LomoReporter: Laurice Fox with the Simple Use Film Cameras at Carnaval de Bahidora

LomoAmigo Laurice from Foxkult captured the magic of Carnaval de Bahidora in Mexico with our Simple Use Film Cameras. Today she's sharing her exclusive insights in her own words and her beautiful pictures.

The magic of Mexico is that you can feel its sacred energy emanate from every pore of its rich culture: from the food, to its ruins, the music, its people and their traditions. Mexico represents resilience, sustenance, and abundance — qualities instilled by its native inhabitants centuries ago. From an American (US) perspective, I always viewed Mexico as a vacation destination for its beaches and resorts, and less as a developed country thriving. Yet, the more I travel this awe-inspiring country, the more I realize how advanced it is as a nation, and what example it serves for quality-of-life when compared to the USA.

With Lomography's reloadable Simple Use Film Cameras and the Lomo'Instant Wide in tow, I returned to Mexico to coordinate International Media for the sixth edition of Carnaval de Bahidora, a music, art, wellbeing festival two hours outside of Mexico City. My first time in CDMX, I experienced it as a global, cultural center-point. Irresistible to the modern creative — I easily fell in love with the vibrancy, nightlife, food, and music of the city.

The Simple Use Film Cameras are best for capturing the essence of a moment and landscape on either its Color Negative, LomoChrome Purple, and Black and White film, giving each photo extra rich composition and contrast post-processing.

The Lomo'Instant Wide, a forever favorite of mine, is great to have for live performances and traveling (despite its bulkiness). Its variety of settings such as double exposure, bulb, 1/30 f-stop, allow you to be creative and artistic on the spot for an unexpected, and usual photo.

Arriving in January to Mexico, a month before the festival — I had some time to revisit and visit other parts in central and Atlantic coast of Mexico. This time of the year is the close of high-season in the Caribbean aka Quintana Roo, home to the Mayans and their ancient ruins and beautiful beaches. Playa del Carmen and Tulum are two of the most popular tourist locations along the Mayan Riviera, and are known for their elite offering of electronic dance music events and festivals. After lazing on the beach all day or visiting ruins and cenotes, many are ready to find the party on the beaches or deep within the jungle to let loose to what some call “playa tech” from one or another touring European DJ.

Las Estacas Parque Natural, the festival and campground for Bahidora, served as a dynamic and lively canvas for the endless artistic photo opps with the Simple Use Film Cameras and Lomo'Instant Wide. Illuminated by the perpetually beaming sun throughout the day, Las Estacas, is a photographer’s dream. The sun amplifies the colors of the park’s natural habitation; making the colors layered with the simple use filters a fun experimentation. Like any disposable, you point, shoot, and hope for the best once developed!

The 2.5 day festival opened on a Friday afternoon for festival campers, offering them a party known as Umbral featuring Armada Fania DJs including Kenny Dope, Rich Medina, and Sabine Blaizin. Following the momentum of a fiery opening party delivering afro-carribean, electronic beats (and a 7.2 afternoon earthquake) — Bahidora kicked-off its non-stop activities with art installations from local Mexican artists and collectives, lectures on sustainability and the environment, yoga and meditation, food and commercial vendors, and of course a stacked alternative line-up boasting Kamazi Washington, Shigeto, Lee Burridge, Floorplan, Fred P, Axel Boman, Robag Whrume, Mount Kimbie, and many Latin-American acts including Nathy Peluso and Zombies in Miami. A more relaxing time included swimming and floating down the Yautepec River, which runs through the festival grounds, receiving massage specials at the parque’s spa, or stumbling upon low-key acoustic vibes planted deeper within the jungle.

Bahidora served as testament that Mexico may be more progressive when it comes to large-scale, immersive productions targeted at millenials. In value, it is way more affordable than large concerts and productions than in American cities, the crowd appears to be more mature, and have a better handle on substances (no intoxicated all-American bros), and the atmosphere overall is welcoming and familial. A reflection of its home country, Bahidora in its sixth year, represents the advancement of Mexico, and its cities’ growing attraction for creativity and relocation.

I am beyond thrilled with the outcome of my photos from my trip, and to be able to share my perspective of Mexico through the lens of Lomography and preserved on its super sharp and color-rich film.

Check out Foxkult and follow them on their Instagram

written by birgitbuchart on 2018-05-16 #gear #places