Guiding Light
Under the expert tutelage of mentor Rinzi Ruiz, Caria Taylor puts light at the center of her storytelling journey
Photo © Caria Taylor | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/2000 sec at F3.2, ISO 400
Photography gives everyone a voice, and a means to express feelings, emotions, and thoughts about the world around us. A mentoring program with Detroit-based Capturing Belief and Fujifilm helped students get their photographic voices heard, but Caria Taylor went further. As an aspiring writer and poet, she wanted to tell her own story about her mentoring experience, making this a truly personal voyage of self-discovery.
“My camera has become the instrument that documents my emotions towards life. A camera makes time move slower, allowing me to reflect. It also provides a space for me to appreciate community and the life that surrounds me. However, I find myself overthinking the importance of my voice.
Photo © Caria Taylor | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/2000 sec at F3.2, ISO 400
Photo © Caria Taylor | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/3200 sec at F4, ISO 1250
Photo © Caria Taylor | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF33mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/3200 sec at F4, ISO 1250
“Growing confident in the story that I want to tell became the highlight of my experience. Being mentored by Rinzi involved listening and taking in the lessons he had to offer – learning that what really makes a good photographer is the story and intention behind the photos. Although we focused on other areas of image making, such as light, aperture, shutter speed and more, I found the glue between them all was the goal of the photographer. FUJIFILM X-T5 became an extension of my intent, allowing me to slow my approach and impart emotion.
“Looking back on the images I made invokes a recollection of memories. It takes me to a time where I felt the most comfortable making images. During our time in New York, Rinzi and I practiced meditation. This exercise allowed us to come into each situation with a clear head and open heart. Instantly, I’d be taken to a place of mindfulness that drew me back to the purpose of our trip. Anxiety gets in the way of me being able to create what makes me happiest. Breathing forces me to ground myself. Once I am able to get over my discomfort, a photo takes me to this place of happiness and the world around me disappears. This state of mind happened several times during our trip. We called it ‘the zone’.
“Finding the light has become the guiding force in my images. Light allows me to play with different emotions. For instance, during our experience, Rinzi and I made images inside Rollercade: a family-owned skating rink in southwest Detroit. The only source of lighting came from the LEDs and the disco balls over head, which allowed us to play around with the ways that light could be used on the model. Rinzi’s perspective on light was different from my own, yet together we found ourselves making images that reflect the moment we shared. The pictures made me feel nostalgic, while capturing the essence of the skating rink. Skating gives me peace of mind similar to photography, it has always been a dream of mine to photograph its energy.
Photo © Caria Taylor | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/1250 sec at F1.6, ISO 1600
“Having this experience has given me the confidence to photograph more at home. I am no longer fearful of using my camera to highlight voices in my community. Being in a position where I can document and uplift Black communities like mine gives me hope to see this representation elsewhere.
“Not having access has often been the barrier in creating this reflection, so I take pride in being able to have this outlook on creating and hope to encourage others. I look forward to a growing relationship with Fujifilm and Rinzi who have encouraged me to take this step.”
Learn more about the project with mentor Rinzi Ruiz on FUJIFILM Exposure Center.
Photo © Caria Taylor | FUJIFILM X-T5 and FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR, 1/1250 sec at F1.6, ISO 1600
Rinzi Ruiz
Rinzi Ruiz is a freelance photographer based in Los Angeles, California. He originally studied graphic design and computer animation, but after 12 years in the industry, he found a passion for photography. He is known for his street and urban photography, focusing on light, shadow, and the human condition. When he's not chasing shadows on the streets, Rinzi photographs families and weddings, connecting to the raw human moments that live in our memories.
Caria Taylor
Caria Taylor is a sophomore at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan studying computer science. Caria grew up in Detroit, raised by her mom and a legacy of strong women. In the past three years, Caria has explored different avenues for her creative voice – photography and poetry – through the visual storytelling program Capturing Belief. She has fallen in love with documentary and street photography, focusing on everyday life and stories around her.
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