OG’s POV

Photography By Oginee Viamontes

Photographer Oginee Viamontes documents the underground punk and Chicano subcultures in Los Angeles, California. Oginee opens up about shooting DIY shows under bridges, being up close and personal , and wanting to preserve what she experiences.

Los Angeles, USA

How did you begin your journey as a photographer?

Put it this way, if I had gotten married and settled for the Life that I had 2 years ago, I probably wouldn't be doing this interview. On this journey, I've lived 2 different lives in one. I spent a good chunk of my youth and early 30's heavily addicted to drugs and alcohol. I'm happy to report I'll be 7 years clean and sober this month. I'm not ashamed or shy away from the subject. It's just a part of my story.

Photography was given to me by a counselor that was at his wits ends with helping me pass school. People, music, human behaviors, and sub cultures have always been interesting to me. In school, I was always observing the "in" and "out" crowds. I was recommended to join the yearbook class after my first semester, and instead of photographing the jocks, and cheerleaders, I'd comb the halls and find all the goth, punk, and skater kids and photograph them candidly. Photography was just a way for me to interact with people I would've never known or met if I wasn't holding a camera. It felt natural to me, and kept me engaged with life. I can easily adapt to most environments and it was just easy once I started to learn how to do it. But that's all I basically had as my experience.

I never completed High School, and by the age of 19 I was a full blown "party kid" dabbling into all sorts of dumb shit. So, photography wasn't pursued but I never stopped taking photos. I basically shot whatever it was that was around me. It was always OG's POV. I've lived a pretty crazy life until 2015, that's when I decided to get sober. Now, let's fast forward to 2020 when Life was good but things changed. I had these plans and designs for getting married and settling down, so when that didn't pan out, I guess in a way I needed to find something that would keep me busy. I didn't want to live in a head space full of insecurities. I can't assume I'd fail, if I never tried. I had been doubting myself and cutting myself short for so long, when someone asked me, "why don't you take photos anymore?" I didn't have an honest answer. It made me think.

It all just aligned around the time of the Lafayette Show in April of 2021. I saw a flyer on Instagram, and my friends' band was playing, it was post pandemic times. I hadn't been to a DIY show since 2014 and it was at a place called Perez Tire Shop. I headed down to Lafayette Park to check it out, not expecting much, let alone 1200+ people. I was in awe, the bands that played were so good, so many different people were all gathered having a good time, it was a subculture explosion. I left that park trying to wrap my head around what I had just seen, and I knew, even as a fan, I was hooked. I wanted to see more and preserve what I was experiencing. I had finally found what I had been wanting to do for so long, and this was the time to do it.

What are some things you have learned along the way?

Oh, boy. Where do I even begin? I will never know or learn everything in just a year and half. I didn't know anything about external flashes, night photos, let alone editing, etc. I knew about shutter speeds, ISO's and f/stops, but never really knew how to fully apply those with the environments that I was in. I just pointed and prayed to get the shot I was hoping to get. In the beginning, I would panic when the sun went down, or when it was a dark venue. I was still shooting on a Nikon D80 with an external flash that was meant for a film Nikon camera, hella janky! So, it never synced right and I'd miss pictures, or they would come out blurry and dark.

I was told early on to never compare myself to anyone. If you'd ask me how I got that shot, I couldn't tell you. Settings change fast depending on the venue and the environment. I learned really quickly to never stay in one spot, combing the best angles. I did also get a lot of tips and suggestions from my photo friends in the scene. Shout out to Ruben aka @sonnenanbeter_ and Raz aka @dancefloormurder. I'm forever grateful to them for answering my questions, and pointing me in the right direction. I've learned so much by just showing up and practicing. Seeing what works and looks good. I will shoot the same band more than a few times, only because every show is different. It's a lot of trial and error, and/or "happy accidents." Sometimes, you're going to have to sweat next to everyone else and bear the chaos if you want to get that shot. I've learned where to stand, and where not to stand. I think my biggest hurdle was FOG MACHINES. lol. Whoever knows me can tell you how much I couldn't stand it in the beginning because I didn't know how to master it. So, I've learned how to work through situations like that. I was at Circus of Disgust 2, and my flash bent and I learned really quickly how to use natural light. The world of editing has saved so many pictures. I'm always open to new suggestions and help from anybody. The main thing I've learned is never doubt yourself, and your capabilities. Fuck what anyone thinks, and have as much fun as you can. These moments will go by so very fast.

Your work focuses on underground punk shows and Chicano subcultures in Los Angeles, California. Why do these scenes inspire you?

Honestly, it just feels natural to me to document and preserve what's around me. I feel like most of the time, I'm documenting what I would already be doing or would be around if I wasn't holding a camera. I'm heavily inspired by people, art, music and culture. I think it's essential for me to go out there and see as much as I can. Punk wasn't "normal" or "cute." It put out this "we don't give a fuck " vibe. It just made sense.

MTV was everything to me growing up in the 80's and 90's. I'll never forget the day I saw Black Flag's "tv party" music video. I didn't know what to call it but I loved it. My mom was STRICT!!! Single parent Latino household. There wasn't a lot I could do. Before the internet, I grew up reading and looking through magazines that I would take out of my brother's room. Thrasher Magazine was my very favorite. The photos to me were insanely good, and they'd also feature bands. So, the punk and skate scene were where I spawned from, even though my mom wouldn't let me skate.

My first musical influences were my older brothers. One introduced heavy metal, and the other was into alternative and hip hop. It was my brother Nino, who I looked up to so much. I wanted to dress like him, and I thought he was just the coolest person. He was an artist, poet, and knew so much about music. It just worked out that way my whole life. I've been heavily influenced by People. A lot of my taste in music and style were these little things I would sponge along the way. Some things came early and some things came later. I remember the day I discovered Estevan Oriol's photography. He'd been around for a while, but for me it wasn't until the early 2000's when I was homeless, living here and there. I was at Goodwill and I saw the LA hands on a t-shirt. I stole it off the rack, and that's when I discovered who he was and his photography. Much like myself, he photographed what was around him at the time. I feel like that's just what I'm doing, in a sense. I'm selective only because I'm not going to show up anywhere that I don't want to be ... lol. So, you're seeing what I've just gravitated towards, and it's because I was influenced in some way. If I'm able to successfully reach and inspire someone through my photographs, then that makes all of this mean so much more.

How would you describe your style? What makes it unique?

I want my photos to give off a nostalgic vibe. Just recently I was told I'm like the modern-day Edward Colver. It sent me to the moon. His work has always been at the top of my list when it comes to influence. So, it made me really happy to hear that I was able to, in some way, recreate that in my work. I've experimented with light trails, which are fun, but for me I just want to create iconic images. The front row was always my favorite spot. It's where the madness and chaos are. That's where I like to stand. So, a lot of my photos are shot from a really up close and personal point of view. I want to capture intimacy from a candid eye perspective. I'll soak up the vibe and energy and it just projects into the camera. I think of myself as an emotional person, so my work is a reflection of that.

Tell the story behind one of your favorite images.

Wow, I have a few. But since I have to pick one, my favorite image would have to be from the Tiny World Film Fest. I shot a photo of Miker, the lead singer from Dead City Punx. I waited very patiently, while dangling from a fence, waiting for Miker to turn around. I took a deep breath and I just snapped it. It was the shot that I showed up to get that night. The timing was just right. There's this spray can on fire, burning into this massive torch, lighting up the chaos of what was behind him. It gave me this renaissance vibe.

From the underground punk and hardcore scenes, which bands are your favorite to photograph and why?

Dead City Punx
Cancer Christ
Hong Kong Fuck You
Gulch
The Runts

GAG
Hot Load
Dime Bag
Clorox Dream
Self-Sabotage
N8noface
Denial of Life

Not only am I a fan, but all these bands, to me, are some of my favorite performers live. I love the music, and most of all the energy their music puts out. I've never been disappointed. Some of my best work was documenting these bands/artists.

Many of your images depict shows that take place under bridges and other DIY spots. What is it like shooting these shows? What are some of your most memorable ones?

I think with DIY shows, there's always the hope it doesn't get shut down before it starts. Shooting these shows are by far my favorite. That's because anything can happen. There's definitely going to be a fire pit, a mosh pit, fireworks, and just a whole lot of mayhem. I of course hope and pray nobody gets hurt, and that it's just an overall success for anyone who plays the gig, and attends it. I've been to shows that end with riot squads, rubber bullets shot at people. I've seen bottles and fireworks thrown at cops. The 6th street bridge is where my hair caught on fire. There are paint cans that light up all around you, and my hair lit up. Thankfully it was just a minor thing. Thank God a homie was near me and put it out. The most memorable shows for me would have to be Lafayette Park, Frogtown Colosseum, and Circus of Disgust.

When shooting portraits, what is your process like? How do you pick your models, locations, concepts, etc?

Usually someone will ask me, or I'll ask someone if I can photograph them. Depending on the person, and what their style is, it just flows on out once I meet them. The location is spontaneous. Usually before I meet someone, I have a few locations I've spotted or had in mind, and we just drive and park. Everything so far has been outdoors; I love to shoot later in the day when the sun isn't brightest. I started to shoot more with film, so I'm always keeping the color pallets in mind, focusing on buildings and areas that pop. I photographed a friend, who had an idea of her drinking a beer, and wanted a close up of the beer pouring out of her mouth. One model came dressed to impress, and just had the look to put her in front of a motorcycle. I'm always open to collabs and suggestions. The models come as they want to be photographed and I'll usually go from there. I overall enjoy meeting new people from all different ethnicities and backgrounds. You don't need to be a model; I love shooting people as themselves. I'm always honored when someone asks me to photograph them. There's a trust that has already been built, and I just want to make people look good.

What's next for you in your photography journey?

So, I definitely want to put out a photobook. I did tell myself I wanted it to be done by the end of the year, but I'm in no rush. I think it's important to keep pushing and building content at my own pace. I hope to keep creating and exhibiting my work. I have a few exhibits coming up this year and next. The goal is to just keep creating and stay inspired no matter what. I'm getting ready to head out on a little tour with The Runts again, and who knows how things will turn out. I just try to live in the moment. I try to remain humble and I am thankful for all the support and love I've gotten since I started this journey. I had no idea it would go this far, and I have no idea how far it will ever go. There's one thing I'm sure I am going to do; have as much fun as possible.