Zona

If I had to pick a favorite photograph that I have taken it would be this one. I took it in Oruro, Bolivia in 1978. The morning light was perfect. I love the postion of the women because they give the shot action. I love the way you can see the oranges piled high in the stalls and you think, "look at that mountain of oranges". I still remember exactly where it was shot. I was using an instamatic camera because I could not afford the 35mm camera I really wanted to take on my mission. The thing is that I might not have gotten this shot otherwise because I always had the small instamatic camera in my pocket. For that reason the shot is grainy when you enlarge it.

For me a BIG part of photography is being in the right place at the right time or having access to important subject matter. The right light. The right equipment. I know people who will find what they want to shoot and then wait for hours sometimes for the light to be just right. I think about doing that sometimes but I just don't have the time.

Life moves quickly and moments vanish just as quickly. So this photo represents a compromise of sorts. I caught the moment with a cheap camera but the moment was so spectacular that it still comes through boldly.