Mexico City & Tulum

Photojournal

In 2019 my wife and I went to Mexico City to visit friends. We returned home with a new favourite city. I documented some of my favourite sites and things with my Minolta SR-T 101, and a bag full of Kodak Ultra Max 400 in this photojournal. I chose this Kodak film because of the rich colours, hopefully, equal to the vibrance of Mexican culture. Below are some select shots.

Native Aztecs performing ceremonial dance outside Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, shot on 35mm film

Native Aztecs performing ceremonial dance outside Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, shot on 35mm film. Amazing feather headdresses.

People leaving Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral shot through the railings by Nick Barry 35mm film.

A cat sleeps among the cacti, in the cactus garden in the center of the National Palace, Mexico City. By Nick Barry

Beautiful woman looking up in front of a wall of cacti, Mexico City. By Nick Barry

A shoe shiner shines a police officers shoes as he talks on his mobile phone in Mexico City. By Nick Barry

Man playing a music box outside The Metropolitan Cathedral, Mexico City. By Nick Barry

An old man with a cane walks by an abundance of balloons. Mexico City. By Nick Barry

Mexico City was rich in inspiration and it can be found everywhere. Lettering abundant in character, illustrations full of personality, sculptures iconic yet ancient, and decor eclectic and stunning. When we had downtime, for example, in a hammock on a beach in Tulum, I sketched some of my favourite things I’d seen from pictures on my phone.

Beautiful lady standing in front of beautiful hand lettered shop fronts, Mexico City. By Nick Barry 35mm film

An old but beautiful church tower in the Coyoacán district of Mexico City. Photographer Nick Barry

Mexico City is without a doubt the most colourful place I’ve ever been to. The colour gives the city a vibrance and energy that I haven’t felt elsewhere.

A shiny red Volkswagen Beetle, or bug, in front of some food stands and grey apartment buildings. Mexico City. Photographer Nick Barry.

The rear of a large teal rusty classic American muscle car. Mexico City. Photographer Nick Barry

An old lady outside standing in the doorway of an apartment. The paint is peeling off the walls. 35mm film shot by Nick Barry in Mexico City

Paper mache sculptures or parade floats brightly painted to represent alebrijes. The spiritual animals of the afterlife. Mexico City. Photographer Nick Barry

Jugo de Agua. A man behind the counter in front of a wall of fruit in a juice or smoothie store. Mexico City 35mm film. Photographed by Nick Barry

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Frida Kahlo and Diego Riveras studio photographer through two tall cacti. 35mm film. Mexico City. Photographer Nick Barry

We made sure to visit Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s home/studio. A purpose-built piece of architecture designed by Juan O’Gorman. It’s equal parts function as it is beauty.

Pigments, paints, brushes and a palette. Inside the studio of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. Mexico City. By Nick Barry, shot on 35mm film.

Beautiful woman in tie-dyed shirt looks thoughtful inside the studio home of Frida Kahlo, Mexico City. By Nick Barry

Tulum

After Mexico City, we flew to the beach for a few days. The antithesis of Mexico City, Tulum felt like your typical paradise but lacked the character of the big city. One thing we wanted to do was go snorkelling off the reef and explore some of the town’s cenotes. I’d brought with me an underwater disposable camera to take, not realising the film expired in 2007.

A female snorkeling, underwater photograph. Cool lighting. Photographer Nick Barry.

A stingray swimming on the bottom of the ocean off a coral reef in Tulum Mexcio. Underwater expired film photograph. Photographer Nick Barry

Two people snorkeling, underwater photograph. In Tulum off a coral reef. Old expired 35mm film.

Underwater photograph snorkeling in Tulum Mexico. Photographer Nick Barry