Gallery of Light and Shadow

    From the moment I first met Javier Alarcon 5 years ago he has been one of my favorite subjects. Strictly on a photographic basis, his regalia is fascinating. Each time I look at one of his images I see ornaments and colors I had not seen before.

    This photograph of Cherokee dancers was taken during the opening ceremony for the Trade Days Festival on Snake Mt. in 1999.

    All the way from the mountains in South America near Machu Picchu to the shores of Hungry Mother Lake near Marion Virginia came a group called "Runa Pancha." Their name means "Real Incas" and their instruments date back many hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Listening to them with the lake and forest as a backdrop I knew I was in the Creator's Grand Cathedral.

    This photograph which we use as part of our header logo for Earthdancer was taken the first time I attended the opening ceremony for Trade Days several years ago. I was hooked and have been returning each year. The warrior's name is Casey Cooper and I have an old address and have attempted to contact him with no avail. I have copies of some of the photographs for him and If anyone knows his current address please email me at: {bill@earthdancer.org}

    This is a time-exposure (relative to the motion of the subject) which resulted in one of my favorite blurred images. Indeed it is a dancing spirit.

    Felipe Cortez Sarabia came with Javier Alarcon to Trade Days in 1999. Javier introduced him as 'the only man in Cancun who speaks no english.' Despite the language barrier, Felipe and I became good friends and I hope to cross paths with him down the road.

    Casey Cooper, once again, and another favorite from my first trip to Trade.

    This image was truly a gift from the Creator as all of my images are. I was given a gift of seeing and I have always tried to use it correctly and honor those I photograph.

    Javier Alarcon with the Maccaw feather headdress he has earned with many years of study and devotion.