Just sitting back in our patio with a few minutes to reflect on our Spain and France adventure. I managed to develop 75 rolls of film. That’s only 750 frames and I bracket my exposures. Maybe we are talking 300 photographs, with many being group shots and fun exposures. We are talking 200 photos for 3 weeks.
This adventure that Miguel Soler-Roig, Gina and I came up with over drinks at Paris Photo 2013 was a far in the future idea. When Miguel said it was a go he had secured the locations and lodgings, the workshop became like a time lapse photo of a rose bud opening. We wanted 2 of our models to accompany us, Larva and Sara. Miguel, Gina and I agreed. To go that far and not to have models that I knew and who could work with our students that may not have ever photographed nudes before, Sara and Larva were a must.
Back to Spain, it’s hard to even define the work that Miguel and Gina did to pull this off. But I must say it was the greatest life-changing workshop I have ever experienced. I was not only with Miguel a teacher, but a participant in a life changing experience, through the culture, history, cuisine, friendships and artistic work.
The whole trip boils down to one of our last nights together around the dinner table maybe 1:30 or 2:00 am. We all looked into each other’s souls remembering this crazy 7 days we spent together as a family of artists, a family of friends. And we realized this would never happen again. With great comfort we understood what just happened. Miguel rose his glass and said, “Who is up for next year?” We all cheered and signed up. For next time old friends, new ones we will make a completely new adventure. More to come about our adventures to Jaen, Ronda, Granada, Sotogrande, Seville and Arles.....