Congratulations to the April Cuadro Canto champion, Alvin Banzuela. Alvin is a country music lovin' father of three: Joshua, Jacob and
Joelle.  Married to Noemi.  He works in Home Health as an Independent
Physical Therapist Contractor, working the whole area of South Bay.

F21: What can you say about being this month's winner of our photo challenge?
AB: It's an honor!  Everybody raised their level of artistry. It's a great
challenge to keep everybody thinking of ways to improve.

F21: Can you tell us something about your winning photo? What was your inspiration and how did you took it?
AB: When the theme was announced, I knew I wanted to take this shot. My
subject is one of my previous patients. He is a very animated person
when he tells his stories. Looking at him, you cannot help but wonder
why he does the things he does despite of all the medical problems he
has. I personally think, he does it just to get attention. So i
thought, putting it in an image would be very dramatic... perfect for
the monochrome theme. It was shot with available window light on cam
left and a chandelier on cam right which served as the fill.  I used a
24-70 lens at 24mm, 1/80, which was later converted to BW on Photoshop
CS3.
 
F21: How did you started photography? What made you pursue it?
AB: I started with artistic photography when my wife became pregnant with
our first first son. I remember we were in the closet, pitch dark, I
had a Canon P&S to shoot her belly with a flash light for rim light
effect.  About a year or so after my son was born, I was introduced to
this camera guru and hunk of a guy named Anton Francisco who basically
schooled me in the world of Photography.  I've been hooked since.
 
F21: Who are your photography inspirations? Any photographer/s you admire?
AB: I've always admired local talents. Anton Francisco's portraits, Carlo
Cruz's HDR's. Ron Cruz's beauty and fashion images. I cannot forget Manny Librodo, his
images are so simple yet so captivating. I also look at the works of
Kirk Voclain for Seniors and Ryan Brenizer for weddings. I don't know
much of the forefathers of Photography to claim them as my idols. I
have not read enough about them and I am ashamed to say that.

F21: If you were given a chance to shoot someone/ somewhere/ some thing, who/
where/ what would that be?Â
AB: I'd like to be at the Staples Center, shooting at the home locker room
while the Lakers are celebrating the 2010 championship.

F21: Are there areas in photography you want to improve on?
AB: Light use... both natural and artificial.

 
F21: What advice can you give to anyone who's starting photography?
AB: Be patient, be inquisitive, join Frame 21.

F21: Where can we see more samples of your work?
AB: www.alvinbanzuela.com: Thank you Alvin & congratulations!
AB: Thanks!