Project NotesI have been visiting and shooting in the Sierra Tarahumara for ten years. Some years I have been lucky enough to make two or three trips and some years only one or none. Santiago Jim Barnaby has been my guide throughout and very few of these photos would exist without his support and enthusiasm. Most excursions have been on foot, a couple on horseback, and have lasted two to three weeks. I have shot everything on black and white film (a few rolls of color), usually 35mm and occasionally 2 1/4 because of portability - my hats off to Curtis. I now make hi-res scans of my negatives and then make pigment ink prints on acid free, 100% cotton rag, archival paper. I have never photographed in any situation where I was not given explicit permission by the people of the area I am visiting. Even when given permission there have been times when I just didn't feel right and left my camera in it's bag. I carry a Polaroid camera with me and always offer a Polaroid to my subjects. Some days I have shot Polaroids only, no film, as a means of giving without taking. The response from my subjects when they see their image slowly appear on the polaroid surface is innocent and magical. Their smiles and giggles and looks of wonderment are touching to watch as many of them rarely see pictures of themselves. I have also returned to areas with enlarged prints whenever possible. On one trip a Rarámuri friend was so interested in the picture making process that I left him with my Polaroid camera in its protective bag, several boxes of film and a booklet for the photos. When I returned to the same remote area a year later he couldn't wait to show me his portfolio. He had taken photos of family and friends and some of his favorite places or landmarks. I left him with more film when I left. Santiago has done much to help and encourage his Rarámuri friends to honor their ancestors and protect their future by keeping traditions alive. He has spent much of his time, resources and money in doing this. Whether it is raising and donating money to build a school in a remote area including paying a teacher an annual salary, buying box loads of medecines and bandages for small remote rancherías, providing food and material for important fiestas and traditional ceremonies, he is always learning new ways to make a difference . Everywhere I have traveled in the Sierra Tarahumara I have been welcomed because I am his friend. I have always done my work in the Sierra Tarahumara with the utmost of respect and gratitude, but still have wondered if photographing these proud and private people is a good idea. My conclusion is that I honor the Rarámuri and their ancestors by recording their culture and homeland at this point in time. The outside world can only benefit from knowing that the Rarámuri still exist, that there is another way to live on this planet - simpler, slower and quieter, where 24/7 and cell phones that are obsolete in a year is not the only way. Additionally, the outside world can only encourage measures which promote a safer world for the Rarámuri and other imperiled cultures if they are enlightened as to their existence and the challenges they face. I will be forever grateful for the privilege of photographing the Rarámuri and their mother mountains and these images are my tribute. • • • Images are reproduced as archival pigment ink prints on Museo Silver Rag Paper. This paper is lush and rich, delivering great depth and detail along with high D-max and superior tonal range. It has the look and feel of a traditional fiber print and is 100% cotton, acid free, lignin-free, internally buffered and has no optical brighteners. For information regarding print editions, exhibition or publication please contact Richard Speedy Studio. richard@richardspeedy.com 609 466-9669  |