A photographer captures the magic of a Uruguayan carnival parade in light and movement

Associated Press

28-02-2025

MONTEVIEDO, Uruguay (AP) — Matilde Campodonico is a photographer based in Montevideo, Uruguay, who has been working for The Associated Press as a contractor for more than 20 years.
Here is what Campodonico had to say about this extraordinary photo.
Why this photo?
This year, instead of going to the traditional Carnival parades, I decided to attend a small parade in a neighborhood of Montevideo.
During the 40 days of Carnival in Uruguay, the city organizes neighborhood corsos (carnival parades). They simply block off four or five blocks of a street, hang some decorative lights, and people come out to celebrate.
That's why this photo stands out: It captures a small event, less illuminated, less professional, but filled with people who bring their folding chairs to their doorsteps to have fun and dance; grandparents with their grandchildren sitting in front of their houses.
I know that at AP, my Carnival coverage will be featured alongside that of the entire region, and it is important to highlight what makes Uruguay's Carnival unique compared to other countries. Candombe, with its three drums, is one of those distinct elements.
How I made this photo
This photo was taken with a Sony A1 camera and a 35mm f/1.4 lens - a small camera with a highly luminous lens. Choosing the right gear is crucial for this type of coverage, because in these smaller parades, beyond some decorative lights, the only illumination comes from the street itself. That makes it challenging to work with anything other than fast lenses. For these events, which feel almost like family gatherings, I try to be as discreet as possible, using unobtrusive lenses and minimizing the presence of a professional photographer at work and allowing myself to be surprised by whatever unfolds.
For me, among all the Carnival groups, the comparsas (groups of singers) that perform candombe are the most interesting both visually and sonically. The candombe music has African roots but was developed in Uruguay and, for these reasons, it is unique in the region. There are usually dozens of drummers, and these human ensembles create a deeply moving experience in both sound and image. In this case, I was especially drawn to the colors and patterns of the costumes and drums - everything seemed to glow in shades of red.
Why this photo works
I think the photo works because there's something truly special in the combination of movement and color. The moment I took it I already knew something magical was happening. It always emerges like that - there's an instant when something catches your eye, you start moving closer and, at some point, you just know that what you're seeing is different from everything else.
The little light in the scene seemed to reflect off the red of the costumes, making everything look red - the drummers' skin, even the air itself. I also loved that the drums were painted. I've spent a lot of time thinking about color. Black and white photography is beautiful, but it has a certain simplicity. Making things work in color is much more complex—it adds another layer of meaning. And when it does work, it feels like a kind of victory.