project » Light matters

Let’s review

Posted by Xavier Mascareñas on August 20, 2012 at 5:20 pm

Aug 202012

So, I haven’t kept up with this blog for awhile, but I’m just going to jump right back in and post some of my favorite photos from the last couple of years. Please check back soon, as I’ll be updating regularly. Thanks for stopping by!

2011:

Victoria Ulrich, 17, plays with building-blocks in her room at her home in Cortlandt on March 31, 2011. Victoria was born with Treacher-Collins syndrome, a facial-cranial disorder, and as a result has no outer ears, cannot speak without assistance and has seizures. Victoria’s father George is being forced to change his work hours at the United States Postal Service, which enabled him to care for his daughter after school, after 17 years of accommodation. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Victoria Ulrich, 17, right, eats a pudding snack as her brother Christopher, 23, left, looks at some of her day’s schoolwork at their home in Cortlandt on March 31, 2011. Victoria was born with Treacher-Collins syndrome, a facial-cranial disorder, and as a result has no outer ears, cannot speak without assistance and has seizures. Victoria’s father George, center, is being forced to change his work hours at the United States Postal Service, which enabled him to care for his daughter after school, after 17 years of accommodation. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Victoria Ulrich, 17, left, talks with her brother Christopher, 23, about her school day while in her room at their home in Cortlandt on March 31, 2011. Victoria was born with Treacher-Collins syndrome, a facial-cranial disorder, and as a result has no outer ears, cannot speak without assistance and has seizures. Victoria’s father George is being forced to change his work hours at the United States Postal Service, which enabled him to care for his daughter after school, after 17 years of accommodation. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Mike Spano is congratulated on his way to give his victory speech in the Yonkers mayoral race among his supporters at The Polish Center at 92 Waverly St. in Yonkers on Nov. 8, 2011. Voters in Westchester County made their selections for local and county officials, along with state Supreme Court justices. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Mehrdad Sanai of Dutchess County recovers after running during the weekly meeting for the Westchester Track Club at the White Plains High School track June 1, 2011. Sanai, who said he works in area, has been a member over ten years, and said the group is like a family. Mike Barnow, who leads the group, has coached some of the runners in his class since the 1970s. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clown Dr. Adam Smasher, right, asks for a volunteer to assist him and fellow clown Kid Kinetic during a performance of “Science of the Circus” at the John Paulding School in Tarrytown on Feb. 16, 2011. Smasher, who is also known as Joel Ringling, and Kinetic, who is also known as Mike Ringling, said the goal of the performances are to show children fun and practical examples of laws of science and physics. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Many girls competing in the steeplechase struggle through the course during the Pirate Relays track and field meet at Pearl River High School in Pearl River on April 2, 2011. Molly Shine of Pearl River took first in the event, and fellow Pearl River competitor Kerry Guerin took third. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Neil Bellamy of Brooklyn, center, uncle of graduate Michael Bellamy, uses a graduation program as a makeshift umbrella during the Mamaroneck High School graduation June 22, 2011. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Homeowner Diana Jordan, 82, is photographed at her flooded property on Highway 340 in Sparkill on March 11, 2011. Jordan said she was told by officials of Sparkill that Sparkill Creek would be dredged, but it hasn’t happened. Diana and husband Albert, 83, were homebound all day, but the Sparkill Fire Department was able to move their car to avoid extensive flood damage to the vehicle. A neighboring cottage they had hoped to rent will need extensive repair and restoration. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Aron Gjonbalaj (cq) of Briarcliff Manor, 11 months old, experiences the beach for the first time, reluctantly at moments, with the help of his father Florent Gjonbalaj (cq) at Oakland Beach in Rye on June 1, 2011. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Bronxville’s Christian Conway is brought down head on by Tuckahoe’s Gary Moss during the football game between the two state champs at Bronxville High School on Sept. 24, 2011. Bronxville beat Tuckahoe 33-12. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

during the Spartan Sprint at the Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center in Orange County on June 4, 2011. Competitors faced several obstacles, including the muddy 40-yard uphill barbed-wire crawl, an ice pit, fire pit and the final run through a gauntlet of muscled “gladiators.” ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Shawn Marren, the human cannonball at the Royal Hanneford Circus, is photographed with his cannon outside the Westchester County Center in White Plains on Feb. 17, 2011. Marren is billed in the show as “The Human Lightning Bolt.” ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Rockland Rockstar Resident, and resident rocker, Joe Delia is photographed at this home in Tappan on Jan. 13, 2011. Delia is a career musician who provides keyboards and vocals for his band, Thieves, scores movies and has a long list of musical accomplishments to his name. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Ossining at Sleepy Hollow football 10-1-11

Ossining’s Keon Ervin breaks up a touchdown pass to Sleepy Hollow’s Darien James during Sleepy Hollow’s last drive in the fourth quarter during the football game at Sleepy Hollow High School on Oct. 1, 2011. Ossining beat Sleepy Hollow 25-20. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Monsignor Patrick Carney leads Mass before the Sacred Heart Parish Children’s Mass and Pageant at Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale on Dec. 24, 2011. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Dishes served at a table overlooking the Hudson River, counter-clockwise from left, are photographed on the patio at the riverfront restaurant Harvest-on-Hudson at 1 River St. in Hastings-on-Hudson on Aug. 2, 2011. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Hutchinson River Parkway traffic 12-1-11

Traffic flows northbound at left and southbound at right after dusk on the Hutchinson River Parkway as seen from the Weaver Street overpass in Scarsdale on Dec. 1, 2011. The Hutch is one of the most difficult roads for commuters in the New York City metro area. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Below is a series of portraits I photographed for our Thanksgiving centerpiece story last year, and then did a quick layout as option for our designers. Each photo was for a story on situations where the subjects were thankful.

( Photo illustration by Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

2010:

Bennett Chazen stretches inside of an isolation-unit at White Plains Hospital on Nov. 11, 2010. Bennett and twin brother Camden were born Aug. 31, 10-weeks premature. Their parents Emily and Michael are particularly thankful this Thanksgiving because the babies survived, and for the work of hospital staff throughout the ordeal. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Luke McDermott, a fifth grader at Richard P. Connor Elementary School in Suffern, is comforted by his neighbor, Melissa Esmez, whose child also attends the school, on June 16, 2010, during a gathering of students, staff and parents at the school’s athletic field to dedicate a memorial to slain gym teacher Jami Erlich. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Chris Bloch, 25, of Yonkers, embraces Meghan Marshall, 29, of White Plains, while celebrating the United States’ game-winning goal against Algeria during the World Cup on June 23, 2010. The two were among dozens of fans gathered at the Brazen Fox, in downtown White Plains, to watch the match. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

The class of 2010 shows a wide range of expressions as they wait for the commencement to begin after the National Anthem at the Rye Neck High School graduation, June 24, 2010. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Farm worker Wayne Simpson of Jamaica carries a basket of tomatoes to take in from the field at Stuart’s Farm in Yorktown Heights on Aug. 11, 2010. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Desmond Hinds Sr. and his wife Sharon, parents of Pace football player Desmond Hinds Jr., display emotion during the recounting by attorney Bonita Zelman of the events surrounding the death of Danroy Henry Jr. at a press conference at the Marriott in Tarrytown on Oct. 22, 2010. Hinds Jr. was sitting in the backseat of Henry’s car when the shooting occurred. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Plumber and artist Juan Feliciano is photographed with his “pipe people” in Ossining on Nov. 5, 2010. His copper creations are made of commonplace plumbing materials, such as valves, fixtures and fittings. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Boxer Natalie Gonzalez of New Rochelle is photographed at Main Street Boxing in New Rochelle on Dec. 31, 2010. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

a long overdue entry

Posted by Xavier Mascareñas on September 15, 2010 at 11:13 pm

Sep 152010

well let’s just jump right in. i’m loving the job, and am getting the opportunity and resources to make great storytelling photos…and occasionally work on longer-form stories. so the ball’s in my court. on that note, shortly after i started, i was assigned to photograph three families for a series writer Gary Stern was working on about the different approaches families take for caring for their elders/parents. here are a few photos from my time with the Siragusas. my goal, while working within a specific window of time, was to give a glimpse into the everyday routine of children taking care of their elderly parents.

Nancy Siragusa, 48, top, cares for her parents, Edmund Siragusa, 92, and Mae Siragusa, 85, with help from elder-caregiver Dorothy Rinda, far left. Nancy attends to her parents while Dorothy feeds Mae and Edmund naps in the elder's New City home July 7, 2010. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Nancy covers her mother with a blanket to be comfortable while watching television in Mae's room July 7, 2010. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Nancy Siragusa, 48, makes calls to try and procure a lightly-used wheelchair for her mother after setting her down to watch television July 7, 2010. Nancy cares for her father, Edmund Siragusa, 92, left, and mother, Mae Siragusa, 85, in their New City home. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Nancy shares a lighthearted conversation with her father July 7, 2010. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Nancy Siragusa, 48, pulls her mother, Mae, over a curb on their way to the Nanuet salon to get her hair done by Marie Limongelli on July 10, 2010. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

Nancy Siragusa, 48, cares for her parents, Edmund Siragusa, 92, and Mae Siragusa, 85, in their New City home. Mae is photographed July 10, 2010, geting her hair done by Marie Limongelli at Hair Creations in Nanuet, while Nancy, right, watches. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

in related news, you can now see my work at LoHud.com, the website for The Journal News in White Plains, New York, which has two separate editions — one which cover Westchester County (the location of the main offices, and larger paper/coverage area —home to the cities of Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, and a whole load of villages and towns), and Rockland County (across the Hudson, on a little triangle of NY that borders NJ). the coverage area for breaking and community news is so vast, and publications numerous, i do not always know what runs when, but i will post selected work here on a more frequent basis. ideally.

thanks for stopping by.

here’s a few photos from an interesting story i was working on in college

Posted by Xavier Mascareñas on March 5, 2010 at 12:36 pm

Mar 052010

below i’ve posted a few photos from a story i was working on in Albuquerque in late 07. “Mariachi Orgullo,” which is Spanish for “Pride Mariachi,” was Albuquerque’s only gay and lesbian mariachi group…and the first of their kind, according to band leader Adan Branchal. around the time i was leaving for Austin after graduation, they were breaking up…or fizzling out to be more accurate, Branchal said (lack of continued interest and paying work). but while it lasted, it was an interesting interaction between traditional Mexican culture colliding with modern, non-traditional culture — and actually working pretty well — these folks sounded great. actually, aside from the member’s work with Mariachi Orgullo, many of them played in larger groups regularly, under renowned mariachi directors. i haven’t been able to do anything i’m really happy with, regarding an edit of these photos, but some of them are kind of fun images so i thought i’d post them here. if not a blog, then where!?enjoy

Xavier Mascareñas; Mariachi Orgullo is a gay and lesbian mariachi group based out of Albuquerque, N.M. They are led by Adan Branchal, Mr. Pride 2006 for the Albuquerque Gay Pride Pageant, who also played with the New Mexico Highlands University Mariachi band in Las Vegas, N.M. His father, Nick Branchal, started New Mexico's first high school mariachi group in 1981 at Taos High School, and their family has always been involved with performing. In this photo, Anthony Ortiz, a violinist with the group, gets ready to practice at Adan Branchal's house in Albuquerque. Branchal's partner, Joseph Gutierrez, applies makeup in the background for his on-stage personality, "Anastasia," before performing at a local bar for the Kamikaze Drag Queen competition.

Xavier Mascareñas; "Anastasia" is tipped during a performance at the Albuquerque Social Club on Sept. 22, 2007.

Xavier Mascareñas; Adan Branchal, left, and Joseph Gutierrez relax shortly after Branchal sang a love song in English to help raise money during a fundraiser on Feb. 4, 2007. Before performing, Branchal said "I'm shaking. I get more nervous before shows like this than I do before performing for a whole lot more people. The smaller the crowd, the more personal it is, and the more I worry about what people are going to think of me. It's not easy for me to do this."

Xavier Mascareñas; Adan Branchal's partner, Joseph "Anastasia" Gutierrez, left, and Anthony Ortiz prepare for their own types of performances in Branchal's Albuquerque Westgate home Jan. 21, 2007.

Xavier Mascareñas; The Martinez family listen to Mariachi Orgullo perform in their home.

Xavier Mascareñas; Timoteo Serna plays a trumpet solo Jan. 21, 2007, during Mariachi Orgullo's performance for about 20 people gathered in a small living-room. The group performs at a wide range of events, from AIDS benefits and drag shows to religious events and family celebrations.

UNMH Southeast Heights Clinic project is opening April 3rd

Posted by Xavier Mascareñas on March 6, 2009 at 2:58 am

Mar 062009

this is Gerardo Dulzides-Ojeda — a man who was sought personally by Fidel Castro for his involvement in anti-communist actions in Cuba in the 60′s. to summarize a quote, he told me he’d be fighting Castro right now if he was physically able, and that if given another life after this one, he’d still fight for democracy in Cuba. powerful stuff.

Gerardo was the third-to-last photo i’ll be doing for the project, which will total around 21 images when all is said and (mostly) done. i will be working in Farmington when April 3rd comes around, but i really want to try and make it down for the clinic’s grand opening. it ought to be a nice community event, and i’d love to see how the photos end up looking on the walls at the new Southeast Hts. clinic on Central Ave. and Texas St.

i’m sticking with b&w…right here, for now

Posted by Xavier Mascareñas on January 29, 2009 at 2:07 am

Jan 292009

Wivine and her two-year-old son, Junior, have fun while trying to get ready for the photo. not sure if this is ‘the one,’ but if i don’t post it here, no one will ever see it. i also loved the “Cat in the Hat” creation on the wall behind Wivine.

Anne Marie and her two-year-old son, Alexsony, in their living room. The blanket behind their couch seemed like a fairly nice, nondescript backdrop.

referring to the post title: when i first heard about this project, i was thinking it would look best in black and white, with a solid dark backdrop behind the family’s portraits. nice and simple, and let the subjects/people speak for themselves. i also like how b&w seems to encourage people to examine the parts of a photo that matter the most (logically, at least). however, the Hospital was really thinking they wanted color — which would show off nicely the traditional clothing that many of the families will most likely wear. sooooo, here’s my final answer: i think i will just post the photos here in black and white, with the intention of composing that way, while being mindful of the color mostly in my lighting.

wow…i guess i should have just started this part of the post “…dear diary.”

enjoy

beginning work on a short project for UNMH

Posted by Xavier Mascareñas on January 28, 2009 at 12:37 pm

Jan 282009

here’s the first of a series of portraits i’m making for the University of New Mexico’s new clinic opening in the Southeast Heights in a month or so. that’s gives me a deadline of, “like, yesterday!” i’ll be pretty busy for the next few weeks, which will be great. i’ll get to work with many different families from all over the world, and some great translators to help me write a little about each family’s experience to accompany the finished portrait.
by the way, i’ll print it in color for the clinic. i rarely get to work in b&w, though, so i thought i’d post that version here.

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