This is the first time, I’m sharing the contact-sheets of how this shot came about. I took this photo with the Fujifilm x100f.
About the photograph
The person you see in the photograph is inhaling something referred to as ‘mona’ or ‘activo’ or PVC cleaner which is a liquid used for cleaning drainpipes.
In Mexico City, you, unfortunately, see a lot of young guys getting high on the streets inhaling this, in order to cope with their reality.
This is a quote from a 15-year-old homeless kid who is addicted to ‘activo’.
“We’ve had men coming into our tents and choosing whomever they want…I have had to do things I never knew existed, that’s where the medicine we inhale really comes in handy.”- Source.
How the photo was shot
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in Mexico City, and I was on my way to the street of Mexico City, to get content for my 365 days of street photography in Mexico.
When I’m doing street photos in Mexico City, I usually go to pretty common areas like Downtown, the subway, markets and so on. And I have mixed feelings photographing people in shitty situations.
I usually don’t photograph people who I think wouldn’t want their photo taken, but I do sometimes take the photo before I ask, and then I show the subject my photograph.
Our interaction
I spotted this guy on my way to the Subway. He was in a big public space, near the Subway station and I white dress.
My eyes caught him and I waited a few seconds before approaching him because I was trying to processes what was going on. It wasn’t until I got very close, that I figured out he was getting high.
The first photo I took, was candid. I got close, we had eye contact and hit the shutter. No questions, no nothing.
After that the first candid street photo I took, I asked if he was okay with it.
He smiled and said yes. It felt like he was glad someone actually paid attention.
Contact-sheets from the short interaction
These are the two following photos I took, with his permission afterward. I showed him all of the photos after and he was thrilled with it.
Contact Sheets
These photos are shot with my favorite camera for street photos: The Fujifilm x100f.
If you want to see how I do street photography, check out this video
See my gallery of street portraits, in color and in black and white.
Check out my buyers guide for digital cameras.
- Small Cameras you can fit in your pocket.
- Street Photography Cameras (Fuji x100f & Ricoh GR II)
- Travel Cameras for a road trip
- Cheap & Affordable Cameras
I hope you enjoyed the behind the scene of my street photos and contact sheets.