Guatemala by Tom Bell

The highland village markets are filled with people in colorful indigenous clothing, buying and selling brightly hued fruits and vegetables, blankets, woven goods, wood carvings, and articles for tourists.
Guatemala | Tom Bell

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When I first traveled to Guatemala in the late 1980’s, it was presented to me as “the land where color was born.” Indeed, it may be.

The highland village markets are filled with people in colorful indigenous clothing, buying and selling brightly hued fruits and vegetables, blankets, woven goods, wood carvings, and articles for tourists. Everywhere, there is color. And my photographs reflected it.

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

I mostly do candid street photography, attempting to capture the character and nature of people in their own environment. Amid all the color, Guatemala is filled with people of strong character. When I showed my images to people, the photographs were met with enthusiasm, but the comments always centered on “all of the beautiful colors.”

At some point, I came to my senses and realized that color is a distraction. It often takes away from the story I’m trying to tell. I started processing the same images in black and white, and the difference was astonishing. I was now telling the stories I wanted to tell. Comments on my images were now about the character in a face.

I visit the highland market villages once every two or three years and continue to build a portfolio documenting the people and places I encounter over time. I see modern society slowly eating away at the Mayan traditions, clothing, and way of life. While they are not in immediate danger of disappearing, the influences of contemporary life are becoming more and more apparent.

I’m pleased that I’m able to document and tell the stories of these people while their traditional culture is still alive and thriving.

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

Guatemala | Tom Bell
Guatemala | Tom Bell

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Submission
Dodho Magazine accepts submissions from emerging and professional photographers from around the world.
Their projects can be published among the best photographers and be viewed by the best professionals in the industry and thousands of photography enthusiasts. Dodho magazine reserves the right to accept or reject any submitted project. Due to the large number of presentations received daily and the need to treat them with the greatest respect and the time necessary for a correct interpretation our average response time is around 5/10 business days in the case of being accepted. This is the information you need to start preparing your project for its presentation.
To send it, you must compress the folder in .ZIP format and use our Wetransfer channel specially dedicated to the reception of works. Links or projects in PDF format will not be accepted. All presentations are carefully reviewed based on their content and final quality of the project or portfolio. If your work is selected for publication in the online version, it will be communicated to you via email and subsequently it will be published.
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How can we help? Do you have an idea or something you'd like to share? Please use the form provided, or contact us at contact@dodho.com
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