Day 60 - Camera Shy

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  18-50mm

Focal Length: 24mm

Aperture: f/4.5

Shutter Speed: 1/15 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 3200

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

=) some people just don't like coming out in pictures... that doesn't that still don't take good pictures.

Day 59 - Endiara

this is my friend Endiara, first off i love her name because it is one of a kind. I do not know any other Endiara anywhere. Secondly, this girl is beautifl beyond words but she doesn't know it, which makes her that much more beautiful. Do you concur?

Day 58 - O da Bolinha

Ok so I know this is a completely stupid reason to smoke... but I love to pop the little ball that is in the butt. =) and it taste great after that. Oh and when I go buy them I cannot ask for a pack of lucky strike, no, I have to make sure to pronounce it Loo-key Str-eye-key. It was annoying at first because it is in English and I wanted to say it in English.

Day 57 - Waterfall

Yesterday me and som friends went to a trail to go to some waterfalls. I had been wanting to go for some time noe to take a picture like this, slow shutter speed. Any who, we had a great time but i did not put on any sun block so needless to say i am now super red and hurting. but it was worth it!

Day 56 - Gaze

This is my friend Marina, we were at Marcelo's b-day party and we were already drunk. I sneaked up and Marina and snapped this pic of her... that fixed look, that longing stare makes you really wonder what she was looking at, doesn't it?

Day 55 - Michelle

My first official model on our first photoshoot. This gorgeous girl is Michelle. 

Day 54 - Pedrinho

The Quinta Lei Rock Star has returned! Pedrinho, love this guy!

Day 53 - Paz

you cannot merely have peace, you must maintain it. Even if you had peace at one time if not maintained it begins to crumble and dilapidate. 


não basta só ter paz, você precisa mantê-la. Mesmo que você tenha tido paz uma vez, se não a manter começa a desintegrar-se e dilapidar.

Day 52- Feathers

(click for larger image)

Imagine the birds the go cold and naked for Carnaval to be as colorful as it is. =)

Day 51 - Encontro de Carnaval

two random strangers sharing a random passionate kiss... que lindo é o Carnaval. 

Day 50 - A fresh Brazilian Morning

on our way back from Prados, early in the morning, we stopped right quick because... well we drank a lot and our bladders were full. I know this may not be funny to you but this was the prettiest landscape I ever did see whilst urinating. =)

Day 49 - Fireworks aren't for Everyone

halfway through the bloco they set off fireworks. I saw this adorable pug and its owner was covering its ear because of the tumultuous fireworks.

Day 48 - Copo Sujo

These are my friends Mel and Gustavo. This picture was taken in front of  a Igreja São Francisco. It was right after the bloco copo sujo.  They and I were already a little tipsy when this pic was taken.

Day 47 - As Domésticas

the bloco yesterday was the bloco das domésticas, men dress as women and vice versa. I did not dress like a woman but these are my friends and they did, as you can see from the picture, they are jaw-dropping, show-stopping, gorgeous! 

Day 46 - Charming Little Devil

This charming young sexy thing is my friend Jordana, yesterday was o bloco de fantasia. everyone was dressed up as if it were Halloween. I had so much fun and got so drunk. Carnaval has not even started yet and I am already having a blast!

Day 45 - Bloco

text not available due to memory loss

Day 44 - Tightrope Walkers

(click the photo to see it larger)

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  55-200mm f/4,0-5,6

Focal Length: 200mm

Aperture: f/5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/40

ISO Sensitivity: 400

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

I don’t have much to say about today, I slept until 2pm. I guess I was way more tired than I had imagined. I spent the rest of the evening unpacking; yes I have taken this long to unpack. I was at the window dreading the approaching rain clouds… I really do not want to get wet, again. As I was smoking I saw these itty bitty tight rope walkers and thought that would be a great picture for the day. Tonight I will go to another bloco and continue the fortnight of continuous drinking! =)

Day 43 - Suicidal Raindrop

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  55-200mm f/4.0-5.6

Focal Length: 200mm

Aperture: f/5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/3200

ISO Sensitivity: 12800

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Today was day two of pre-carnaval, I head down to André’s house to pick up my camera since I left it with him so as not to lose or damage it whilst in Casteritas, good thing I did too because it would have been soaked along with everything else that I had on me. I stopped by and chatted a bit with him and Carol and then head to the bloco which was happing in Bomfim. Oh how the sky looked terrible, you could see the storm clouds approaching ever so quickly. Against my better judgment I continued  treading forward, halfway up the it started to rain at a steady pace, I began to power walk, and it seemed that the faster I walked the harder the rain came down… I ran - all hell broke loose it rained really hard I didn’t even care about my clothes or shoes I was mostly worried about my camera. I found a plastic bag on the floor and put my camera bag in it to avoid the rain getting in.  So there I was, strolling in the rain, walking home. I gave up on the bloco today, but as the say here amanhã promete, (tomorrow promises) , the equivalent of our “tomorrow is a new day.”

Day 42 - Birthday Boy

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal Length: 36mm

Aperture: f/5.0

Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec

ISO Sensitivity:400

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

ok sorry for the delay but today was a very fast day and I was not home much. It was, my friend, Rodrigo’s birthday and the first day of pre-carnaval… so the drinking started early. So other friends and I went to his house to eat some churrasco and start the inebriation process. After there we went to the centro for the bloco, my first one, it was packed and hard to get around –but I was no longer sober so I did not care. We stayed there until about 8:30 and then took off. We headed towards Casterritas, which is not really the city’s name – apparently it’s a nickname, there we partied all night like a two in the morning it started raining – and guess who got soaked? Yep me, with so many people there I had nowhere to take refuge so I just got some pinga shots and beers and continued in the rain. Anyway, the next day I woke up naked and hungover… hahaha. It really isn’t as bad as it sounds.  I was not going to sleep in wet clothes and well the hang over is from like 12 hours of continuous drinking.

In the picture I tried to capture Rodrigo taking a very satisfying gulp of beer on a very hot day.

Day 41 - Broken

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal Length: 55mm

Aperture: f/7.1

Shutter Speed: 1/1600 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 400

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

  

Some of us get burned, others get bruised, some are emotionally damaged, and others are broken beyond repair. The worst thing is seeing someone that is self-sabotaging but refuses to get help. They do not believe that they can get over it, or rather do not want to get over it. Do not let your past keep you from having a future. Every single one of us has been hurt one way or another, but we continue living, continue forward because that is life. Life is a conglomerate of pain, pleasure, agony, ecstasy, love, hate, and every other shade of emotions within the spectrum of the human psyche. Another way to look at this negative situation in a positive light is to realize that by tasting something bitter the sweet gets even sweeter. I look at this broken bottle and feel sorry for those who condemn themselves to never being happy again because they tell themselves that it is broken into so many little pieces that it cannot be put back together. It may never be whole again but at least pick up the pieces, get some glue, and find someone who is willing to help you piece it back and keep you company while you do it. 

Day 40 - Waiting & Watching

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal Length: 48mm

Aperture: f/5.6

Shutter Speed: 1/2 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 200

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

I was at the praça de São Francisco just playing my harmonica, smoking a cigarette and just watching as people passed me by, without as much as a second glance. I asked myself, what was it that they were thinking? Where were they going? Had they been productive today or had they wasted it away? Did they laugh, cry, or even feel anything at all today? I always found it interesting that, as part of the human condition, we are consumed by our problems. As big or as small as they may be we let them suffocate us. Some people do not understand my tattoo, Cedo Nulli; they think it is some cocky, arrogant, prick move when I tell them it means I yield to no one. To me it means so much more, it is empowering. I refuse to become a victim of circumstance, the past cannot be changed, and I will not let it control my future, I will not stop because someone tells me I cannot do it, or because there is something in the way. I once read that every interaction is an equation S+R=O (Situation + Reaction = Outcome), and if you do not like the outcome of any given one then the power is yours to change it. You cannot change a situation but you can change your reaction.  And by changing your reaction you change the overall outcome. I know I may be boring you with this rant of internal locus of control but, grrrr, it just irks me when people find ways to blame everyone else rather than taking the reins and changing their course. Today’s picture is not really aesthetically pleasing but for me it is pensive, all these thought were running through my head at that precise moment.

Day 39 - Thinking back of that Prickly Plant

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture:  f/5

Shutter Speed: 1/25

ISO Sensitivity: 1600

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

I really get home sick when I see something that reminds me of the little things that are no longer surrounding me. I don’t see nopales or tumble weeds around here; this little cactus is the closest thing to see home greenery. Not that I am complaining, i am merely pointing out my nostalgia. But is it not that bad of a trade, walking down the street and being able to reach up and pull a mango off a tree, or an avocado, or even a star fruit.  I do miss all you northerners, too. =) Today’s picture is the Brazilian cousin of the cacti we have back home. 

Day 38 - Vinyl

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: f/2.0

Shutter Speed: 1/60 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 1600

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

I really have to get into the habit of going to sleep early. I have been sleeping late and waking up even later. Today I was at home and cooked dinner (breakfast for us) for Jessica and me. It was great; I made some boiled potato squares with a very tasty garlic sauce, some lentils, and a beet salad with lemon and salt. I am really anxious because pre-Carnaval starts this weekend… I do believe my liver is going to hate me after this. =) Any who, about the picture, I did not venture out too far today nor did I have the desire to go hunting for an image, so I took one at home. There is a wall with three vinyl records on it that was so classic, it was just shouting to be photographed. 

Day 37 - Something Yellow

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture:  f/1.8

Shutter Speed: 1/2000 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 100

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil 

So I have been procrastinating going home, because it is about a mile and a half away, but today have to go home. I have not gone home I like almost 3 days. I have to go do some chores and just be by myself, as much fun as it is to socialize it is equally necessary to be alone. On my way home today I was passing by the bus station and saw this massive tree with a beautiful contrast of yellow and green. I love the greenery around here, the fruits as well today I had a huge mango, it was so delicious but I felt like a little kid eating it because I got all messy, but seriously, who does not get messy eating mangos.

Day 36 - Smile

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture:  f/2

Shutter Speed: 1/40 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 1600

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Guacamole night was great we stayed up drink and conversing all night, I went to bed about 6am, then did not wake up until like 2pm. Today I spent the remainder of my day with Jéssica, we had a great time, we went to the movies, went out for some açai and then for some drinks. We watched Journey 2 it was a good movie and funny but it was in dubbed in Portuguese so seeing the actors with different voices in itself was a hoot. But there were times I felt left out because everyone in the theater was laughing except me, I hate when humor gets lost in translation. And to make matters worse, I was too proud to ask her what was so funny, so after that I just pretended to laugh. I took this picture of her as when we were out for drinks. Oh! And not only is the girl charming and beautiful, she has a heavenly voice… I will try to get her singing and share. =)

Day 35 - Guacamole

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: f/4.5

Shutter Speed: 1/10 sec

ISO Sensitivity: ISO 3200

SW:

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

You know those movie scenes when someone wakes up next to a beautiful complete stranger? Well, that was me today; I awoke to this breathtakingly beautiful girl next to me. However I also awoke with a massive hangover as a result of mixing beer, cheap wine, and vodka. However, the awesomeness was short lived for the walk home was long and bright… and I did not have my sunglasses. Any who, I got home showered and fell dead asleep. Later that day a bunch of my friends wanted to get together to make some guacamole and tortillas – so the adventure began. At around 10pm we got started. We got six massive avocados and all the other necessary ingredients and got to work. It was so nice to have some homeland delicacies the night was a success. Made some new friends, met up with old friends and we all ate to our hearts content. This picture was us in mid process of completing the guacamole. 

Day 34 - Aging Humbly

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50

Aperture: f/2.5

Shutter Speed: 1/4000 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 100

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Last night was fun; I really did not get too wasted. It was missing something, rather, someone. Pedrinho is usually the life of the party and the vocalist, too. I cannot wait until he is back in town. Why is it that when you think you are going to sleep like 12 hours straight you only sleep like 3? I got home like 3:30am and knocked out about 4am, and guess what time I woke up? Yep you guessed it, like 7-ish. I tried to go back to sleep but could not for the life of me! Yesterday, Íris, posted a picture that inspired me to take one of my own, she took a picture of a single window. Today I walked around town with Bruno and as we were walking I was searching, such that I felt like I was on the hunt. I guess in a sense I was. I was looking for a door, not just any door, but a door with a story, a door that had years of opening and closing. After a while I found it, it was perfect; it was a door that was broken and then mended, a door with peeling paint and moldy wood, a door without a door knob, a door with personality. Where does this door lead? Is the appearance of a door really indicative of what lies behind it? Would you think twice about opening this door? Not everything ages gracefully but at least this door seems to be aging humbly.

Day 33 - Ego

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: 2.5

Shutter Speed: 1/125 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 6400

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Today is Thursday and we are restarting a tradition called Quinta Lei, it is where we all meet up at the praça at night and socialize. It is so much fun though; we all take alcoholic beverages –from cheap wine, vodka, beer, cachaça, rum… the perfect mixture for a next day hangover. We take musical instruments and play in the praça until the wee hours of the morn. And THAT is why I decided to post today’s picture early, because I will not be around a computer after now and because I will more than likely be too drunk to remember anything. I chose to post a picture of me because I had yet to post a picture of myself. The life of a photographer is a sad one, in an effort to capture the moments and the wonders we do we consequently miss out on being in the pictures ourselves. I named today’s picture Ego not because of my ego but because, as some of you already know, I love Latin, and “ego” is Latin for “I.”  I give you Ego, your photographer and pseudo-artist – I do strive one day to truly turn my hobby into an art form.

Day 32 - Mmm Delícia

Device: Nikon D3100

Lens:  50mm f/1.8

Focal Length: 50mm

Aperture: f/5.0

Shutter Speed: 1/8 sec

ISO Sensitivity: 800

SW: LR3

Location: São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brasil

So today I woke up at my new place and I woke up early… nine-ish. I wanted to go out and about but I was stuck at home because of the rain… and it was really coming down. I finally got out of the house around two thirty – three. I went to Pedro’s to pick up my camera since I ended up leaving it there rather that walking home late last night with it. I got to his house and there at his house there are a few guys that I met in Passos two years ago when I was here the first time. There was Lucas, Allan, and Bruno. We ended up going to eat some açai – yes it is as good as it looks, even better. After, we went to a bar and drank like 30 liters of beer among five of us. I had a blast today; I am actually still kind of drunk right now. So if there are any errors please forgive due to my current state of mind. Love you all! And just to finish the phrase I started the pic with Mmm delícia, assim você me mata! 


P.S.


There is a companion photo in th FB blog- RunnerUps.