Mark Callanan Photography

Author: mcfstop

  • Heart Art

    Heart Art

    Some last minute Valentine’s Day heart art.

  • Pic of the Day

    Welcome
    to the
    callananphoto
    Lost and Found Dept.

    In the course of searches through my files, digital and analog, ancient and recent, I often unearth some hitherto forgotten or neglected image that makes me smile.

    Either for their content, photographic merit or for their sentimental significance, I’m creating an archive for these lost souls.

    Here then is a halfway house for the orphans, the accidents, the resurrected and the likeable runts of the litter.

    Their only common denominator is that I didn’t really know what else to do except share them; there’s no chronology, no connection between successive posts, but I’ll keep adding to them….until the cows come home.

    ><><><><><><><><><
    Bahman cattle, dawn fog, Sinaloa

    ●

    (or the horse)

    equine city living, Taxco, Mexico

    ●

    (or the sheep)

    sheep transport, Bishop, Ca.

    ●

    On the occasion celebrating Lynne Bairstow’s Pluma de Plata award at Gil and Lucy’s. (with Laura & Wayne, Claudia, Coco, Bonnie, Trish, Rogelio and me) 1999?

    ●

    The kitchen at Trio Restaurant. PV Mexico

    ●

    yoga in the courtyard of Casa Las Palmas II (De Yturbe architect)

    ●

    hanging by a thread 12 floors off the deck. Hotel NJ, Mexico, DF

    ●

    Piñatero needs a hands-free phone…

    ●

    the skyroad to iztaccihuatl-popocatapetl, Mexico

    ●

    whimsy on a house photoshoot, Mexico City, DF

    ●

    kin and campfire, Jalisco, Mexico

    ●

    Port Davey, Tasmania

    ●

    La Familia CorderoMartiniFigueroaAuresteguiGooch after a swim
    kapalua, maui, hawaii (molokai in background)

    ●

    Fashion accessory photoshoot with Alexandra, owner of Mosaiqe. Punta Mita, 2001

    ●

    burningman
    burningman balloons

    ●

    Connie on the occasion of her 90th birthday with friend Barbarita who I caught at an unfortunate moment but one which begged for a caption.

    ●

    The hat I just bought gets a final brush at Helmer’s in Portland.

    ●

    Under the overpass, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

    ●

    Cooling off at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2007

    ●

    Anibal relaxes with dolphin
    ●

    “WILL BUILD TO SUIT” – New Mexico

    ●

    poppies and smokering – Burningman 2008

    ●

    The Millenium Bug
    During a layover at LAX in 2000, this brand new VW beetle was alone on the rooftop parking lot. The mothership beyond that it mimics is the Jetsonesque skyport restaurant. I made a feeble attempt to sell it to VW but they weren’t buying.

    ●

    Somewhere in Oregon

    ●

    everywhere in mexico. La Virgen de Guadalupe
    ●

    Electrical storms are one (and the only?) good and exciting thing about summer life in Puerto Vallarta. This strike hit the water right in front of the hotel zone. Shot from my street in Amapas towards downtown PV.
    ●

    The Smoothie bus at Kahakuloa on the scenic north coast road on Maui, Hawai’i.

    ●

    Home sweet home. Sydney CBD from the Harbour Bridge

    ●

    Cantina las Perras, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico. The sign by the door translates “No women in uniform or minors”
    ●

    First frame through the lensbaby 3G

    ●

    Cora Indians at a coffee plantation in Nayarit, Mexico
    ●

    Happenstance was Burningman 2000; an artcar tribute to the DNA double helix complemented by a twirling dust devil.
    http://www.callananphoto.com/burningman/http://www.callananphoto.com/burningman2008/
    ●

    Los Indios Tarahumara celebrate Easter with mud, dance, music, tejuino and sleeplessness. Las Barancas del Cobre (copper canyon) Chihuahua, Mexico.
    ●

    Carlos Santana and his Mum going home to Autlán, Jalisco, 2002
    ●     In the pre-plastic glory days of tall ships, the henequen plant provided most of the world’s cordage. A handful of delapidated haciendas in the Yucatan peninsula still process the plant and produce the fibre. Hacienda Ake.
    ●

    Seafood restaurant wallart, La Islote, Guayabitos, Mexico.
    ●

    Sunset clifftop dinner set-up for two at Four Seasons Resort , Punta Mita, Mexico
    ●


    Spiral staircase in Casa Mi Ojo, Careyes, Mexico
    ●

    Mennonite father and his children, Campeche, Mexico
    ●

    (above and below) Murals, La Habana, Cuba

    ●


    Banksia. Floral poker dots of the Sydney bushland.

    ●


    Me, trying to put some life into yet another silent architectural scene.
    ●


    Bananaboat ride, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

    ●

    Classic Americana diner decor. Salida, Colorado

    ●

    One of the quasi-religious parades leading up to La Feria San Marcos in Aguascalientes. More at http://www.callananphoto.com/aguascalientes/
    ●

    what a sad indictment of modern vallarta….I think this is the same woodpecker I found at my doorstep as a fledgling just after they’d started to clear the adjacent lot to make way for another condo tower. I nursed it and released it and watched it fly downhill back to its roost. Four months later there are metal and concrete towers where the huamuchil tree of its birthplace used to be. It’s hard not to be anthropomorphic and suggest that its thought at this moment was “wtf?”

    ●

    This horse may well have had a similar thought….6th National Charro Championship, PV March ’08

    ●

    Sydney Storm from North Head

    ●

    A cuetero watches all his hard work go up in smoke and sparks as hundreds of interconnected fuses and gunpowder charges synchronise and give pyrotechnic life to a classic mexican fireworks castillo (tower).
    ●

    The seawater baths on the southern end of Mazatlan’s loooong malecon. Very popular with the working class who know how to have fun for free.

    ●

    This is about as busy as San Felipe ever gets.
    Dawn patrol services the departing fishing fleet.(Yucatan)
    ●

    End of the Line for the Skunk Train. Fort Bragg, Ca.
    ●


    Cuatro cubanos contentos. Aguardiente-lubricated camaraderie.
    ●

    EJW leap of faith at the science building. Eugene, Or.
    ●

    Liverpool Mall (PV) carpark at midnight
    ●

    This is my foto of Bob Gilbert’s painting of my foto. (and below, some extraordinary tilework designed by Anna the Pom in the house that Bob built at Akunamatata (near Tehuamixtle, Jalisco). The scorpion adorns the threshold, the carp swim in the rockpool.


    ●

    Negative space. Max’s wigwam in the aspens. Colorado
    ●

    Sneakin’ a peek inside the cantina. Merida, Yucatán
    ●

    Study of chair and sculpture.
    ●

    black and white roadside attractions – 1970 BMW 75/5 and cows

    ●


    black and white roadside attractions, mexico style.

    ●

    Point Arena lighthouse, Pug, Mustang

    ●

    Garcia R first floor detail (with oil paint filter treatment)

    Garcia R. forest floor detail with oil paint filter treatment.

    ●

    ●

    ●

    Stay tuned

     

     

  • PEACE

    This gallery was a collection made in response to an invitation from the good peeps at PEACE to submit some suggestions for 2011’s calendar. They asked for inspiring imagery that was indirectly associated with the ideals of Peace: animals, environment, education, culture and the empowerment of women. All in a Mexican context. The final format was square.

  • Los Colores de Careyes

    In February 2010 there was an unseasonal but spectacular overlap of climatic conditions along the Pacific coast of Mexico. Winter usually turns this hinterland to dusty earthtones. But this year, sporadic rains throughout the ‘dry’ season maintained the ground cover and shrubs in a dress of summer green while the late winter flowering trees all came into bloom at once for a smorgasbord of colour.
    And nowhere along the Costa Alegre was this new climatic phenomenon more dramatically illustrated than at Careyes.
    The name is synonomous with its own architectural style and the bold colours with which the Careyes villas are painted. The enclave of satellite mansions contains at it’s centre a hotel and a cluster of multi-coloured, greek island-style stacked dwellings aptly named Las Casitas de Las Flores.

     

    From foreground to background it was a time of complements at Careyes: along roadways and from terracotta pots on terraces, the always blooming bougainvillea burst forth in hues from snow white to papal purple. Midground were the facades of orange, sky blue, yellow and ochre buildings staring out to the blue Pacific. Background was the immutable Sierra Madre Occidental which, at that time, looked like Joseph’s Technicolor Coat adorned as it was with patches of outrageous rosas moradas and primavera in full bloom.
    The lagoon between Playa Careyitos and Playa Teopa never looked so vibrant and healthy.

    Global climate changes can prompt beautiful mistakes.

    For the times they are a changin’ and I was glad to be in Careyes when they did.

     

     

  • I still love my job

    I still love my job

    I was asked to help out on a photoshoot organised by some fellow fotogers.
    What are friends for?

     

     

     

     

  • MiniDigiPix

    A Point n Shoot has given me a new arrow in my quiver.

    I catch more and different moments with the little camera than I do with the monster and motor drive, because it’s always in my pocket.

    These are from a Canon SD720 Sureshot. Love it.





  • international fireworks symposium

    The long awaited and highly anticipated 11th International Fireworks Symposium convened in Vallarta in April 2009.

    I donated a photograph to the promotional cause which became their banner image, hung all over town and was featured on the badges of the hundreds of participating pyros.


    The Tlalchichilpaneco team even incorporated the image into their own banner which a couple later used as a roof to protect themselves from falling embers! (I think molten plastic is worse than smouldering cardboard.) Novel use for a stock image!

    That the symposium organisers didn’t present me with my own pass didn’t stop me from getting in close to the action.


    The 4 nights of fireworks also incorporated the water frontage to good effect, using barges and remotely detonated charges.

    I made 2 sorties into the fiery fray and as with any carte blanche self-instigated photo/doco assignment it’s often the serendipitous sightings away from the main stage that yield the most interesting photographs.

    For more photos of the symposium event, the fireworks and its fringe go here

    But if it’s just fireworks you want,

    ignite this
    and see more castillos and cuetes than you can poke a match at.

    Making my way between the firewoks shows at the stadio and the malecon, I saw a political slogan ominously predicting the fate of street foodstall patrons. I made the connection after scoffing a few volcanes con todo….

    “the movement follows”
    Stay tuned for more bowel humour.

  • Australia Australia Land of the Waratah and Dahlia

     

    My Mum’s 80th in late Feb 2009 was all the excuse I needed for a visit home.
    It also prompted the long threatened acquisition of a mariachi suit….manifestation of a pretend mexican.

    The other clincher to make the trip was the practical reunion of my builder brother Michael and me to reconstruct the elevated verandah at Mum’s house. It had been poorly made and even more poorly repaired over the years; we had the job of making it like new again. (MCsquared/Safety Third Productions.)

     


    The verandah took 2 weeks and included the adaptive improvement to an existing pergola frame on the back of the house using the old deck boards.

    The week after the party was work by day and socialise by night at a string of Sydney artworld events. The first being the archibald wynne and sulman prizes for 2009 at the AGNSW.

    Socially a great event. Some great art too but difficult to concentrate on when the gallery is full of more beautiful people than beautiful art.

    Visually inspired and sufficiently Iubricated, I wandered back to Circular Quay with all eyes on the citynightscape that I hadn’t savoured for too long. The roadworks scene outside the Mitchell Library reminded me of the cartoonish industrial works of Jeffrey Smart.

    Another event in a week of exhibitions and openings was the Moran prize in early March. It was judged solely by my nephew Andrew Quilty which was a great honour but also meant he couldn´t enter the $A80,000 comp….Dean Sewell won. You can see the their work and other examples of the best of contemporary australian photography at Oculi.

     

    Staying in Neutral Bay meant easy access to the ferry service – a glorious 15 minutes to the city, day or night, via the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, neither of which ever fail to impress.

    Sydney coastal weather often highlighted the already spectacular beachscenes. This one squall passed over the Central coast and metamorphosed its way south down the line of the northern peninsular beaches. (Shot from South Palm Beach.)

    Then it was a hop, skip and a jump (plane, train and a car) to western Victoria for 5 days at Tyrendarra, to visit a mate, his missus and friends. Days were spent doing what you do in a happy home surrounded by the Australian bush.


    Nights were spent carousing and making music.

    Pete’s professional life is devoted to the study of the largest animal ever known on Earth, the blue whale which congregates annually along the Bonney Upwelling near Portland.

    Dr. Peter Gill, also known as the biggest bloody clown on the planet also performs for us in a 4 frame movie.

    And thence it was back to Sydney for a final wander and wonder.


     

    Adieu
    hasta pronto

     

     

  • Los Veranos

    Meet Jeff.
    He’s the only one who gets to ride the Los Veranos Can O’ Peas without a crash helmet.
    He owns the joint.
    Lock, stock and 14 smokin’ ziplines.
    He built it from scratch and still likes to ride after all these years to relive the rush he created
    when you step off a platform and scream your way 300m across and above
    the mighty Rio Horcones.

    •
    For the rest of the world, after a self-guided wander riverside,

    the guided tour starts with a harness, helmet and glove fitting with a short demo

    and then its off to get high .

    and go fast.

    There aren’t too many activities where parents, children, grandparents and teenagers all get to experience the same rush and same thrill.

    The zipline is an egalitarian tour and proves that there’s no age limit on thrill seeking.

    However, like parachuting and scubadiving, ziplining is not an innately human pursuit. To span voids hanging from fibres is not an instinct nor a talent we possess as a species.

    Spiders do it , but we have to be pushed, and in the process, convinced that it is really OK. That’s why the first zip is short, slow and low. It’s the teaser that makes you want more. It’s the first of many surprises.

    Expect the unexpected: screamers, scream; fears are faced: the mighty crumble and the meek shall inherit the zippydedoodah.

    There’s always a helping hand if you need it.

    But once you leave the platform, you’re on it and there’s no getting off it, so you might as well relax and enjoy it….et voila! Everyone arrives at the other end grinning like cheshire cats and eager for the next run.

    •
    Teenagers, their bravado temporarily checked by lingering thoughts of mexican engineering standards, enjoy the shock of speed, exposure, altitude and experience, for a change, a sport wherein there’s no sexual superiority, no fraternity other than that of secret fear. Equal rights.

    Some riders retain the cool throughout the extreme conditions.

    some appreciate the passing panorama

    and for some, well it’s just too damn exciting for words
    (except maybe a shrill and prolonged “OMG…………”!!! )

    •
    If children are too small to go themselves they get a personal escort.

    (Adult escort service enquiries can be directed to the Head Guide, Pale (pron. pa-lay) Hah!, not really, but girls don’t seem to mind attention from any of the good-looking bilingual guides)!

    •

    Having a personal or group video of the tour is an excellent souvenir (and keeps this guy fit).
    •

    The names of each ride give clues to the nature of the particular thrill or physical requirements.

    (dos cojones)
    • •

    Throughout the course, the Los Veranos ziplines really constitute a ‘canopy tour’ as they pass above it

    Within it

    and through it.

    •

    After a few hours of group camaraderie, new rivalries emerge and get tested as the tour ends with a challenge race down the river (loser buys the margaritas).

    •

    But the tour, the thrills and the challenges don’t stop there….Just when you thought yourself vindicated as a fearless macho, other animals take the stage and
    sort the men

    and the women

    from the boys and the girls.
    The animals are part of the casual riverside restaurant atmosphere where you’ll find delicious simple, solutions to the appetite earned from exercise and fresh air.

    And after lunch, on a full stomach why not break another few rules and go headfirst into the raging torrent? Ha. not recommended but swimming in all conditions other than wet season floodwaters is a great way to cool off after the tour.

    And to continue the los Veranos mantra of doing weird stuff ‘at least once in your life’,
    there’s a menagerie of other pettable animals to feed and fondle and freakout over.

    You’ll have them eating out of your hand.

    •
    Monty Python, the resident boa is a favourite challenge for most people.
    Some are totally fearless

    and trusting.

    Some try and prove something to themselves or to others.

    Some just love all challenges (and animals) in whatever guise.

    OK. a final challenge quiz question:
    Q: what could be freakier than having a tarantula crawl across your face?

    A: having it in your mouth!

    How will you react?

    •

    For more ridiculous fotos from Can o’ Peas Los Veranos

  • Sailing in Baja

    I’m a lucky bastard with a lousy memory. That’s 2 good reasons for choosing photography as a profession, so at least I have visual proof of all the great things I do in my life.

    In the last 12 years I (think) I’ve been sailing in the Sea of Cortes, Baja California 8 times. I keep going back because I get invited to join other’s trips and because I love Baja as much as any ecosystem in the world. I’m always happy to be there.

    •

    Thanks to Google Earth and NASA you can appreciate the invitingly convoluted coastline of the offshore islands that lie in a daisy chain just to the North of La Paz.. Each cove is an anchorage going from whitesand beach shelving gradually to to aquamarine shallows and on to deep blue sea and usually protected from 3 sides.

    and from 200′ it looks just as inviting.

    To leave an anchored sailboat, paddle ashore in a kayak, set off hiking uphill, reach a plateau of red slab rock scattered with looser rubble, hardy stunted plants and tall cardon cacti and there to stretch and feel the wind under the sun and to look out over a seascape of other rocky islands backdropped by mountains and washed by bluewater….

    well, it’s heaven on earth for me. For Gordy too, I reckon.

    •

    The islands of southern Baja are all about the quiet, the solitude, the elements encompassed, the resilience of nature in a sparse environment, the cleanliness and purity of the light, air and the sounds. It’s a place for meditation with your eyes open observing everything from the expansive to the minute. It’s a feel-good movie without the saccharine. Peregrine falcons live there. I even saw a Maltese falcon there….fair dinkum. Read on.

    •

    The first time I went there was with Emily.

    (that’s Richey on the bowsprit. Emily’s the 30 footer).

    She was lovingly built by one of San Francisco Bay’s boat-building legends, Bill Garvey. She was sweet in every way except for her engine (which is paradoxically and too often the way in sailboats). Richey is also a boat builder so Emily, because she was so well put together, never left anything to do for crafstman Richey so he sold her and set about renovating a string of old woodies that needed his love and his weekends. Emily was also the vehicle for the nuptial flight of me and the missus but that’s another story entirely.

    Most other visits to the Sea have been aboard boats from the Moorings fleet out of La Paz. One time we got a catamaran which was like sailing an oil rig but also very accomodating as a viewing paltform.

    The majority of trips were made on pop-out Beneteau monohulls produced for the bare-boat charter business. As such they have plenty of water and fuel capacity, plenty of heads and just enough performance to keep them out of too much trouble.

    And when you’ve had enough sailing you can always just park the bloody thing and…

    go fishing

    go swimming

    paddle,


    snorkle

    or explore while someone else does the driving.

    You can skip rocks,

    balance on a rock


    balance your own rocks

    or see how Nature does it.


    You can find seashells by the seashore,

    or practice the ancient art of fossicking.

    •
    Sailboats and Baja are good for family reunions


    good for the young

    the young-at-heart

    and the old farts who can rediscover their youth too in the course of an average day’s shenanigans!

    •
    In Baja,like anywhere, you can wait for photos to come to you or you can go looking for them.



    Oh. And the Maltese Falcon? She was there with us in Ensenada Grande on Isla Espritu Santo – all 289 feet of her and attended by sundry support craft from a classic 100′ European motor-sailor to a two-man sub! The largest privately owned yacht in the world.

    more pix from the 2008 sailing tour of Baja

error: Photos are Copyright © Mark Callanan