I'd been interested in shooting street photography but I always wanted to know about the people in the photos I saw and shot. In 2015, I decided to undertake a project of my own and document a neighborhood so I could meet and get to know the people within it.
The Zona Norte of Tijuana is only a few miles from my home in San Diego. It is also known as Zona de Tolerancia because they allow open prostitution in a small area of about three blocks, centered around what is known commonly as The Alley. There isn't much information out there about Zona Norte, other than there are prostitutes, strip clubs, and it can be a dangerous spot. I was smitten.
Photography is actively discouraged on the streets and if you pull out a camera to take a photo, you will be reprimanded and possibly accosted by any number of people, including the person you were shooting, meseros (waiters/barkers for the bars), and the policia. I knew this before I even set foot down there. I had no intention of shooting people without permission.
So my plan was to go down there regularly, walk around the few blocks, and let the folks who live and work there see me with all my camera gear strapped on. I did this for about two months a few times a week. I shot no photos at all, even though I could have easily snuck in a few here and there.
One morning, I spotted a girl who had on orange pants. She smiled at me as she walked past. I walked behind her and finally caught up with her. She was a transsexual from Costa Rica but had lived in North Carolina. I asked if she would let me take her photo. She said yes! We spent the whole day hanging out and having a blast. Her name is Tina. I am sad to say that I have never seen her again, though I have asked about her with many people. No one seems to know where she went. I hope she found a new true love out there.
From there, the floodgates opened. I decided from those first photos that I would make print copies of each photo I took and give a 4x6 print copy to the person I shot. I am eight years in to this project and I have given away loads of photos. Most of my subjects are surprised and happy when I tell them it's a gift - un regalo - and now some folks will seek me out and ask if I will take their picture. Many of the people I shoot tell me that they do not have a single photograph of themselves.
I originally told myself I would spent one year shooting Zona Norte and then reassess. That year is long finished and I have decided to continue on, documenting and shooting.
So the big question is WHY? Why do I shoot prostitutes and junkies and meseros and taco vendors in such a "bad" area?
Because I want to look longer because I see myself in so many of the people here.
