Rainy season started slowly this year - In fact we had none through New Year. The farmers were starting to worry and I was telling clients not to worry. Somewhat expectedly, it hit with full force and travelling with clients along washed away roads and through mud slides has been an adventure (for them).
By mid February I needed a break and we drove the 1500km to Gualeguaychu in Entre Rios province for the second biggest carnival in South America (after Rio). I prefer Guale to Rio for its manageable size and price. Everyone can join in even though. like Rio, it is housed inside a special building, the locals aren't shut out.
In Rio, the people from the favelas, whose party it is, are left to set up shacks on the roads around the Sambadromo and watch their parade on television.
D was amazed by the size of the floats lined up quietly at the edge of the corso waiting for the parade to begin - The size of an office building, they are as opulent as anything in Rio.
It's hard to gauge the opulent size of a float until you notice the lilliputian people dancing on top. Wide angle lens definitely required.
For photographers, carnival is a real challenge. The combination of bright lights against the night sky and the movement makes focusing difficult. Just when you have a shot in the viewfinder, it moves, the lights move, or someone moves in front of the lens.
There are personalities galore along the corso. The chicas are famous for their tiny sequinned outfits and skill at samba but the men wear some outrageous outfits, as though the competition is about who can carry the most feathers.
Because carnival is a competition - three 'schools' parade each year and are judged not only on visuals but their theme, or story and their dancing ability.
We had front row seats in the VIP section, which sounds flashy but is not expensive here and essential for snapping without heads bobbing in front. VIP is also in front of the judges podium so the parade stops here to show off skills. Of course, when they see the cameras, the dancers strike a pose.
Anyone who goes to Carnival can't fail to be overwhelemed by the colour, the movement, the energy and gaiety of the parade, becoming the traditional kid in the candy store, pink-cheeked with excitement.
One of the schools this year took a dark theme (making it even more difficult to shoot) reminiscent of the practice of driving out the Devil before Lent.
Although Carnival was brought to South America by the Spanish, the locals and the Africans adapted it to their culture. In Guale, Carnival lasts 90 days this year, from the first weekend in January until the beginning of Lent, the first week of march.
Finally it's over at 4am and you leave too excited to sleep and planning your visit next year.
All Photos Copyright Tracy Johnson and Diego Gambino.
OMG, you got FABULOUS photos! I was really frustrated with mine, and the video too. We should have gone for the VIP seats. Those darned dancing, bobbing heads just kept getting in the way. But anyway, we had a wonderful time, as I'm sure you did too.
Posted by: Cherie | February 24, 2011 at 03:32 PM
P.S.
Were we there at the same time, last Saturday, Feb 19th?
Posted by: Cherie | February 24, 2011 at 04:32 PM
O !!! M!!! G!!!! these photos are AMAZING I want to jump on a plane and join in ...Great shots Tracy
maybe we do that for our next girls trip.Besos Janet
Posted by: Janet | May 13, 2011 at 03:49 AM