My Visual Treasures

My Visual Treasures

A collection of breathtaking photographs by professional photographer Gilbert Lopez of El Paso, Texas.

How the love of photography was born

By Gilbert Lopez It all started with a little box camera I can’t say that there was a certain moment in my life when photography suddenly became my passion. Rather, it was a slow process during which

in certain stages of my life the bug bit me and bit me until it overtook much of my life.

And now, I have in my possession hundreds and hundreds of photographs that I took. I enjoy looking at them and showing some of them to friends and family. However, a relative of mine, El

Paso journalist/author/historian Ray Sanchez, took me aside and told me many of those photographs were so good I should share them with the world. I was surprised at first. I knew nothing about how to put them in front of the public.

Sanchez, my brother in law by marriage, told me about the wonders of the Internet. There, he said, would be a place where I could put my pictures and let the world enjoy them, What’s more, he said he would help me do it.

It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

But let me give you some background on myself. Like I said at the start, it all started with a little box camera When I was a little tyke, my mother loved to photograph her friends, family and, especially, her children. I still remember her cradling that Kodak box camera with great contentment. Several years ago my siblings and I received an album of 2 by 4 black and white pictures. They were a pictorial collection of our childhood. I still treasure the gift.

Tragically, in 1944 in El Paso, Texas, a week before he was scheduled to go overseas, my father, Eugene Lopez, was electrocuted. As a welder in the Army his assignment for the day was to work inside a train locomotive. Apparently, according to one military publication, the welding torch accidently touched an electrical wire. At the time I was two years old.

Now a widow, distraught and unable to find work, my mother, Francisca Lopez, decided to move us to East Los Angeles where family there could help her.

My brother and two sisters settled into our new surroundings quite easily. Finding work and now more at ease, my mother discovered photographing family and friends as a great distraction from her problems. So she could be in pictures, I found myself being her assistant.

As time went on I found that imagery captivated me every time I held the camera. I would borrow her “precious,” as she called it, box camera and could feel the thrill of transposing an image into something people could see.

Of course the camera’s operation was very basic. One only needed to look down at the view finder, then aim and shoot. Yet, for me it was absolutely a joy! Several times I found myself venturing out to visually transpose my surroundings.

Sadly, as the years passed my interest in photography subsided.

In 1955, due to my grandmother’s illness, we returned to El Paso. My mother was able to find work as a cashier at the Popular Dry Goods Store.

Interestingly, I still made it a point to keep up with the latest information regarding photography by reading magazines and books on the subject.

When I graduated from Cathedral High School in 1961 I saw an uncompromising future because I lacked drive to set goals and to work hard. A year at Texas Western College didn’t improve my posture.

As a desperate measure, in 1962, I decided to venture out to Los Angeles. There I hoped to acquire a career that I once had an interest in. Once arriving, I visited The Art Academy in Pasadena, California. A portfolio was requested, of which I did not have. As a starter, I bought a twin lens Rolleifex for $100 and registered for photography classes at a local community center. Meanwhile, I worked in an upholstery factory. Today, I give much credit to the instructor at the academy for teaching me the basic art and techniques of photography.

One day a renowned Hollywood photographer, whose name I am unable to recall, was our guest. He presented spectacular images of Marilyn Monroe. He taught us some of the lighting techniques of portrait photography. I implemented some of his techniques whenever possible. As I tried these methods and tried others I gradually discovered that photography was becoming very challenging. Lighting, as I discovered, is the principal focus to photography.

In 1964 my mother became ill so as a result I returned to El Paso. A short time after arriving, I was able to work as a civilian jail guard with the El Paso Police Department.

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By this time I had a greater interest in photography and wished to delve more into it.

Studios here and in Lo Angeles were not willing to hire me since I lacked experience. So, as a result, to gain some, I did my first wedding – for free.

Once I got my feet wet in weddings, my Saturdays became matrimonial ceremonies in film.

It wasn’t long before I started doing portraits and portfolios. A Nikon F2 was my backup for my main camera, Mamiya RB67. Both film cameras were amazing!

In May of 1974 I received my Education Degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Andress High School was my first place of employment. By that time I was married to Martha De La Rosa and had a five year old daughter named Madeline.

But photography was still my cohort and weddings were still my forte. However, landscapes became my primary interest. In 1976 after viewing my portfolio, Jim McBride asked if I would consider working part time for his studio. After two years as a part timer I agreed to work full time for him. By this time with this experience, my intentions were to open my own studio. However, money, two more children and again with a shaky confidence I decided against it. Jim McBride was another contributor to enhancing my skills and for that I also thank him.

Later, in 1983, for financial reasons I acquired a Master’s Degree in Education. As a busy school administrator I found photography to be a great escape. I continued to read and share ideas with photographers in the area.

A major photographic recognition came about one day when a representative of Vivid Photo Lab, located in Tennessee, called. He informed me that a wedding portrait I had taken was to be viewed nationally. Needless to say I was thrilled! This portrait was taken in my makeshift studio located in my living room. The portrait was also exhibited in the White House Department store in downtown El Paso. As a trade-off the manager allowed me to show this portrait in her store so long as I would

take pictures of her wedding dresses. Several weddings were derived from this agreement.

Speaking of weddings, I can recall a very eventful and memorable one. My Mamiya RB67 was rather heavy but it produced impeccable imagery. A great portion of weddings I took were taken with this camera.

After a church ceremony and reception at weddings an evening dance is held. By the time the dance stars, it’s been a long and trying day and demands from all parties are exhausting.

At this particular dance, I meandered as requested very cautiously through the crowd of dancers, shooting one candid shot after another. Suddenly, and very unexpectedly, a very intoxicated woman abruptly yanked me by the arm, nearly knocking me and my camera to the floor. She demanded a “piktur” of her family. For assistance I raised my arm, a sign for bride or groom to come to my rescue. Pacifying my assailant, I pushed the flash button, left her group and pleaded with the bridal couple to keep her in check.

At another wedding, it seemed like I was in the front row for “Friday Night Fights.” It was a family reunion brawl. My departure was very swift.

Financially, I received half of the agreed amount. A month later the couple divorced.

As of today, I have much respect for wedding photographers. It is a job that takes much patience, involves hard work and as I have described, takes a great deal of tolerance.

In September of 2012, there was great anticipation in my family for a trip to Europe. I looked forward to it not only for its beauty but the potential photographic splendor that I foresaw.

I was extremely pleased with the pictorial results. I felt blessed not only to have visited Europe but also to have the capability to record its beauty, which is now in Facebook and in Twitter. These were taken by my digital Nikon D70s with an accessory of lenses. What an unbelievable innovation.

This introduction cannot be written without recognizing those who contributed to my passion.

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My mother’s love for recording her family and her children became the spark that motivated my photographic interest. The album that she gave me rekindled memories of true contentment but most importantly it brought to light her unselfish love.

My wife, Marty, is an unbelievable gem.

Never did she refuse the photography purchases that I made. Working for McBride studio full time and initiating a business in photography was never opposed by her. I had her total support! She never attempted to shatter my dream and in fact she would encourage me to pursue it. Her faith in me was

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unbelievable. I find myself so blessed and so eternally grateful to have this rare jewel in my life.

Finally, I give a special thanks to Ray Sanchez, who initiated the publication of this book.

His invitation to create a pictorial text was a dream fulfilled. He appreciated my work and felt that it should be recognized.

A collection of some of my favorite photographs follow, denoted where they were taken by a headline at the top of each section. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.

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El Paso. Texas Gardner Hotel in El Paso

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Vietnam Vet Reflects on His Past Missions…at the El Paso Airshow

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Sunbowl Dancers at UTEP Football Stadium

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Wet and Wild Balloon Fest in Anthony, Texas

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Pinata Store on Alameda St.

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Sunset Grocery Store

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South El Paso Barrio

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Juarez Ballerinas…Altered

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Grocery Store in Vinton, Texas

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Organ Mountains in Las Cruces, New Mexico

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Dripping Springs in Las Cruces, New Mexico

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Organ Mountains

Old Mesilla in Las Cruces, New Mexico

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Nutcracker Suite in Vinton, New Mexico

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Following Images are from Oceanside, California

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Images of Bacelona, Spain 2012

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Caribbean Ocean

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France’s Beachfront in Monaco

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Sail Boat on the Tyrrhenian Sea

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More Ships docked in Monaco

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Church in France

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Image of Italy

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Images of Toncones, Mexico

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Portrait,Wedding and Still Photography

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Engagement Picture

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My daughter: Madeline Lopez Jaime

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Jennifer Spencer

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Kissed From a Barcelona Beatuy

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Coronado Island by the Beach Front

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Coronado Hotel in Coronado Island, Ca.

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Coronado Island Shoreline

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San Diego in the Background

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Chalk Artist in Little Italy, California within San Diego

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Following images of Stahmann Farms, N.M..

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Mountains in Texas Canyon, Arizona

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Brides Wedding Portraits

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This image was nationally recognized, viewed and sponsored by Vivid Labs, Incorporated. Â

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White Sands, New Mexico, at Dusk

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White Sands, New Mexico

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Bridge in Dallas, Texas

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Dripping Springs, Las Cruces, New Mexico

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Mountain views from the Tramway in Albuquerque, N.M.

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North Coast Village in Oceanside, Caifornia

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Sunlight Shadows (grandkids Maya and Ernie) 2013

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