Stella Kramer

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Tag, janette beckman

2013 in Photography: Now for the Good

Posted on December 31st, 2013

It’s the end of the year and rather than ANOTHER “Best Of” list, I thought I would just list all good about photography in 2013 , and maybe also just some things I liked (in no particular order). Here we go:

All my clients and true friends, you’ve taught me and sustained me through another year.

Portrait Photography From Venezuela

Posted on August 1st, 2013

Carmen Graterol 2

Earlier this year, Janette Beckman and I went to Caracas, Venezuela to teach at the Roberto Mata School of Photography. We had a spectacular time, and were so impressed with the school and our students. So I thought I would take this opportunity to show some of their work here on Stellazine. All of our students are hobby photographers—although that in no way diminishes their talent. Their enthusiasm, talent and energy made working with them one of the best experiences…

Caracas Day 4: People Are People

Posted on March 15th, 2013

Los Dos Caminos4 Stella Kramer

Today we finally met our students and looked at their personal work to get a sense of their abilities as photographers. I have to say I haven’t seen such a group of talented photographers in ages.  Every one of them had fascinating work. The work ranged from portraiture to documentary to landscape to autobiography to travel to reportage. It was so amazing to see such strong work and meet such motivated students. Janette and I were excited to begin our…

Caracas Day 3: We Go To Petare And Find Tuki

Posted on March 11th, 2013

Tuki music is electronic music that grew out of the barrios of South America. In the same way that “punk” was a slur, so is “tuki.” The dancer we saw on YouTube, Elberth “El Maestro”, seems to be a pretty well-known dancer. Tall and skinny, with rainbow kicks, his body is like a rubberband-malleable and bendable in extraordinary ways. We watched in awe as he and the other dancers in the crew showed their stuff. All around the yard were stenciled images of Chavez: as a b-boy, dunking a basketball, ever present and being whatever people wanted him to be.

Caracas Day 2: Radio, Radio!

Posted on March 7th, 2013

Archive of Attitude

Driving around Caracas the one thing you see plenty of is color. From the red of Chavez supporters to the multi-colored graffiti, to the red, yellow and blue of the Venezuelan flag, you are swept up in the vibrancy of the city. The sky is clear blue, and looming on one side, the green mountain. On other sides, the rust colored barrio houses layer the hills to the far east. Greenery dips from all the balconies, and it makes the city seem so alive.

Hugo Chavez is Dead: Journeys in Caracas

Posted on March 6th, 2013

Hugo Chavez graffiti Janette Beckman

I returned from Caracas on Monday, and yesterday’s announcement of the death of Hugo Chavez was not unexpected. Just before we left last week, there was a close-up photo released of a smiling, rosy-cheeked Chavez and his daughters. It was the first public photo and mention of Chavez in more than two months. And since the last photo I remember seeing of him had him bloated and hairless from chemo, I wondered when the photo had actually been taken.

Teaching & Lecturing in Caracas at the Roberto Mata Taller de Fotografia

Posted on February 24th, 2013

roberto mata taller fotografia

I’m heading down to Caracas, Venezuela to lecture and teach for a week with the incredible Janette Beckman. Having never been there before I’m really excited, and have heard great things about the Roberto Mata Taller de Fotografia, and the students there. Stay tuned to this space for more blogging as I hope to tell you all about it, and show the work of our students.

My 2012 Shout-Out

Posted on December 28th, 2012

So 2012 is finally drawing to a close, and I for one am not sorry it’s ending. In fact, good riddance! I always have ambivalent thoughts about the beginning of the New Year, but I do want to thank the people who made 2012 for me.