Tucson Vatos Chollo's Photographed by A. T. Willett Photographer Tucson Arizona Photographer in 1983 in a South Tucson Barrio

Vatos Chollo"s Chollas South Tucson gang members 1983 on West 29th Street.

Caption: Background: In 1983 I was trying to get my first job as a photographer, a job at the Tucson Citizen was up for grabs to whoever could prove they had what it takes to become a newspaper photojournalist. I was taking a photojournalism class at Pima College and trying to put together my first portfolio. I'd always loved this mural at the Ray and Son's Tire shop on west 29th street and would drive down the street to see if there were any other elements to make the mural a background for a cool image. While driving down West 29th. street one day in February of 1983 I could see this photograph coming together. These two Vato's were walking down the street toward this mural painted by Luis G. Mena in 1979.
A straight bladed knife: This was before most gang members carried guns, see the knife in the one Vato's belt? Street fighting was dirty you used your muscles speed and a strait bladed knife to survive in those days. I noticed the knife while framing the shot through my camera view finder. I was thinking to myself that is not a pocket knife it is not a knife you use for whittling that was a stabbing knife, had I asked the wrong people to pose for the shot? The one Vato had a beer at 10 am the other appeared to be in training, he was drinking a Pepsi and you could see a package of Bubble Yum chewing gum in his pocket, the other wearing the classic Arizona T-shirt . Could I have planed it any better, no way. They were just walking down their street, they had a identity a look which identifies their culture their live and this time. I feel lucky to have been able to meet and photograph them that day.

8" by 10" Print FF $300

11" by 14" Print FF LTD ED $495

16" by 20" Print FF LTD ED $675

Details: FF LTD ED Printed Full Frame Signed Limited edition (limited to 50)
Ultimate Reproduction: For museums, private collectors and corporate archives. 39 by 37 inch with sprocket holes (see lightning images, singed Limited Edition Fuji Crystal Archive Print. Image printed full frame. This Edition limited to 10 remastered prints, plus 2 artist proofs.

Priced according to edition: Number 1- $1800; Numbers 2 through 4 - $2200; Numbers 5 through 8 - $2500; Numbers 9 and 10 (TBA). Custom order only. Allow 4 weeks production time. Crating and shipping depends on location. Local Pick up Free. Commercial display available for an additional fee (contact for pricing). atw@atwillett.com Phone (520)322-9750

Gang Pride: The one Vato wanted me to get a shot of the tattoo on his back, he was very proud, he said she protects me from danger. He wanted to show me his scars from being stabbed in a local gang fight and told me the story of each scar on his body. It is strange the bond of trust that begins when you ask someone to photograph them, most people are honored when they realize you think they a important enough to be imoratalized in a photograph.
Questions Today: I feel very fortunate to have made this image which depicts a life I did not live, but this is still a part of the Tucson I know. So much has changed in Tucson in 19 years. This mural was painted over years ago. sometimes I wonder about these guys, are they still alive? Do they have a family, are they in prison, were they killed in some sort of gang related murder?
Update: I have recently learned one of these guys was shot and killed in a drive by shooting about three months after I took this picture. I'm trying to track down the other one and when I can get some information or names I will update this page. If you knew either of these Vatos and their story, send me an Email.

8" by 10" Print FF $300

11" by 14" Print FF LTD ED $495

16" by 20" Print FF LTD ED $675

Our Fuji Crystal Archive Prints Created to meet or exceed the highest Fine art standards for photographic printing. These prints are produced from highly detailed high resolution RGB digital files, and printed to exacting standards on Fuji Crystal Archive Photographic paper. It delivers superb colors and pure whites with exceptional color image stability and sharpness. Fuji Crystal Archive offers long-term dye stability, which leads to an increase in print longevity, greater than 60 years under normal viewing conditions and more than doulble that when stored in an archival method.

Advance payment in Full is required. Prints take 7 to ten days once your payment is received. These prints are for personal display use only. Locations outside the USA pay actual shipping charges. Our 8 by 10 prints are signed and all other sizes are signed limited editions by the original photographer.
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Updated May 20, 2008 3:47 PM
All the images and the design of these pages are protected by the copyright laws of the United States Copyright Office. These images can not be used in any way without the express written permission of A.T. Willett Unauthorized uses will penalized to the fullest extent of the law.
©A.T. Willett 2005