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Marco Ugarte has been a photographer based in Mexico City for over 30 years. He covered the fireworks festival in nearby Tultepec for just the second time a week ago. Aiming to showcase the artisans' passion and dedication to the dangerous art of making fireworks, Ugarte received training in safety and respect for fireworks before focusing his camera on the exploding tip.
Here's what he said in Spanish about the experience to Deputy Director of Global Photography Enric Marti:
Why this picture
Every year during the first week of March, fireworks artisans in Tultepec, Mexico, honor the patron saint of the poor and the sick, Saint John of God, with a festival in which they light papier-mâché bulls filled with fireworks. fireworks. Fireworks makers look to Saint John of God as a guardian.
This photo is part of a story we did in the nearby village of San Juan, known for its fireworks production. We reached out to the Curtis family and documented how they set up their giant bulls on wooden and metal frames, and how they prepared and mixed gunpowder to make sparklers. Craftsmen work day after day amid flying gunpowder. Accidents are not uncommon. In 2018, a huge and devastating explosion at workshops killed 25 people and injured at least 49 others.
What I tried to show in the story is the makers' devotion to what they love: their art, their patron saint, their ingenuity, their bulls, and the passion of their lives: fireworks. This picture sums it all up in one picture.
How did you make this picture?
First, I spent four days learning about the art and love artisans have for fireworks – and the consequences of an explosion.
We've learned the dangers of accidental explosions — burns and the impact of fireworks on your body or eyes. For protection, we wore earplugs and wet cotton clothes. We were told to cover our eyes with swimming goggles or a gas mask, wear a helmet or hat, and carry a wet towel. In case of an accident: Turn on. Most importantly, carry a small fire extinguisher with you. Always remember that in such dangerous situations, you are not alone, someone will help you, but you should always be ready to help others who need your help.
After going through the safety protocols and preparing for the event, I was ready to take the photo. Camera in hand, with a 16-35mm lens, I set my shutter speed (4000/s), aperture (f5.6), and ISO (2000), and took off running after the paper bull and fireworks to find the light and take a good photo.
Why does the image work?
This image attempts to document in one image a culture deeply rooted in the Mexican tradition of folk art. More than 300 paper bulls and thousands of residents and craftsmen dance in the town square in unison as the giant bulls filled with fireworks release colorful fiery lights, while everyone runs and shouts: “Oli, Oli! Fire, fire! Oli, Oli!” amidst much drinking and lots of Fireworks, the bulls continued to burn until dawn.
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For more AP photography, click here.
