BazanPhotos | Student Photography Galleries | 2004

Photography by Ernesto Bazan

Group Justify

My first summer workshop in Sicily. Cefalù opened its doors to us with its beautiful beaches, old center and his welcoming inhabitants. Eleven students from different countries including Holland, Japan, the US, Italy and Mexico came to share this new experience. I felt particularly happy that Sissy and the boys were there too along with my parents, my good old friend Dario and Fausto whom were in charge of the darkroom.

The first day, after the traditional portfolios’ review that set the photographic standard, I invited all my students to a very delicious welcome dinner at my parents’ summerhouse on the hills overlooking the town.

During the following nine days we were out taking pictures in Cefalù, Palermo, Pollina and other intriguing villages dotted around the area. We photographed processions, Sicilians at leisure, and plenty of daily life. The editing sessions were a lot of fun. We had the complete dining area of the hotel, while the commercial kitchen, which included some occasional mice, was transformed into a huge darkroom.

Every morning, while having cappuccinos and croissants, we edited away. As always, all the students had to work really hard to go beyond the ordinary. Some were a bit startled about my toughness in the editing process, but finally they all understood that I was doing it in their own interest. “We couldn’t take no prisoners” as Judith Babinsky wrote in her amusing commentaries on her experience, wanting to underscore that I didn’t compromise when I had to eliminate an image. In the end, we only chose a few precious images over the thousands taken. Each single image perfectly justifies the space within it, a good combination of content and form. The group Justify was born. Simply look at the images selected and judge for yourself.

I feel very fortunate to have made this other dream a reality; I feel privileged to have been, once again, the catalyst of a new life and photographic experience. It doesn’t hurt to add that some of the food we had was simply amazing Sicilian food. The little books will come soon.

I leave you with Danelle’s words that covey beautifully part of the experience:

”Ciao Ernesto. Congratulations...you are officially on vacation…
Thank you so much for initiating me and accepting me into the clan of Bazanphotos. I am thrilled to now be a part of the ones who justify, who find the secondary elements, and the ones who discriminate those subjects who are too aware. In just 10 days, my photography eye has matured in a very exciting matter.”

EB

Sweat, cappuccino, more sweat, more cappuccino, Ernesto’s critiques, “Yes, but….”, more sweat, more cappuccino, Ernesto’s caring, prodding, finally the “take no prisoners” critiques. More sweat, more cappuccino, and finally its time to leave. Hey, where did these images come from? Like Demeter and her startled oxen, fear, sweat, prodding, and we get to the end and we go home and we carry it with us. So on a rainy, frustrating, cold day, it is still there, more real than those hot Sicilian afternoons."

My name is Judy Babinski

My first trip to Sicily was unforgettable and I am sure I will visit the island again. Six months later as I think back to the ten days I spent there, I remember beautiful stretches of ocean and sandy beaches full of vacationers, blissfully ignoring the blistering heat. Since this was my first Ernesto photography workshop, I was initially very self conscious photographing people in the little medieval resort village. I tried to take photographs from afar. Gradually, I became bolder and bolder until I found myself standing with my camera among cows, horses, and Greek gods and goddesses, during the August harvest festival of Gangi. The people were friendly, and Ernesto pushed us to take quality pictures with justified space. I certainly learned a lot in this workshop and hope to take another one some day soon.

Linda Kay Myers

The inspiration I felt capturing the spirit and passion and real life inSicily was magical. Ernesto Bazan’s workshop inserted me into the daily life of the Sicilian people and fed me the hunger to discover and capture my own version of special and interesting single fractions of time. Ernesto’s critical feedback and encouragement heightened my level of awareness and desire to find not only the beautiful or the interesting, but also the pluralities and juxtapositions of momentary events. His energy and spirit was infectious. Thanks to Ernesto, my eye is more sophisticated and my passion for photography will continue to grow.

Danelle Rondberg

Justify was about a unique experience in which we tried to create such images that included all the elements and even moved beyond that ...
It was about sharing in a very intimate way: sharing thoughts, work, everyday with ups and downs and even sharing bedrooms...
I think this has resulted in a beautiful piece of work that can be shared with others and certainly deserves the title Justified!

Dorine Wekking

Please note that the copyright of all the images appearing in the students gallery belongs to each individual photographer. No photograph can be reproduced without the author consent.