Photographer: Paul E. Mongillo, Olympia, Washington Image Title: Ali Mohmed Category: Indigenous Cultures   Technical Details: Phillips 4x5 camera, 90mm Nikkor lens, 1 second at f/11, Kodak T-Max 100 film developed N+1 in HC-110 Location: Shimla, India Description: I was wandering the narrow alleys and streets of Shimla, India, and became interested in the odd structure that this merchant, Ali Mohmed, was sitting in front of. He was fascinated by my 4x5 camera, and asked me if I would take his photograph. I realized in that moment that this joyful man and his wares were far more interesting than the building. He enthusiastically obliged my request for him to remain very still. We visited on several other occasions before I left Shimla. Many Americans tend to think that people with few possessions in developing countries want to emulate us. I have found over and over again in my travels that materially poor people in non-Western cultures are generally very happy and rich…rich in culture, spirituality, tradition, family and community. There is much we could learn from them.   I first moved beyond the snapshot phase of photography during the late 1960's when I was 19, when I found myself in a signal unit of the Connecticut Army National Guard and was told I would be a black and white photographer. The unit had a beautiful darkroom and it wasn't long before I discovered the artistic side of black and white photography and began shooting everything from rock bands to homeless people. I gave some thought to becoming a professional photographer at this point, but decided a career pestering fish in the great outdoors was for me. My absence from black and white photography lasted 27 years!   In 1996, my girlfriend placed one of her Nikons loaded with black and white film in my hands, and the rest is history. I now shoot for the pure joy of it. This is a gift. If I had gone into photography professionally 30 years ago I probably wouldn't be as passionate as I now am. After all, I no longer fish with the same excitement I did 30 years ago. I don't really stick to any one photographic subject. I just shoot what excites me at the moment and have images of people, landscapes and various manmade objects in my portfolio. I try to convey to others what moved me before releasing the shutter. On the other hand, what moves me sometimes occurs through manipulation in the darkroom and is not always the same as my initial pre-visualization.   Paul Mongillo Phone: 360-352-5321 E-mail: pmongillo@thurston.com     Return to 2003 Galleries | Return to 2003 Indigenous Cultures Gallery     Home | Contact Us | Copyright