Anders in Álamos 2017

Anders Tomlinson taking a photo of Bishop Reyes Cathedral, Álamos, Sonora, México 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa

Time does not stand still but spirits never leave.
It had been twenty-some years since Anders Tomlinson,
cameras in hand, walked the streets of Álamos, Sonora,
México. This collection of photos of a day in the life
of Anders are by Antonio Figueroa.

There have been changes in Álamos since Anders last visited.
Influences and multiple causations included a copper mine to
the northwest and a silver mine to the southeast opening up,
2008’s Hurricane Norbert, La Fuerza del Destino Mexican
telenova-soap opera filmed in Álamos and airing in 2011 and being
designated a Pueblo Magico by the Mexican Government and
tourism industry in 2005. Over the centuries Bishop Reyes
Cathedral, the subject of the above Anders’ photo,has stood tall.
Álamos, like the world, has grown in population and cars.

Anders Tomlinson taking a photo of Bishop Reyes Cathedral, Álamos, Sonora, México 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

Anders attaching a GoPro Camera for timelapse of Álamos.
It is also true that Anders Tomlinson has changed in the two
decades since his last visit in the summer of 1996 to Álamos,
Sonora, México. The biggest change is that he is 21 years older
and these are years when the changes in body and mind are
accelerating. In these years technology has changed influencing
how and what he uses to document. Anders, above, is attaching
a GoPro camera around a tree trunk with a wrap-able mini-tripod.
Colonial Álamos lays before him in all its granduer. This trip
would help Anders understand how much his “eye as the beholder”
has changed. He still approaches projects with the same focus
to document and preserve data for the future to look back on.
He stills marshals inclusiveness overvalue judgements. Álamos
continues on as it always had.

Anders Tomlinson and Tony Estrada at Reynas restaurant in Álamos, Sonora, México, march 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

Anders and Museo director Tony Estrada outside Reyna’s.
Somethings have changed little over the years. Tony Estrada is
still the director of the Museo Costumbrista de Sonora.
He has been in this position for 33 years. He is well-respected
in this capacity and is also known as an artist-sculptor.
He and his wife Lupita, herself an artist, also manage Galeria
Rincon de Arte
in centro Álamos one block south of the Plaza.

Anders Tomlinson walking through Hacienda de los Santos in Álamos, Sonora, México, March 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

Walking through the large gardens of Hacienda de los Santos.
A big change in Centro Álamos is the expansion of
Hacienda de los Santos from one Spanish Colonial mansion
to three Colonial mansions and one sugar mill including
footbridges that cross the Arroyo Escondido and connect
the expansive beautiful garden grounds, restaurants, theater,
and lodging. Anders spent his first two nights here and
presented clips to the Álamos History Association from
Good Morning Álamos, Sonora, México to a standing room
crowd in the wonderful theater. Hacienda de los Santos
provides its guests with a map of the grounds. Anders found this
helpful. The second night at the Hacienda was one of the best
sleeps Anders has had in decades. Learn more about
Hacienda de los Santos
on their website.

"Anders Tomlinson on a hill in Álamos, Sonora, México, 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

To the east are Sierra Madre rising foothills.
Much had happened in Anders’ life since visiting Álamos in
the summer of 1996. He found himself in the Upper Klamath Basin
during the 2001 Klamath Irrigation Project water shutoff that
impacted both Klamath Falls, Oregon and Tulelake, California
and made headlines around the world. This became a period of
intensive film production including a film featuring Jimi
Yamaichi and the Tulelake Internment – Segregation Center.
This would bring an end to Anders’ traveling days and he
returned to San Diego in 2008 where he remained until the
much anticipated 2017 Álamos Sonic Expedition.

Anders Tomlinson takes Rigoberto Grajeda portrait at Casa Serena Vista, 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

Anders and Rigoberto Grajeda do the portrait dance.
There were many questions in Anders’ mind when the 2017
Sonic Expedition
crossed the border into Tijuana on
February 21st and hopped on an overnight bus to Navojoa,
Sonora, México. The major issue would be how well would
Anders travel. Since 2008 the longest trip he had taken was
24 miles and had slept every night in his own bed. His health
required three hours of daily exercise and maintenance and a
restrictive diet. Folks in Álamos helped Anders including Rigo,
seen above, who cooked several meals at Casa Serena Vista
that Anders shared and Rigo also drove him a couple of times
to film the streets and roads of Álamos. With help from Joan
Gould Winderman
, Diane Carpenter, Antonio Figueroa,
Luis Angel, Jim Swickard, Humberto Enríquez and
others Anders was able to accomplish many of 2017 Álamos
Sonic Expeditions’
project goals.

Anders Tomlinson taking photos in Álamos, Sonora, 2017 from the Mirador looking northwest. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

The Mirador’s view is 360 degrees of living Álamos.
The Mirador had changed greatly from Anders’ 1996 summer visit.
It is now a destination unto itself including a restaurant.
A walking path, 360 steps, from downtown brings one to a large
modern observation platform. There is a sidewalk along the road
all the way to the platform. It is an example of the fine rock
work that has been accomplished across Álamos from the
arroyos to El Mirador.

Anders Tomlinson taking a photo at La Aurora, Álamos, Sonora, Mexico, 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

Anders looks at the world in terms of shot scale – macro to micro.
Shooting stills or video for a narrative requires awareness of
shot scale to move the story forward in an entertaining manner.
Most of the gear Anders used on the 2017 Álamos Sonic Expedition
shoot was new, small and produced 5,354 photos, 783 videos and
202 audio recordings. Truly a treasure trove for post-production.

"Anders climbing La Capilla in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico, 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa."

Anders knew this expedition would entail many days of hiking.
What was intended to be a seven day expedition turned into two
weeks. Anders learned that he still had the endurance that he
had twenty years ago. The best purchase he made for the trip
was a pair of Vasquez Talus Pro GTX hiking boots designed
for rock. His feet were always comfortable no matter the conditions.
Happy feet make a happy hiker makes a happy filmmaker.

Anders Tomlinson seeting up cameras in Plaza de los Amas, Álamos, Sonora, México, March 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa

It’s a big world seen through small cameras.
Gopro 4 and Canon Powershot 350 were the smallest cameras that
the 2017 Álamos Sonic Expedition used. Both produce vibrant
and story telling imagery. Except for this image evry photo on
this page was shot with a Canon Powershot 350 – fits in your
pocket and is able to capture photos, videos and audio. The
bendable mini-tripods adapted to a variety of situations.

Anders Tomlinson on Antonio Figueroa's ranch outside Álamos, Sonora, México. Photo by Antonio Figueroa, March 2017.

Filmaking attracts interested bystanders.
Anders is checking settings on his Tascam DR60 digital audio recorder.
It is early morning on Antonio Figueroa’s ranch. Parrots are in the
trees, ants are busy and the dog is keen to find out what this stranger
is doing sitting on the ground dog-like.

Anders Tomlinson walking on dirt road in Álamos, Sonora, México. March 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

A time to contemplate what has and what will.
One of the biggest changes Anders recorded was the growth of
barrios that run up a gently sloping northern valley floor
and reach the start of the foothills. He is thinking as he walks.
The roads are wide with room for off-street parking. A variety
of homes line the streets: small, plain, colorful, large, ornate.
It will be inetersting to see what these neighborhoods grow into
as the decades flip by like pages on a daily calendar.

Anders Tomlinson's reflection seem in a La Aurora window, Álamos, Sonora, México. March 2017. Photo by Antonio Figueroa.

Photography captures what can be seen and at times the surreal.
There Anders is, and then, there he isn’t. All is real: bouganvillea,
security bars, glass, wood window frames. But is that Anders or is
that a reflection of Anders? What is known is this is an Álamos
moment like a sudden passing breeze: here and then gone as reality
and abstraction dance a surreal two-step.

Antonio Figueroa on his ranch in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico - 2017. Photo by Anders Tomlinson

Antonio Figueroa spent three days with working with Anders.
It was a pleasure for Anders to be reunited with Antonio Figueroa
and his family. Antonio took photos, video, recorded audio and
provided a car for many street-road videos. Locations included
his family ranch east of Álamos, the new barrios to the north
and west, Uvalama, La Capilla, La Aurora, Hacienda de los Santos
and the Plaza. As noted, all of the wonderful photos in this article
were taken by Antonio Figueroa except for the above
Anders portrait of Antonio on his ranch.

To see more about Antonio in the Spring and Summer of 1996 visit
Easter Sunday with the Figueroas on their ranch.

 

2017 Álamos Sonic Expedition
Anders Tomlinson arrived in Álamos, Sonora, Mexico on
February 22 and departed on March 6, 2017. Antonio Figueroa,
an Álamos photographer and friend from previous Anders visits
21 years earlier, spent three days with Anders and helped
document life in Álamos with video, photos and audio recordings.
This video are photos by Antonio Figueroa edited by Anders
Tomlinson. Soundtrack by Denver Clay and SonicAtomics.

 

Good Morning Álamos, Sonora, Mexico
The 2017 Álamos Sonic Expedition visited Álamos, Sonora,
México between February 23 and March 6, 2017. This scene includes
time-lapse of receding shadows across the Álamos valley as seen
from the Mirador. Video and editing by Anders Tomlinson.
Music by SonicAtomics/Dig Brothers under the direction
of Denver Clay.

To see more 2017 Álamos, Sonora, México videos

Other 2017  Álamos pages:
Casa Serena Vista
Teresita’s Panadería y Bistro
6 Calle Toluca
Hacienda de los Santos
Anders Álamos youtube channel

©2017 Anders Tomlinson and Antonio Figueroa, all rights reserved.