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Mi Vida es un Sueńo – Hecho Por Sal Rojas :)
Mi Vida es un Sueńo | My Life is a Dream – Sal Rojas
Sal Rojas in Zaragoza, Spain (2005) Photo credit:Rick Rojas
I remember taking a photography class at Cal State Fullerton as an elective to brush up on my photography skills from high school. One of the first assignments was to write a paper on our favorite photographer. At the time I didn't have one, I really didn't want one. The rest of my colleagues wrote papers on Annie Leibowitz, Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon and the other
high-profile celebrity / fashion photographers. I couldn't find a photographer who had a body of work that spoke to me as a Chicano. I never turned in that paper and have never taken another photography class since. At the time I never thought I would make money as a photographer, pursuing a computer science degree seemed like the best bet. I put away my camera and started working at The Boeing Company as a computer science undergraduate student.
In early 1997 I started experimenting with my university-based website and created “Sal’s Webzine” on the CSUF servers until I ran into some opposition from the Computer Science department who didn’t appreciate the direction of my work. By that time my classmate and future business partner Javier Oseguera and I had officially launched BrownPride.com on October 19, 1997, on one of our mutual friend’s internet server. We were now outside the jurisdiction of the university where we had the total freedom to create the website we wanted
to without any interference from people that didn’t believe in our vision.
Ever since then Javier and I have updated and maintained this website for the past decade. What I appreciated most about working on BrownPride.com is that it brought back my passion for photography and allowed me to do it for myself. I also discovered my favorite photographer, El Gran Maestro Manuel Alvarez Bravo (1902-2002). I studied the way he photographed Mexico and her working class. His portraits brought out their dignity. His photography had integrity. I found solace in his work, the love he had for his country and people inspired me.
Wilton Rey (American Latino TV) filming me on 106 and Park in Spanish Harlem.
That same passion Bravo and I share for our people led to my first solo photography exhibition in Zaragoza, Spain in 2005. The exhibition was followed by an invitation to be interviewed and featured on LatiNation TV for my Latino themed photography. LatiNation TV captured my photo sessions throughout the Latino neighborhoods of New York City from Washington Heights to Spanish Harlem to Corona Queens. That segment was so well received I was nominated for “Most Inspiring Latino” in their first annual American Latino Awards Show.
You can find some of my photographs on the glossy pages of magazines based out of Spain and Italy. I’m currently working on a new project for a Paris-based magazine coming out next year.
When I started my journey 10 years ago, I never imagined that this website would help me realize some of my dreams...
None of this would have been possible without the support of my family and friends that were supportive through the good and bad times. I just wanted to THANK each and every person that took the time to vote for me as your “Most Inspirational Latino”. Because of your support I was presented with the “Most Inspiring Latino Award” by Renzo Devia and Robert Rose of American Latino TV / AIM Tell-A-Vision Group.
ˇSiempre Fuerte!
Hecho Por Sal Rojas :) / BrownPride.com 1997-2007
www.salrojas.com |
www.madeinaztlan.com | myspace.com/salrojas
Most Inspiring American Latino Segment from the American Latino Awards 2007
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