2019: My Photography Year in Review

2019 has been a good year for my photography effort.  I thought I'd share a few of my images from this year.  All are from Guatemala in the summer of 2019.

A woman on the steps of the Church of Santo Tomas in Chichicastenango.  (You can click on images for a larger view.  If on a PC, hit ESC to return to the blog.)

The Mermaid Fountain in Antigua, Guatemala.

Boy with livestock in the market of San Francisco El Alto.

A boy with pigs in the market of San Francisco El Alto.

A girl enjoys some snacks in the animal market of San Francisco El Alto.

A young woman pays for a purchase in the market of San Francisco El Alto.

Mayan priest conducting a cleansing ceremony in the village of Zunil.

A child carried on his mother's back on the market of Zunil.

Rambutan fruit in the market.

Woman with curlers in Guatemala City.

Also, my black and white images of Guatemala over the years was featured in Dohdo Magazine.

Dodho is an online and print magazine that showcases the best photographers in the world.  Therefore, I was pleased to learn that the publication has decided to feature my photographs of Guatemala on its website.

You can find the article and photographs at:  https://www.dodho.com/guatemala-by-tom-bell/

The online magazine is at:  https://www.dodho.com/ 

You can view my fine art photography website at:  www.tombellart.com


This blog has been named one of the top 75 fine art photography blogs on the planet.

Worshipping the Maximon

There is a mysterious idol called the Maximon (pronounced maa-shee-MOHn) that resides in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala.  Some say a representation of St. Simon, other say one of the Mayan gods, it is worshiped and venerated by many of the indigenous people.  It moves from house to house each year, and is watched over by men who guard its secrets.  Some say a very ancient stone idol hides under the clothing and wooden mask.

When you travel to Santiago Atitlan, it is worth the experience.  They will ask you for a few Quetzales, the Guatemalan currency, to take photographs, but if you get lucky, you may actually see the locals paying homage to the idol, giving it cigars, rum, or money.

This is the Maximon as I saw him this January.  Notice that his wardrobe has totally changed, yet he always wears a necktie.
You can click on the images for a larger view.

This is the Maximon as I saw him in 2010.  The man in the foreground is praying to the idol.

This gentleman took me to the home that houses the Maximon.  The location changes each year.

You can view my photography website at:  tombellart.com.