POLAROID BRAZIL - SALVADOR DA BAHIA

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil
Polaroid SX 70 print scanned
©Michael G. O'Brien

I made this image in 2001 from the balcony of my room at Grande Hotel Da Barra in Salvador da Bahia. In the distance is the island of Itaparica. Outside the door of the hotel lies one of my favourite urban beaches in a neighbourhood that allowed me to be close to Brazilians. This polaroid with all it's soft imperfection summed up the soul of the place for me.

Much has happened in my life since this image was made - but this moment lives in my heart forever.

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The Millennial Carnaval in Olinda, Brasil.

These guys are the Boogie Men of Brazil.

Click here to see more images from my Brazil in Colour collection. Made during the Millennial Carnaval in Olinda, Brasil.

YEMANJA - BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL DANCER/GODDESS

YEMANJA - BRAZILIAN CARNAVAL DANCER/GODDESS

Last night,during a talk I gave at the Toronto Camera Club I was asked this question: of all the photos that I've made what is my personal favourite? The answer is the photo above. Why? because for me it emanates the soul, the beauty, and the power of Brazil.....in short, the power of the revered Brazilian Orisha Yemanja. 

Maracatu dancer during Carnaval in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil

Maracatu dancer during Carnaval in Olinda, Pernambuco, Brazil

During Carnaval I was asked to photograph a Maracatu musical group in Olinda, which is near Recife in the Northeast of Brazil. Maracatu's rhythmic sound is driven by a powerful percussion section and this is one of their dancers photographed at dusk. I used a 50mm lens wide open with tri x film and floated beside her to make this image.
She had an aura of sensuous majesty that I will never forget. Like the beloved Yemanja.

Roberto Griot and Sons - Salvador da Bahia, Brazil

Roberto Griot and Sons - Salvador da Bahia, Brazil  - photo by Michael O'Brien

While working on an image series about people in the Pelourinho district of Salvador, I was fortunate to meet painter Roberto Griot. He has a studio on one of the main streets near Ignacio Assioli street; the heart of old Bahia. On the lower floor was his gallery and upstairs ( where this image was made ) he kept his studio. When his children ran through the room one more time I asked if we could make a picture together and he agreed. While we did this he looked at them lovingly saying that these two were his favourite creations.