Phil Decker

Kanna Murashige

About Phil Decker

He was born in Maryland, MA. He studied at the International Center of

Photography in 1984, in the first year of ICP's Documentary Photography program.

While He was at ICP in NY city, he created documents on his neighbors in Spanish harlem and Jewish immigrant elders on the Lower East Side.

He went on to publish and exhibit photo documents of Haitian migrant farm workers in his home state of Maryland, and of undocumented Mexican farm workers in Arizona, in their home state of Queretero, Mexico, and crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

He worked for several years for the Foundation of International Community Assistance and helping to create 40 village banks and training other NGOs throughout Mexico in the methodology.

Then worked throughout the 90's as a bilingual middle school teacher in San Diego, California and Salem, Oregon.

Now he is currently the principal of Four Corners Elementary in Salem, Oregon.

His work appears in Newspaper, publications, exhibitions,essays.

He is a documentary photographer, and he takes documenting daily life. He took photos in El Varal, Mexico, Oregon, trace of the Jewish lower east side,

He took documentary. He took them to help educate residents about our mexican neighbors and to honor their contributions to the community. That is his inspiration.

He said “My objective is to contribute to social change through photography, writing and education.” that is his style.

He is gonna be my 3rd host dad. He is elementary school principal and documentary photographer.

Connected Across Borders: El Varal, Mexico and Salem, Oregon

It was taken in Michoacan, Mexico

Lightning is natural. I guess the day this picture was taken was cloudy. Main subject of this picture is the cow looking at the house like “anybody home?” I really like this picture. I think the color, texture make this picture more good. I guess its kind of abstract picture. Photographer took the moment. I guess there are story like I feel home. I chose this picture because this picture is pretty cute picture. I like this one the best.

Anybody home

Traces of the Jewish Lower East Side

It was taken in New york city, USA

I think this is not used lighting, its natural. Main subject of this picture is the man in front of the gate, calling somebody because he is in the middle. I think it used a little bit balance like background symmertry makes this picture more good. Jewish trace I guess they have story. I chose this because I felt NY from that guy talking on the phone, but arch of the gate is looks like Jewish.

Spread over us your shelter of peace

Connected Across Borders: El Varal, Mexico and Salem, Oregon

This picture was taken in Michoacan, Mexico

Lightning is used. I guess it comes from natural right side or front side. Main subject of this picture are 3 kids studying by themselves. I can see it clearly. I think the color and balance made it good. I think its well balanced. I think photography trying to communicate with them. I think its not usual to see wearing those young age kids wearing school uniform and studying by themselves. I chose this picture because I liked three young kids studying by themselves under the good sunny weather, and I can see the life in there. I think this is pretty cute!

Connected Across Borders: El Varal, Mexico and Salem, Oregon

Michoacan , Mexico

I can see the light from front. I think this light is sunrise or sunset. The main subject of this photo is the old women. I can see her expression. I guess role of third was used. And lines. Photographer trying to communicate. I guess there are story, The women looks not happy, like something she worrying or little bit tired and taking break for me. I could see the another women in the back. I chose this picture because I like this emotional picture, and I could see her expression.

In prayer

Connected Across Borders: El Varal, Mexico and Salem, Oregon

Michoacan, Mexico

light comes from natural right side. Main subject of this photo is the women making tortillas. I know she is main Because she is in the middle. I guess it has been used Rule of thirds. But I think I could see the life in that place by seeing the women making tortillas from dough and grilling so that connect to good picture. I selected it because I could see their life in there and its completely different ftom my life, so It was interesting for me.

Maria making tortillas

Hot Tub Torah

April 2010

Light is not coming from anywhere. Main subject is left side branches and write side squirrel. I can say line was used, and rule of third was used. I guess photographer took this picture to take April, Spring. I chose this picture because first I like this picture, I like the squirrel crossing the line, and I feel spring so.

http://www.phildeckerphotos.com/Home.html