or my cameras. The children, of course, were playful as ever, but the whole vibe was welcoming. The light was falling between big trees or bouncing off wonderfully painted but worn wooden buildings. A little girl, thin and sick wanted her photo taken. And for a moment she stood still as I clicked my camera.
Make pictures.
4 comments:
The light is lovely. The eyes of the people in your images always draw me in. Thank you for sharing.
were you in la victoria, by chance? i really liked it out there! and yeah, good photos to be had, for sure.
clayton, i was just on the outskirts of Santo Domingo. Tomorrow we go a little further afield but still not that far. Next time maybe.
Yeah, you know I think La Victoria is technically a part of Santo Domingo, it's just what they call the area, perhaps.. and yeah it is the northern outskirts of Santo Domingo. We got there via publicos (buses) and then a taxi.
The colors on the building behind the girl struck me as being just like where I went... you can see some of my photos here if you're curious, to see if you recognize anything!
http://claytonhauck.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/dominican-republic-pt-15-of-2/
http://claytonhauck.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/dominican-republic-pt-2-of-2/
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