Halloween Is In The Air... or on a sign

Sometimes there are days where I don't see things to photograph, or at least, they aren't obvious. Today however, was not one of those days. As I was taking my daughter and her Grandmother to lunch, I suddenly saw all the Halloween displays and representatives out and about on Ventura Blvd. Saying out loud, "that would be interesting to shoot," I heard from the back seat, "not now Mom." Rachel's familiar tone of voice that rings out from experience in dealing with a long history of trying to curtail my primal urge, which is to stop and take an image. Of course she won this time, but only as long as our lunch lasted and she went off to do her own things, and Grandma was safe at home.
I had to return, although the light, the traffic, and most everything else was different, as I got close to the location, I breathed a sigh of relief, my subject, a guy with a sign trying attract attention for his store, was still there.

This is Daniel Pinto, a brave student from Valley College who needed to find a costume this morning, put it on, and go out and drum up business for Costume Warehouse. He said he didn't want to dress up like a condiment, catsup or mustard, he didn't want to be a hot dog, so he choose a Zoot Suite. He told me he like being outside, that was the best part of the job. Now, he just has to figure out where he's going in life, so he can get through school, and get a better job.
If you see him, say hi! HIs day will go a lot faster.
First, because I wasn't on assignment, and my Holga is painfully slow to aim, I asked him if he wouldn't mind me hanging out for awhile to take a few pictures. He was delighted, and so we talked as I waited for interesting moments. One moment that I didn't get on film was when someone asked him for directions, and the street was right in front of them. Everyone had a good laugh...
Some people misinterpret my compulsive desire, saying that I must think everything is important, and that makes what I shoot valuable. Not, so.
When I stop to take a picture, or go back as the case is today, I am working ideas out in my head, learning how to do it better next time, "just one more," isn't just a pretty quote in the PPAGLA (www.ppagla.org) motto. It runs through our veins. And I will continue to explore this desire, here on this site and with my friends.
Someone once told me "it's the journey." It's true, and I love this journey that I'm on.

CONFESSIONS OF A PRO... YOU DECIDE

I have always felt that photojournalism is a lifestyle. Everyone I know who is in the business keeps strange hours, long hours, hours that are never accounted for. In this business you work until your photos are edited, prepressed and the paper is "put to bed."
I had a day off today, and as always, I never expected anything exciting to happen. I was having fun with my new toy (my Holga) and thinking that I really didn't want to do anything else.

I went to the car wash, Handy J's on Ventura Blvd. Right next to my friend David's favorite pastrami sandwich place, "The Dip." My car was finished and I was just about ready to leave when BAM! A brand new Audie hit the fire hydrant on the corner, shearing it off and sending who knows how much water into the sky. Immediately, my photog mind set lights up and I'm thinking, I'm thinking of how I'm going to shoot this damn thing when I realize I have no media cards in my camera, or anywhere else... they were at home on the dresser, because remember, I was having fun with my Holga today.

When news becomes Art, is when shooting the news is no longer technical, but beautiful, because that's all your going to get.. I shot a total of five pictures of this accident, each one has it's own beauty, and each one is different. If I would have had my flash card, I would have put down the Holga and taken about 200 or so images. Images of the fireman, the crowd, the gushing fire hydrant, the car wash, the poor girl and her car, and The Dip, getting it's very own wash today too, everything. But I was forced to work with what I had. I'm happy I did. But next time I'll have my equipment in proper order. Wash I lucky? Maybe, Maybe not.... but these are very pleasing.

Friendly Smile... Great Hot Dogs!

Testing out a new format, and new media is always a challenge. It takes time and patience. While visiting my bank, I decided to ask the friendly neighborhood Hot Dog Stand salesman to pose for a picture. I explained that I was a professional, and told him this was for my personal collection. I have found that most people don't mind helping out as long as your honest with them and offer to give a print as well! Avo's print was a "one of a kind," that I left with him, it had a little better exposure.
We talked as I waited for the polaroids to develop. I learned that he's an artist, an oil painter, and he has been working at his current location for 4 years. I took a total of 4 pictures with my new Holga, the first one was without flash.. a big mistake since the sun was behind us. The next three I used my flash and they turned out ok, but with no viewfinder, no way to frame the picture with the flash on the camera, it's a challenge.

Holga Fever

Sunset on Sunset Blvd., in the East part of Hollywood, I raced to figure what the heck I was doing, knowing that a beautiful sunset would be gone and I would have to wait one more day to begin the "Holga," experience. This was my second photo, and I just fell in love with the soft uncontrolled focus and the rich colors that come into view in just about 90 sec. after the shutter has been pressed. It's a lot of fun!