Our Photographer of the Week - Luzma Mantano

A late bloomer in the world of amateur street photography

As a young girl I did not own a camera. In my teen years, mom and us siblings carried an old, cheap kodak camera. We rarely developed the film: it was expensive at the time. As an adult, I had a basic point and shoot Sony camera. Thus photography was out of bounds. I did not have the time, nor the equipment or the requisite knowledge and skills. After retirement, I’ve had an on-going love affair with amateur photography. I still lack the skills and good equipment. All I have is emotion.

Luzma Montano - From the Istanbul Collection

This series of thematic selections reveal my preference to aim the lens at people and/in their environments as I see it, as it is happening. Hence, photos may not have a well-studied composition or other components of a masterful photograph, just candid moments and sometimes magnificent landscapes.

Views from inside

Looking through the windows or openings of old and new, built or natural environments and structures, I imagine what people of past eras looked at, and how their habitat and scenes may have been transformed.


Photos: Views from the citadel in Alexandria, Egypt; mud house in Ait Benhaddu Kasbah in Morocco; the magnificent window art of Istanbul’s landmarks; the view from inside of xUNICEFers linking arms at the entrance of the Selim Caravanserai, the shelter for caravans travelling through the Selim Pass along the ancient Silk Road; and photos from Seoul and Bagan.

Bridges, tunnels and alleys

Connecting people is their raison d'être. They are the palpitating circulatory system of human settlements. From the sturdy bamboo bridges in Luang Prabang to the worldly NYC bridges, they are formidable pieces of art and utilitarian engineering.

The mystery of old alleys and tunnels, both in ancient historic places as well as in modern-day cities is appealing to me. Their practical suspending “connective” link is oftentimes adorned with amazing artistry.

Landscapes and Seascapes

Natural landscapes and seascapes fill my senses. I never have enough of it.

Preserved landscapes, as in national parks, make me grateful to those caring for, and saving them for everybody to enjoy and appreciate Earth’s legacy.

Streets, People and Communities

We learn from people and communities as they go about their daily lives or visiting from elsewhere. From empty streets to crowded ones, streets are like books about their communities within. They encapsulate the lives of people choosing to leave together and those adventurers lured by their history and ambience.

Luzma, July 11, 2021


Below is a slideshow.  Be patient, as the first slide may take time to load.