Carlos Rene Castro was born in El Progreso, Yoro, Honduras in 1998. immigrated to the United States at the age of five with his parents to pursue the American Dream. He and his family settled in the agricultural town of Salinas, California and lived there for two years before moving across the nation to Coral Gables, Florida. In Coral Gables, Carlos experienced the multicultural environment that South Florida offers. Financial issues forced Carlos and his family to move back to Salinas.
Carlos graduated from Alisal High School in 2016 and is currently now a freshman at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California. His plan is to transfer to a four year university to study Fine Art. He was first introduced to the photographic arts early on when his dad bought him a point and shoot camera for Christmas. He would photograph scenery on family trips and capture the personal moments with his camera.
Growing up in East Salinas, Carlos feared that one day he would be murder victim due to the high mortality rates of young Salinians. It was common for Carlos to read in the Paper that former classmates had been murdered. He feared for his life, just another number on a list of fallen friends. Carlos used that fear to bring disquiet into his photographs.
Mr. Castro reveals the hidden beauty and stark emotions in the community of East Salinas through analogue black and white photographs. His work is unique, photographing the streets of East Salinas which have rarely been photographed. Carlos wants the viewers to be puzzled and question his work. Hopefully finding his/hers own perspective in his photographs. His work continues to evolve as he has become more comfortable with using the camera to it's fullest potential. The influences of his community and past experiences have shape him in to be young photographer he is today.
For more information and photos please see Carlos' website www.carlosrenecastro.com
Carlos graduated from Alisal High School in 2016 and is currently now a freshman at Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California. His plan is to transfer to a four year university to study Fine Art. He was first introduced to the photographic arts early on when his dad bought him a point and shoot camera for Christmas. He would photograph scenery on family trips and capture the personal moments with his camera.
Growing up in East Salinas, Carlos feared that one day he would be murder victim due to the high mortality rates of young Salinians. It was common for Carlos to read in the Paper that former classmates had been murdered. He feared for his life, just another number on a list of fallen friends. Carlos used that fear to bring disquiet into his photographs.
Mr. Castro reveals the hidden beauty and stark emotions in the community of East Salinas through analogue black and white photographs. His work is unique, photographing the streets of East Salinas which have rarely been photographed. Carlos wants the viewers to be puzzled and question his work. Hopefully finding his/hers own perspective in his photographs. His work continues to evolve as he has become more comfortable with using the camera to it's fullest potential. The influences of his community and past experiences have shape him in to be young photographer he is today.
For more information and photos please see Carlos' website www.carlosrenecastro.com
The 2017 Photographer's Rendezvous
Baker Morrell Scholarship winner
Every year we give the Baker Morrell Scholarship to a up and coming photographer. Last year we proudly presented Catherine Segura with the $1000.00 Baker Morrell Scholarship Award and gave her a very warm welcome to our group.
Catherine did a edifying presentation and demonstration of the Wet Plate photographic process. A 1850's process using chemically treated wet emulsion glass/metal plates. It's relatively quick and portable in comparison to other competing 1850's photographic processes (it was the Polaroid of it's day) . The process begins, when a glass/metal plate is coated with an emulsion and then sensitized with liquid chemistry. The plate must be exposed and developed within 10-15 minutes while still wet. The photographic images produced are stunning and once varnished, are very durable.
Catherine's use of period piece lenses and cameras was captivating. Being able to make beautiful glass/metal plate photograph anywhere using her portable dark room was remarkable. From wet plate to developed photo in less than 15 minutes... not bad at all for 1850.
It's so encouraging to see a young, dedicated photographer embracing and mastering such a timeless, elegant process.
Special thanks to Catherine's Mom and Dad for their assistance in making the demonstration so successful.