Street Photographer with Speed Graphic

[3rdtrick]

His name is Louis Mendez and I have seen him a few times around NYC. He will take your picture with his Speed Graphic and instant (Fuji) film. He must be doing well because he flew to New Orleans for New Years eve.

I know there is a "Shooting the Shooter" thread but I thought he deserved his own thread. Have you seen him? Do you have pictures of him? Please feel free to post more pictures of Louis in this thread.
Hope you all have a great 20011.
Pete

 

[SimonSawSunlight]

I'd be interested in his photographs rather than more photographs of his person.

 

[ramosa]

man, what a get-up. not the most concealed approach, but if it works ...

 

[ramosa]

Trying to find his photos, I found another portrait of him:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cunyjschool/3970655566/

Wow, and this piece in NY Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/03/nyregion/03polaroid.html?_r=1

Even a Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/LOUIS.MENDES.PHOTOS?v=wall&sb=4

Another:

http://www.floatingcameratokyo.com/gallery/p/27

But not much in the way of his photos ... Does he take photographs with that camera--or is he just photographed with the camera? 😉

 

[John Lawrence]

I'd be interested in knowing whether he actually uses flashbulbs in his flashgun - or whether it's just on the camera for show.

John

 

[JeffGreene]

John, I would bet the flashgun is for show and not used. Notice he also has a modern strobe on the left.

 

[John Lawrence]

John, I would bet the flashgun is for show and not used. Notice he also has a modern strobe on the left.

You're probably right. I can't see any plastic cover or grid over the flashgun, which was something I was always told to have when using flashbulbs, just in case one exploded (as they sometimes did) in the face of your subject!

John

 

[Frank Petronio]

He has the sync going to the flash gun....

I think stories and pictures of him are more interesting than his pictures ;-)

 

[Phil_F_NM]

He is using flashbulbs or he wouldn't have the synch cord hooked up tp the graflite. He has quite the rig attaching it to the camera when it may not be necessary which is why i'm pretty sure he's using the bulbs.

I met him once in NYC when i was shooting with my 6x12.
I think the reason we don't see the photos that he creats is that his customers don't scan them. The body of work definitely exists but since he works mostly with instant film its up to the folks who buy the photos to get them online.
what did we do before the internet? 😉

Happy new year, all.

Phil Forrest

 

[Neare]

He uses flash bulbs. He is also quite well known amongst the quirky film photographers around the world.
The article had a few things of his work, but yes, he does polaroid and most of his work doesn't make it to the internet.

 

[John Elder]

Louis Mendez used a flash bulb and the speed graphic when he took portraits of my son and I three consecutive years, 2000-2002, in Midtown during US Open. He told me he doesn't always use flash. In 2002 he told me he had plenty of bulbs for the camera. 2out of 3 shots were taken with B+W. He is a cool guy and knows that camera as well as anyone. I have a portrait of him somewhere.

 

[3rdtrick]

Louis used a flashbulb when he took our photo. I guess he does not do that for everyone, just us old heads (sorry John...) who remember them... I did look him up after I got home and he is all over the net. I thought some of you might have photos of him too.
Pete

 

[JohnTF]

I recall using the flash unit to trip a solenoid on the shutter which then tripped the flash, but seems a cord or two short. ;-) I do see an Edison base adapter to no. 5 bulb?

Regards, John

 

[chrismoret]

Wauw!! This guy must have arms of steel lugging that massive camera around all day.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

lol. Not as heavy as my 1DMkIV with a 24-70 L!