What an instrument this is!

It’s light, shiny, and sexy. I played it for many years since I was a teenager and still after all this time the special feeling I get when I execute the instrument has never faded away.

There is a lot I can say about this Dominican instrument “Guira”, and I think I already have, which is why this blog won’t be structured around the instrument or the person playing it. Do feel free to visit, share and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you wish to learn more.

This short post will revolve around this picture, the subject’s body language, energy, attitude, and physicality which to me as a fellow Guirero myself, hit home.

The red you see in the shot was natural, not photoshopped, and it allowed me to make my subject stand out, hence I raised my ISO to achieve a dramatic punch. My intentions for this composition were to disregard the noise, forget about the grainage and focus on creating a dramatic effect, and for that, you have to compromise a bit. Whenever I shoot concerts, I try reading the style of the lights being used, their trajectory, color, and basically their behavior which helps me understand how they will project on my lens. The challenge is to anticipate the moving lights while adjusting exposure and placing myself on an angle that can help tell my subject’s story.

What’s the story about this picture? This frame is a moment in a Guira player’s life cycle.

This is where we are:

Listening without using the ear.

Playing parts in time but fast forward the song in your head.

In front of a universe of people, but we’re alone in our own world.

Talking and expressing ourselves without using our voice.

Smiling internally not externally

In the moment, present, connected, happy, and fulfilled.

There are a few of us that play this instrument, that just like me will celebrate and unpack this image, and feel the same way I do. Perhaps not a great shot, but a great moment in time.