REID S YALOM

Colonial Noir

Photographs from Mexico · Black & White Silver Prints

Colonial Noir

Photographs from Mexico

A highly personal series of images that combine visual elements of Film Noir, Surrealism and Modernism, capturing the essence of Latin American fiction’s magical realism. These images reflect on Mexico’s unique colonial heritage as a mestizo society, and on how this past and the present coexist.

Published as a monograph of 72 duotones · Stanford University Press, 2004
Exhibited at the Scott Nichols Gallery, San Francisco, 2004
Jessup Gallery, Yountville/Napa, 2025
Prices range from $500 to $1,500 · inquire

11th Courtyard, Patzcuaro
11th Courtyard, Patzcuaro
Bird Seller, Mexico DF
Bird Seller, Mexico DF
Night Dreamer, Morelia
Night Dreamer, Morelia
Colonial Noir, San Luis Potosí
Colonial Noir, San Luis Potosí
Siesta, Real de Catorce
Siesta, Real de Catorce
Cisterne Steps, Valladolid
Cisterne Steps, Valladolid
Sumatra Rain, Sumatra
Sumatra Rain, Sumatra
The Watchtower, Campeche
The Watchtower, Campeche
Magic, Patzcuaro
Magic, Patzcuaro
The Reader, Merida
The Reader, Merida
Snow Cone Vendor, Chiapa de Corzo
Snow Cone Vendor, Chiapa de Corzo
Old Friends, Guanajuato
Old Friends, Guanajuato

About This Portfolio

Colonial Noir was published as a monograph of 72 duotones by Stanford University Press in 2004. Copies of the book are available, as well as a special edition housed in a custom cloth-bound case that includes two original signed silver prints.

All images were taken with 120mm or 4×5 film and printed on primarily semi-matte neutral or warm toned paper. All negatives and prints are hand developed and printed by the artist, and are archival and selenium toned. Most prints were printed within a year or two of their capture date.

Almost all prints are available at 16×20 (exhibition size) as well as 11×14. As was the standard at the time, most prints were editioned at 30 or 45; as the artist has finished with silver/darkroom printing, each print is being re-editioned to the actual number made — between 6 and 20 prints — and no further silver prints will be made from these negatives.

All images are available for purchase · prices range from $500 to $1,500 depending on size and edition · inquire or call 415-509-5388
The book is available from the author for $40

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