Google your self with a hit

Black Friday filled the street of the fashion district with people searching for barrens. I found myself looking for moments. I ended up getting more than I bargained for.

(Dubbed click to enlarge)

Let me ask you what is possible?

 I love this film it gives every thing such a vintage look. After I shoot the photo of the man with the accordion it appeared to be 60 years old. It was amazing. I started to imagine all the possibilities . I didn't know I could be so inspired by a type of film!

POLAROID 100 CHOCOLATE GIAMBARBA EXPIRED

The City Of Angels / Wet Plate Collodion

  I shot these photos on an amazing day in Los Angeles there was lightning, rainbows every thing was there to make a post card. I looked on facebook later that evening and sure enough there were tones of color photos of rainbows. The colors were very vibrant what you would expect to see with digital photography. The collodion process forces you to look at things differently. With its limitations it also presents possibilities. This is what I came up with from that amazing day I don’t think any one has any photos like this form this day. That’s why I do what I do.

Wet Plate Collodion Bobby and Carolyn

I often say my photos are about me and there is rarely a time when I shoot something just for the sake of taking a photo. I had my camera set up on the corner of 5^th and Main, shooting photos of the buildings and this couple caught my eye. I watched them for hours as I collected my images and absorbed the area. Later in the day my good friend Tait Hawes showed up to check out the wet plate process. Tait is an Art Director over at Vans and we have forged a super solid friendship over the past couple of years working together. He is easily one of the most talented Art Director I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Now that Tait was  around I wanted to shoot some of my favorite stock (people); but after shooting inanimate objects and kind of just working some stuff out in my head, I found myself a little timid. I told Tait I wanted to shoot the couple across the street and with no hesitation he was leading the charge, helping me set up this shot with Bobby and Carolyn Williams. Sometimes you get by with a little help from your friends.  Thanks Homie.

The image captures a very strong connection. This project I am shooting in Downtown Los Angeles is all about connections. The message is that we are all connected in one-way or another. When I observed Bobby and Carolyn they reminded me of my grandparents; (who were together for over 65 years). They stuck together through thick and thin. These days I feel like people just give up on things, especially commitments. If it doesn’t shake out the way we want, we figure we’ll just go out and find something new. This bothers me because I find most of the connections I make with girls end up this way. I guess I’ve been searching for a Bonnie to match my Clyde (a Carolyn for my Bobby). You look at this couple and can see there’s been some hardships; but no matter what they are going to stick it out. This is what unconditional love looks like to me. This is what I seek in my life.

Photo: Bobby and Carolyn Williams (click image to enlarge)

Location: 5th and Main

wet Plate Collodion The Downtown Pirate "Ricky"

 I look at the downtown Pirate as a historic piece of Downtown Los Angeles. He’s been here for many many years.  The pirate seams to be every were if you live in this area you know who he is.  He has a very color full personality every time I see him he make me laugh. Late at night I can her his distinctive Arrrrrr from my window. I feel like this is his way of letting us all know he’s still here holding down the street. The  Pirate is a very important part of this new project I have been working on. The basis of the project is connections. I feel like everyone in DTLA is connected in one way or another. He is the link between skid row and the redeveloped parts of Downtown LA. I shot him, as the Pirate my next step is to shoot him as Ricky. I have invited rick up to my place for time to time so i can get to know him better. There is so much more to him that most people don’t get to see. I plan to go to his place and show the other side of him that is hidden by the Pirate and the arrrrrrr’s. 

Wet Plate Collodion Lauren Graham

 When I opened the bay door to the loading dock behind my building thousands of photos emerged. I had been shooting out of the front side of the PE lofts where I live. I just was not felling it. It didn’t feel like los angles too me. From my loft I can look down onto Los Angeles st  it is amazing. Since the day I moved in I wanted to shoot on this street. A year ago I brought my digital camera down to this street to shoot and didn’t get very good results. I think I just looked like some yuppie trying to exploit people. Yesterday I set up my dark room up on the loading dock that opens up to LA st. The people on the streets accepted it. That camera draws a lot of attention and people just want to get their photo taken by her.

I called my new neighbor Lauren up to see if wanted to shoot at my new studio (Los Angeles st). We ended up getting some beautiful photos. This is going to be where you can find me for the month. I’m so stoked on it. Now that this door has opened I’m going to focus my camera on the people of LA st.

Lauren has a tattoo on her heart that says, “trust for sale”. I was very fascinated by it. I had to get a photo of it.  We started talking about how we wanted to shoot it. I thought it would look funny with her braw on because of where it was placed. I felt like the message had to be a felling of being exposed and vulnerable. So I just asked and she said ya lets do this. We shot here straight up on the street in the daylight.  It needed to be raw and gritty. So I used all my old chemicals and let the wind blow the dirt from the city on to the plate before I exposed it. Its not every day someone is willing to expose their soul for a photo let alone to the world.  She is one of the coolest girls I know. Thank you for these photos.

I did quite get what I was looking for with this image so I stopped shooting after this photo. I need to rethink this one. I am going to try to reshoot this at some point. As far as this image goes I love it.

Photo: Lauren Graham
Location: Los Angeles St LA,Ca

Enabled Project Invitation

This video was shot over 3 years ago when I started the Enabled Project. It is crazy to look back and see how far it has come. This is a message of hope that encourages you to never give up and to always follow your dreams. Even if you can't make it to the art exhibit, I hope this project will still inspire you! Go to: www.enabledproject.com to get inspired!

Down Town, LA _Project 09 #17

The third time is a charm they say. I have shot this photo 3 times now. After the first time I shoot here I was supper stoked on the photo but I felt like it needs some thing more. The first photo is shot with a black sky and the city. My problem is any one could go there and shoot the same exact photo. By being patient and waiting to reshot on a day with weather give this photo a unique signature no one can replicate the cloud in the new photo. The city and the road will be there night after night but the cloud was only there for a half hr. My point is don’t ever settle or sell your self short .If you thing you can do something better then at least try. In life I see people just saying that’s good enough. We should be able to stand tall and say I gave it my all. I don’t want to look back at my like and say I could of tried harder. By then it will be to late.

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My third try and final image#3

My first try image #1

Down Town, LA _Project 09 #16

Samuel Blaire is a home less man I met it front of star bucks He’s was trying to sell us a CD of his music. I was with my friend Jordon and we were in not in the mood to get hit up for money. On our walk there every 10 feet it was you got $1.35 or .25cents ECT it gets old quick. We have to deal with this 24/7 every day .I just started saying do I look like your mom. Samuel was cool he just started paying and we were in awe thinking this guy was no joke. We ended up buying his CD. I let him know I wanted to shoot him for my LA project. He was not really feeling it so I had to sell him on it. The roles had been switched now I wanted something from him. Oh the irony. I won him over and meet him a day later so I could shoot some picks of him. I have a few good ones but I know I have only just started my journey with MR Blair. I want to document his day-to-day life. He lets us know he had a wife and kid that he lives with on the streets under a bridge. He shines shoes in the day and plays music at night to support them. This is an amazing story. If you want to here his music this is the link http://www.myspace.com/samueljblair you will be stoke on it if you like blues.

Down Town, LA _Project 09 #15

I met an amazing artist by chance the other day. It is funny how life works. My new friend Lorenzo Saicido is air brushing a picture on a six by ten foot canvas. This is one of the most impressive pieces I have seen. He has been working on it for a week straight.

Lorenzo is an underground artist from LA. It is just a matter of time before he blows up.
This is a peak at his work. I will show the hole thing when he is done. My friends and i sit around sit day after day in awe watching him create this work of art. It is like watching a modern day Picasso being created. I did not want to show to much because it not done. But I will just wait!!!!