On June 14th, Austin photojournalist Miguel Gutierrez Jr. and four friends began a six thousand mile journey from the United States to Mendoza, Argentina. Travelling up to 250 miles a day, they’ve been riding on motorcycle, stopping only to shower, drink, then photograph. Gutierrez says that he started this journey hoping to capture the diversity and the beauty of Latin America. He wants to dispel notions that this vast region, home to as many rich cultures as the writers it’s famous for, could be written off as violent and chaotic.
Nearly halfway to his destination, Gutierrez responds to our questions from a tiny hotel in Pisté, Yucatan. He writes that this small town is peaceful, the sun already set and the warm weather cooling. Gutierrez also notes that, aside from the seldom heard car, the only real sound is that of cicadas and crickets. And I imagine that, for a photographer, there could be no greater feeling in the world than travelling day after day to complete a sketch of a land you know has yet been fulfilled. To show, through your own lens, the wonder that might have never been seen without you.
In this interview, Gutierrez takes time from his journey to talk about how he started shooting, explain the risks involved with the trip, and reveal what he wants to accomplish in Latin America.
You’re currently in 6000 mile journey through Latin America, thanks for your time. How did you get your start in photography? How would you describe your work?
Yes, I’m currently writing to you from Pisté, Yucatan. Thank you for having me! Since my childhood, I’ve always been interested in the visuals arts. I’ve drawn in one capacity or another for most of my life. In my early 20s, I got my first camera, a Nikkormat FT, but it wasn’t until my late 20s that I began to think of photography as something I wanted to pursue as more than a hobby. With a lot of trial and error, I realized how much I loved photography and how much I needed it in my life.
Through formal schooling, I’ve been trained in the social sciences: Anthropology and Sociology. I’m currently in the Latin American Studies and Journalism (Video/Photography) graduate program at the University of Texas at Austin. This background has greatly influenced my photography and I lean more towards the ethnographic/documentarian side of photography. I’m in love with capturing people’s daily routines; their quotidian lives — those wonderfully decisive moments where everything aligns and you get a visually striking moment. I like to find those. Journalism has also really helped me to focus on certain subjects and producing longer projects. I’m going to be photographing for the Austin American-Statesman this fall and I’m really looking forward to it.
Were you ever unsure of your talents? When did you find your visual voice?
I think it’s natural for anyone aspiring to create something to have a certain amount of doubt in their work. I’m not sure if I’d trust them if they said they didn’t have doubts. For me, my own skepticism has forced me to push my work, to learn more, and get to a level where I’m comfortable with what I’m creating. I think I’m very much still in that process, and there are certainly days where I feel more confident than others.
Could you explain your aims with this trip? Why does photography best suit your documentary pursuits?
This trip has been one of the hardest and yet one of the greatest things I’ve done so far. It all started as a silly conversation between some friends at UT Austin, and before we knew it, five of us were in Eagle Pass crossing into Mexico. For myself, the aim of this trip is to document as much of the sights and people that we meet. Unfortunately, Latin America is a part of the world that has traditionally been portrayed as violent and chaotic. This is not to say that Latin America doesn’t have its social problems, but it’s also important to recognize that it is an extremely diverse part of the world, with plenty of wonderful people. Photography has been a perfect counterpart for my trips. Foremost, I can capture instances that may not be photographed otherwise. Moments that may not have been seen the way I saw them. Secondly, it lets me share those moments.
As a photographer, what are some risks involved? How do you manage your equipment on the road?
One of the biggest risks a photographer runs is rejection. Some people really dislike to have their picture taken, but I’ve found that many more actually enjoy it. I think it flatters most people to know that someone has found them interesting. In Guadalajara, a young man earnestly thanked me for taking his picture. It felt like it really made his day. The other risk, the more pressing one, I think, is theft. It can be difficult to walk around with a nice camera, but I find it’s worth the risk. I typically carry a bag with me, where I can tuck the camera in if I begin to feel nervous. Usually, I carry it over my shoulder. It’s way worse to watch a moment unfold and not be prepared. For this trip, since I’m on a motorcycle, my gear is in dry bags, a waxed canvas bag, and finally, the large bag that goes on the motorcycle. Needles to say, I’ve been guarding everything with my life. Haha!
Could you give our readers a sample of your day? When do you wake up? When do you sleep? How many photographs have you taken so far?
The last couple days have been a bit easier since we’re in the Yucatan peninsula. I had some really rough days driving through the Mexican highlands a week back. There was a lot of unexpected rain and we saw some temperatures in the morning well into the 50s. Which may not seem cold, but when you’re doing 65mph, it’s cold. Typically, we rise at 7 a.m, where we begin the process of loading the motorcycles. Like I stated previously, most everything has to be waterproof, so I keep my gear in dry bags, within dry bags, within bags. It’s a lengthy process to load the bikes and it usually takes about an hour. We then eat a quick breakfast, which typically is at an OXXO, and consists of yogurt, cookies, and coffee. We plan our route and ride off. Our goal has been 200-250 miles a day and we’ve been pretty good at maintaining it. As of today, we’ve been on the road less than two weeks and we’ve already gone about 2,000 miles. Once we arrive to our location, we look for a place to sleep, and start the process of unloading everything. We then shower, grab a beer, and explore the town. I’d say I’ve probably shot about 300-400 pictures right now.
What do you want this project to reveal about Latin American culture?
Through this trip, I want to demonstrate the range of lives in Latin America and dispel stories that portray it as chaotic and devoid of beauty. I also think its important to emphasize that people lead various lives here. Latin America is not a homogenous entity. Additionally, I’m also searching for ideas for future projects and looking to make contact with Latin American journalists. Currently, I’m really interested in the migration of children from Central America to the United States. I’ve gotten a few leads while here, and it is looking like something I will pursue either in Chiapas or Jalisco.
What photographic epiphanies have arrived from this journey so far? What advice would you give to other photographers inspired to do the same?
I don’t think I’ve arrived at a photographic epiphany during this trip, but I have on other ones. Basically, the importance of photography to record life is beautiful. Anytime I think about how photography is an imprint of an event, it blows my fucking mind. This is not to imply that the camera is an objective, truth-machine. I absolutely disagree with the idea of photography being regarded as that, but it’s recording qualities are pretty amazing.
Where are you right now as you type? What does the place smell like? How does the light – if it’s day – fall? How do you feel at this exact moment?
I’m currently writing to you from a tiny hotel (more like a family home w/ various rooms) in Pisté, Yucatan. It is rather warm and humid out, but I actually really enjoy this type of weather. The sun has set, so the temperature has cooled off, but it is still rather warm. There are a couple florescent lights on the patio leading towards the street, where bikers and cars sporadically pass by. The town is rather small. Probably around 5,000 people. The sunset was very pretty earlier and it added the magic of the nearby Chichen Itza ruins. Aside from the occasional car, the only real sound is that of the cicadas and crickets. It’s very peaceful.
Who are some latino photographers, poets, writers, philosophers, activists everyone should know? Who is the greatest person in your life?
I’d say two of my favorite Latino/ Latin American photographers would have to be Enrique Metinides and Alessandra Sanguinetti. I love Metinides’ work. He has these wonderfully grisly, yet poetic crime scene photographs of Mexico City in the 70s and 80s. I also really love Sanguinettis’ work. She visited UT last year to talk about her photo series on two Argentine girls that is very amazing. This is when the feelings of self-doubt start to kick in, hahaha! As for poets/activists, I’d say Gloria Anzaldua has been very influential. Reading the Borderlands helped me to embrace my liminality. It’s a great piece of Chicano/Latino literature. And finally, I’d say everyone should listen to Los Crudos. I grew up in Chicago, in a mostly white punk scene. Most of the time I felt out of place for being Mexican-American. The white kids would call me a spic, and the Mexican-American side would say I was acting white. Seeing Los Crudos helped me to realize that it was okay for me to exist in this place, as such. Anyway, sorry about the delay in responding. The internet can be a bit spotty. Hasta pronto!
Be sure to check out all of Miguel’s work and travel photography tips on his website!
