The view from my perch in a Camarote at Che Lagarto Hostel
Carnival in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil: A Photo Essay
It seems that during the week of Carnival “normal” finds a hiding place giving way to the colouful, the interesting and the down right crazy. However, it is a beautiful thing. The openness that is displayed during Brazilian Carnival really is what makes it such a great experience. It seems that the vast majority of people manage to set aside their preconceived stereotypes and simply settle in to enjoy the experience of being at Carnival.
The first couple of days of carnival I left my big camera in my apartment. Any time I even pulled out my small point and shoot camera people around me would warn me to be careful. On two separate occasions I had a hand dip into my empty pockets, so the risk was obviously real. On the final night of carnival, however, I came to the realization that I could not come to an event like this and not document it. In the end, with my DSLR and my huge 70-200mm lens I found that not only did I feel safe on the streets, but that people would open up to me because of it, give me extra space and sort of protect me on the side. Thankfully, I was able to complete a task I had always wanted to do, I managed to capture the people of carnival.
Lady selling chicken chunks on a stick. I have to say: yum.
One of the better performers of the night for sure. This is Parangole, who is an absolute legend in Brazil.
A police officer moving through the crowds. I lost the ability to do manual imagery on my camera in Brazil. So I had to play with some creative photos at Carnival.
All types come out for carnival. It’s one of the wildly fun/scary things about Carnival. Literally anything goes.
One of my favourite people in carnival, a beer vendor. I was doing photography for a documentary about those in the informal economy during the events in Salvador. Hence the focus on the vendor.
One of the few performers who didn’t have a bloco with her, a huge bonus in my opinion. I’m not sure I really understand the appeal of blocos.
Maybe not the type of event I would bring my kid to, but cute none the less. Note: if you do bring a child to carnival, please give them earplugs or noise cancelling headphones.
One of the more popular Brazilian artists, Jammil. I’ve heard people refer to him as the Brazilian Ricky Martin… with talent. Jammil definitely had the biggest bloco.
You can’t go to carnival unless you’re dressed up.
On of my favourite photos of carnival. The trucks push through the crowds carrying the entertainment. The people in the coloured shirts are in the blocos. The price to walk beside the truck? Around 200-300 Dollars. This is the bloco from Jammil. I’m just counting the money by counting the people. Wow.
The King has arrived at Carnival. If I’m being honest, I have no idea who this is.
The police standing guard as the mayhem runs rampant around them. There is definitely a heavy police presence at carnival in Salvador, but maybe not as much as I expected.
It’s not only Brazilian acts at Carnival. Here DJ David Guetta preforms, Will.I.am also preformed this night.
If I would have know crowns were in this year I would have packed one.
The police line up on the streets in lines of four, they mean business.
It’s great to be able to get so close to the acts. Anyone can get this close, regardless of where you are: I was, however, in a camarote. Again, this is Parangole.
What’s next?
The carnival stuff isn’t over yet, however I am going to get a little bit serious about it in my next article. On Wednesday I will be posing an article about Race and Segregation during Carnival.
