Tag Archives: Koreatown

Few will care

Posted on
1

Few will care

While walking across the street from the Wiltern to the Wilshire/Western subway, this man walked between the cars asking for money. The print is pretty much how I envisioned it.

Unfortunately, I’m still trying to get more detail between the man’s head and the trees in the distance. This is probably my 8th print attempt. I’m scared that no amount of dodging will bring it out.

I would scan the negative, but I don’t have a film scanner. I’m not sure if I should save money towards buying a Canon CanoScan 8800F.

Like before, I tried to get this scanned print as close to the real thing as possible. I cropped out the white borders since they weren’t clean.

Contrast filter: #2
Aperture: f/5.6
Time: 17 seconds

Film: Arista.EDU Ultra B&W 100 35mm
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XS
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Paper: Arista.EDU Ultra VC RC Glossy 8×10
Scanner: HP ScanJet 7400C @ 300 DPI

A skeptic

Posted on
Reply

I’m taking $1 portraits as long as money permits. (See Thomas Hawk with his $2 portrait project and Justin Korn with his $1 portrait project.)

What’s the premise? I’ll offer $1 to anyone who asks me for money in exchange for their portrait. I’m a shy person, but I’ll do my best to find out a little about the person. You never know if it’ll make someone’s day for at least talking to them a little bit.

While I was on the escalator at Wilshire/Normandie, this man asked me if I had a dollar.

“What do you need it for?”

“I’m need to get a ticket for the bus, man.”

I awkwardly told him about my $1 portrait project. At first, he hesitated. I reassured him that it was only a photography project, allowing me to interact with people.

I noticed his eyes were slightly yellow. Jaundice? Sad.

At the top of the escalator, he finally agreed. He walked to a spot away from foot traffic, then I snapped his portrait.

“Where you off to now?”

“I gotta get some food, man. I’m hungry,” walking in the direction of the bus stop.

“Alright, take care.”

I never did get his name.

View on Flickr / Buy this print / View more $1 portraits here or at Flickr

Photos of a No on Prop 8 peaceful protest

Posted on
1

Prop 8 peaceful protest (305/366)
View on Flickr

Public Counsel[1. Yes, I work there. We oppose Prop 8.] and API Equality (LA) were having a peaceful protest on Wilshire and Normandie in Los Angeles in the late afternoon of Halloween.

After I finished at work, I lingered with the demonstrators to take some photos before going to the subway.

The majority of my coworkers had already left since they were out there for an hour. But, lots of people from API Equality LA were still there. So, I started snapping.

Prop 8 peaceful protest
View on Flickr

I wanted to capture the enthusiasm and energy of these protesters. I think I did pretty well.

People passing by made a few glances but didn’t exchange any words. There were several security guards on bicycles, watching and making sure nothing got nasty. Lots of cars, vans and trucks honked as they drove by.

One of the people in charge gathered everyone around so I could take a group photo. I didn’t get a chance to identify myself until he thanked me for taking photos. I gave him my business card, took a few more photos, then headed home.

Prop 8 peaceful protest
View on Flickr

Trying to abide by one of the rules of photojournalism[2. Or something like that.], I didn’t modify any of these photos[3. Except for slight cropping.].

*** You may view the photos at this Flickr photoset. API Equality LA also loved the photos, so I allowed them to display the photos on their website.