Darren Abate
Darren Abate
Male

San Antonio

Member Since: 3/19/2007
Last Seen: 7/3/2008

http://www.uber.com/darren

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Stump the Shooter
I get a lot of e-mails from amateur and student photographers all over the world, generally looking for advice on becoming a working photographer. I love geeking out about photography, so I thought the subject would make a cool forum topic as well! This is a place for pros and non-pros to mingle and share some knowledge.
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Jun 24, 2008 8:42 AM
Great organized page and photos are awesome. I'd love to get out of bed in the morning and go to an assignment, especially getting to know and experience new things.
Jun 24, 2008 10:01 PM
Thanks! You should issue assignments for yourself; it's a great way to force yourself to shoot new things!
Jun 22, 2008 6:28 AM
Leica M6 with the beautiful 50/1.4 'lux glass I love having mounted on it.
Jun 20, 2008 1:01 PM
Nice page! :)
May 26, 2008 10:19 PM
Darren, thanks for taking the time to come around my page in here and check things out. I really appreciate it! I feel like I'm always learning when I come to your page(s)! This is a good thing! =)

The dates in here seem off somehow, as do the ones on your new frontpage. They're all from 2007? A glitch somehow...?
Apr 21, 2008 7:48 PM
hey cool page. thanks for the add.
be sure to check out my blog
Apr 14, 2008 11:47 PM
I'm so behind! I've got some stuff I just haven't posted. I'll get on it soon though :)
Apr 14, 2008 9:27 AM
So if "The Vendanator" is out of town, you have free time to go shoot....correct?
Apr 14, 2008 7:40 AM
After thoughful consideration and going through all of your shots....we hate you.

...A lot.
Amazing stuff bro. Way to go.
Apr 09, 2008 11:04 AM
Hi Darren

I'm new to Uber from dA and just getting the hang of it. I just wanted to compliment you on your page. I think it's great that you take the time to talk to less experienced shooters and share the love!
You've got some really great pictures and an interesting blog. I look forward to reading and seeing more of your work.
Mark
Mar 29, 2008 1:49 PM
Hey i just went through your photos and you have an awsome collection :D Great work, keep it up.
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Who?!

Gender: Male
Hometown: San Antonio
Current Zip: 78247
High School: Tom C. Clark High School
College: San Antonio College; University of Texas, San Antonio
Tagline: Professional sports and editorial photographer in San Antonio, Texas.
Favorite Bands: Rush, Devo, Gary Numan, and groups of that ilk. I'm also a blues man, particularly pre- and post-war delta blues.
Favorite Films: Clockwork Orange; Bladerunner; Star Wars trilogy; Raiders; Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; 2001; Barry Lyndon; Full Metal Jacket; etc.
Favorite Books: Anything by Hunter S. Thompson
Favorite Video Games: World of Warcraft
Favorite TV Shows: I don't watch much TV that isn't documentaries or [adult swim].
Favorite Hang Outs: That place in my dreams that always has the coolest parties. The ones with the twinkly lights and the snow covered forest.
Favorite Artists: My favorite artist are also personal friends of mine. Graham Toms is an amazing talent everyone should check out. I am also very fond of the work of Virginia Vitamins. You can find her on deviantART.
Affiliations: American Society of Media Photographers; PressPhoto International
Heroes: My parents for doing a perfect job; Hunter S. Thompson for shaking shit up; David Hume Kennerly for turning on the light for me.
5 Items I Can't Live Without: 1. The love of my family 2. a camera with which to document this nutball world 3. my disdain for authority 4. vision 5. music
I Want to Party With: Slurmz McKenzie
Body Type: average
I Am Here For: networking
Ethnicity: white_caucasian
Relationship Status: in_relationship
Religion: none
Into: Photography, cinematography, films, art, computers, and more.
Occupation: Professional Photographer
Philosophy: Be a good person and try to leave a good mark on the world – and THAT'S ALL.
Makes Me Happy: My son's smile; memories of my childhood; the click of a Leica M; making an image that is special to someone; good coffee; the permanent smell of fixer in my guest bathroom; driving a windy road in my Alfa Romeo
Makes Me Sad: Being away from my son; the constant pressure of time; evil people; the blinding veil of religion
Gets Me Hot: Making a good photo
Vices: a cigarette after a good meal; good ale; and some other things...
Current Crush: My Leica
Most Humbling Moment: I am humbled regularly. You should have asked about my most embarrassing moment. Not THAT is a story.
Fantasy: To have the power of invisibility.
Final Words: The minute God crapped out the third caveman, a conspiracy was hatched against one of them. --Hunter Gathers, from The Venture Bros.
Recent Work
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May 11, 2008 8:06 PM  (go back to main view)
Non-Western in the West: Vol. 2 - Chua Bao Quang Temple
A monk drums before services
A monk drums before services
Nothing but photos in this post. Please view them full size.

Here is the next installment in my project to document "non-mainstream" religions here in South Texas. This morning I made some photographs at Chua Bao Quang Buddhist temple in San Antonio.

A monk speaks with temple patrons.
A monk speaks with temple patrons.

A monk rings a bell calling patrons to temple.
A monk rings a bell calling patrons to temple.

A monk speaks with patrons at Chua Bao Quang temple.
A monk speaks with patrons at Chua Bao Quang temple.

Monks walk to prayer.
Monks walk to prayer.

Monks tend to offerings at Chua Bao Quang temple.
Monks tend to offerings at Chua Bao Quang temple.

A young girl plays as a monk speaks with temple patrons.
A young girl plays as a monk speaks with temple patrons.

A man watches as patrons light incense at Chua Bao Quang temple.
A man watches as patrons light incense at Chua Bao Quang temple.

A Buddhist monk (L) and a member of the laity pray at Chua Bao Quang temple
A Buddhist monk (L) and a member of the laity pray at Chua Bao Quang temple

Monks socialize with patrons prior to services
Monks socialize with patrons prior to services

Monks at Chua Bao Quang temple, San Antonio.
Monks at Chua Bao Quang temple, San Antonio.

All photos ©Darren Abate

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Post Tags: religion,  life,  buddhism,  buddhist,  monks,  buddhist monks,  eastern,  vietnamese,  vietnam,  Chua Bao Quang,  san antonio,  texas,  darren abate,  editorial photographer in san antonio, 
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Blog Comments (20):
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Posted by equivoque on May 13, 2008 8:07 PM
the non-western in west theme is great. i really love the b/w!
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 14, 2008 2:21 PM
Thanks! There will be more to come soon.
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Posted by Treamus on May 13, 2008 6:38 AM
Superb work, these images capture their ritual's very well. How are you finding the epson rangefinder, as compared to an M body.
Have you tried to photograph them perform any rituals in public.
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 13, 2008 7:00 AM
Thanks mate! So far I have not found any Buddhist rituals being performed in public. That kind of thing probably happens around the Asian new year, which happened not too long ago, if I'm not mistaken.

I love the little R-D1; it shoots like a dream. What I particularly like about it is the fact that it has a "film" crank like a regular Bessa, which is used solely to cock the shutter. This makes it super quiet to use, way more silent than the Leica M8. My only wish is for the R-D1 to have an updated chip. If I'm not mistaken, it has the same chip as the Nikon D70. Don't quote me on that, though.
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Posted by Chris on May 12, 2008 3:25 PM
amazing photos, mate!

looking forward to more for sure!
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 12, 2008 5:38 PM
Thanks! I'm trying to decide who to photograph next. I may try to write up some text in the mean time, and turn this into an actual story.
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Posted by gONZOm on May 12, 2008 11:32 AM
that frame of the girl is hilarious =P
but appart from that...nice coverage here as well, the first picture is the one i like the most
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 12, 2008 1:32 PM
Thanks mate, that one is one of my faves as well.
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Posted by cassie.a.c... on May 12, 2008 9:15 AM
Great series. Religions are so interesting especially so seemingly displaced. I LOVE the bell-ringing picture!

Any incorruptibles to photograph for the Catholic religion? Just kidding... haha. Probably only funny to me.. now that I think about it.

(p.s. the colors the monks wear are exclusively colors that can be made by the spice saffron - they range from yellow to brown to blood red; I used to have a friend who was a monk when I lived in Madison. I always thought that was interesting.)
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 12, 2008 1:38 PM
Thanks!

I knew that their robes were dyed with saffron, but I didn't know that was the only way those colors can be achieved. Interesting...
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Posted by Mark Taylo... on May 12, 2008 8:50 AM
Darren these are really beautiful pictures, you should be proud. The way you have captured the light is perfect, very ethereal. The bell ringer is a great shot as is the girl running, and the 8th image. It's hard to imagine these were taken in South Texas!
Cheers
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 12, 2008 1:40 PM
Thanks mate. Indeed, part of the scope of the project is to bring interest to the fact that almost everywhere you go, you will find people who are thriving "against the grain," so to speak.
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Posted by flipo on May 12, 2008 8:32 AM
the frame of the young girl is killer !
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 12, 2008 1:45 PM
Thanks! I was about to make a frame of the monk, when I saw her running up in my peripheral vision, so I waited for her to run through the frame. Just luck! ;-)
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Posted by Thorsten O... on May 12, 2008 4:25 AM
I somehow love the interplay around church societies and especially how they exchange with society. You know, in Sri Lanka the locals give supplies to the monasteries and get good karma in exchange. In other times, in other places (as one can read about in "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett), cathedrals became realities through centuries of hard work, donations and minsters and monks' arranging markets. And when the cathedrals were finished they became the place for markets of which the church got percentages. I just think this whole exchange is interesting, not to mention that whenever I hear a young talented voice in some choir, I imagine myself being a prior at some church, and I would imagine getting that voice as part of my church - you know, a star people would travel to hear and who would convey the message of higher spirit.
Anyway, what I really wanted to say was that having these interests, I love to see the pictures of the patrons and the 'inside life' of that religious society. It's great work!
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 12, 2008 1:46 PM
Thanks Thorsten! There is more to come...
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Posted by mrLarios on May 12, 2008 1:18 AM
Wow!! Awesome pix man!!
Long time, no comment as well. Ha!!!
Sorry for the disappearance.
That one photo of the monk and the bell is great. Love the detail!!
Cheers!
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 12, 2008 1:47 PM
Thanks! No worries, I know what it's like to be that busy! We can't always be at the beck and call of uber. ;-)
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Posted by Shane on May 11, 2008 8:07 PM
Wow, Darren... amazing stuff at play here. I've sat for a minute here and tried to think about what it is about monks that seems to make them such an interesting photographic inclusion... and I've come up dry. I don't know what it is, but there *is* something about them, at least for me, that really captures my interest in pictures. I love the colors in the third one the most, even though their vibrant yellow outfits are so engaging... and that shot of the girl running out to play is just amazing! Your shots continue to make me jealous, man!! =)
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Posted by Darren Aba... on May 11, 2008 8:16 PM
Thanks mate. I too am fascinated by monks; their patience and wisdom has always inspired me to seek the same.

Don't be jealous, just keep pointing your camera at people. This is my fifteenth year as a photon addict, and I'm still working on it. If all goes well, I will never stop learning.
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