The online portfolio of Pacifico "PJ" Ortiz Luis, a storyteller utilizing different mediums of art including film photography, dance, and performance poetry.
Walking around the strip by myself and inebriated, my mind still level headed enough to have the ability to search for visually appealing individuals, as well as an unusually elaborate vernacular [this is being transcribed from my journal i keep to remember all the people i meet] I meet Hank. I met him on the way to Fat Tuesdays, so I didn’t stay to chat. But his hat was something I felt I needed to capture on film.
I ask him if I can take his portrait, he says yes…”but wait”….then he flips a switch on the back of his hat, and motors start whirring as lights flash and little figures animate like a ride on disneyland. and I don’t know if its the rum, or me being easily amused…but i was absolutely fascinated with his hat. I left the encounter exchanging fist bumps.
Again, when choosing strangers to approach…I usually approach strangers with “something about them” that is magnetic…whether it be their personality, appearance, pose, or even their outfit’s colors in relation to their surroundings. I photographed Caleb aka Aero because of his glasses.
Little did I know, that this guy is pretty famous. Immediately after posting this photo to my social media outlets, I learn that he has alot of history in san diego, hawaii, and the graffiti world. He is the owner of “Blubber” the company that produces the can of paint he is holding. His brother was a famous surfer. Many of friends sent me links to news articles about him…and even his little sister started following me on instagram.
I guess when it comes to strangers, most of them will just be friends you have yet to meet.
thank you pam, i am really behind on this blogging thing. and that comment made me realize i need to post more often.
this photo is part of a project of mine called “100 Strangers” where i track my progress as a photographer through a series of portraits taken over time of people i meet while living my everyday life. i must accompany it with an observation on the person, the approach, the story surrounding the photo, or some sort of narrative.
when i ask to take a stranger’s photo…its because there is something about them at that moment that draws me towards them. i can’t put a finger on why i needed to ask her, but i’m glad i did. every other stranger i’ve photographed from the front, she turned to the side and gave me her profile…like she has modeled before. the resulting image is this yellow-washed portrait of a woman.
i’ve decided to start blogging again. i’ve been meaning to do it for a while….but if i keep putting it off, it’ll never happen. i recently went to the Saul Williams show in San Diego at the San Diego Woman’s Club. and the last thing i expected to do that night, was share the stage with him. i’m inspired to start writing again, so stay tuned for upcoming shows i’ll be performing at.
