Missions, Mariachis and Spanish Dancers

Wow!  I just got back from a really great day trip to San Antonio (photo gallery link).  A very cool photographer friend joined me in the fun.  We had a loose plan to visit the missions, the market and possibly the Riverwalk and Tea Gardens.  

We started out the day a little slow...visiting Mission Concepcion first.  Church services were just beginning, so we only were able to see the outside of the church.  It was impressive, but a tad monochrome.  I ended up with some decent shots of it, though.  I tried a framing technique with the ironwork on the well in front of the church - and it seemed to make for a cool effect.   We really lucked out, as it was cloudy most of the morning.  If it hadn't been overcast, we would have been shooting straight into the morning sun, which would have been a huge challenge.

We soon headed over to Mission San Jose.  We knew that a mariachi band would be playing at the noon church services, and we wanted to try to get some candid shots of them beforehand.  We arrived a bit early, so we were able to spend some time photographing the grounds.  Mission San Jose is much larger than Concepcion and the grounds were more well-kept...with a beautiful garden, etc.  We also found a cool outdoor walkway with repeating arches...that would be a great area to shoot portraits in...lots of great light and shadows.  

The mariachi band arrived quite early for the services, so we had the opporunity to take quite a few candid shots.  We chatted with them and they were all very nice.  They told us that they had just been featured on Good Morning America a few days ago.  Wish I would have caught that show.  A couple of members of the band humored us by posing impromptu for several shots...and we were very grateful.  I had forgotten how nice SA folks are...so laid back and easygoing.  They asked us if were were taking photos for a magazine, and we were flattered that they thought we were of that caliber.  We told them that were just taking photos for fun....no, we weren't "on assignment".

After we took pics inside the church, we headed to the Market.  Ate at Mi Tierra - great food!  Living in Austin, I don't eat authentic Mexican food very often...and it was really yummy!  After eating, we headed over to what we thought was the produce/farmer's market section...and we happened upon a group of Spanish dancers.  Talk about being in the right place at the right time...that's really what it's all about.  We stayed for the performance...however, they were moving so fast and the lighting wasn't great (no flash with me)...so it was hard to freeze the action.  I ended up with a few decent shots, though.  We never found the produce...I'm guessing that the farmer's market is only out once per week, and not on Sundays.   

After the performance, we walked around the market for a bit, then we headed over to the Japanese Tea Gardens.  I only took a couple of shots there, as the sun was very high and the lighting was contrasty...and it was very hot.  I love the gardens, though...they are a perfect setting for photo shoots.  

I had a fun time with my friend, she is also a freelance photographer.  We commiserated about marketing ideas, technical stuff, etc. all day.  Both of us were saying that we usually bore others with our "photography speak"...it was fun to have someone to talk to who is as excited about it as me.  I think she will be a fun photo buddy in the future, we talked about going on more field trips in the coming months.  

All in all, it was a fabulous day.  We met some really nice people and we happened upon some great photo-ops.  Plus, it was great that the clouds cooperated for the first half of the day.  I need to plan another field trip soon!