Leo Mendonca Photography

Great Work! Very powerful observation of the everyday. You are the new Ellito Erwitt, I like the production value of the DVD too.

It was a pleasure to have you in class. Have a great Summer.

Adam Eidelberg - Professor at the New York City International Center of Photography (ICP)

Quote from Gilberto Salvador

"Leo, acabei de dar um giro rapido em seu site, e fiquei muilto bem impressionado pela qualidade e pelo conteudo de suas fotos. Ha um fator de contracenso que elas transmitem e que enriquecem a forma de um olhar critic do objeto em questao, resultando numa concideracao mais profunda sobre os mesmos. Parabens!"

Leo... long time no speak. I'm so happy to have found you on Facebook. I searched for you about a year ago to no avail. I hope you remember me. I was a student of yours at Susquehanna University in 2001/2002. If I remember correctly, Susquehanna had two photo classes... an intro and an "Applied Photography" (or something along those lines) for the more experienced. I had not taken the intro class and was borrowing my father's VERY OLD completely manual Minolta with, I believe, a prime 35mm lens. After some light begging, you agreed to let me into the advanced class without any prior experience... I want to thank you for your decision to give me a chance. That class really shaped me as a person. It's now almost 10 years later and one of my great passions in life is photography. It's not my trade, it's not my profession, but I do enjoy it more than just about anything in life. I find great pleasure in documenting an event or getting a really solid image that accurately captures what it felt like to "be there." There are times when I think back to our classes and I remember something that you said, be it a simple instruction or words of positive encouragement (you were always very complimentary of my "work"). I have to laugh when I think about the tens of thousands of dollars my college education cost and how FEW things I can remember (or care about) from any business classes! I look at things differently. Some people tell me that I am very observant... but I think it's a different way of viewing things and I learned it in your class. I really believe there's a different way to look at the world - and anyone else who doesn't exercise that part of their brain is missing out!

I learn something new about photography every time I shoot... maybe it's something with my camera (I now shoot with a Sony Alpha 700 DSLR)... or maybe it's the way certain lighting situations play a role... or maybe it's to let loose and get comfortable BEHIND the camera. It's been an ongoing journey and an exercise in self education. You get out what you put in. ...but it really started with your class and the positive support you gave me in the early formative years.

I hope you're doing well. I would friend request you, but the option isn't there. I hope we can reconnect. Thanks again for being such an incredible influence on my life, whether you realize it or not.

Best,

Glenn Weinrich