Days of Roaming L.A.

Los Angeles, Calif., 2006

Introduction

It started during my lunch breaks.  I was working in Downtown Los Angeles at a job I could barely tolerate.  As soon as it was time for my break, I’d head out the door and spend my hour photographing.  It was around this time that I was immersing myself in the tradition of street photography.  I found it not only inspiring but a good way to build up my confidence as a photographer.  On the street, you’re forced to observe everything around you and react without hesitation.

There was a certain adrenaline rush heading out the door during lunch and walking the streets of Downtown where I’d encounter nine to fivers, psychotic homeless, drifters, a vibrant hispanic crowd on Broadway, the fashionistas, and all the other crazies that converged Downtown during the day.

During the weekends I’d pick a neighborhood and walk until the soles of my feet were on fire.  And afterward I’d pick up some beer and review my afternoon.  Editing at that time was more random than calculated.  And to be honest, I really had no idea what I was trying to accomplish.  It just felt good to out there, hunting and developing a routine.  I felt a deeper connection with the city as the months progressed.  I started to understand the neighborhoods, buses and most importantly for me, the intoxicating Los Angeles light.

The more immersed I became in photography the more I wanted to experiment, so I eventually traded in the DSLR for a rangefinder and film.  And as I progressed and explored, shooting street scenes became less and less interesting.  My methods and ideas about photography were changing.  But I’ll never forgot those months of roaming the city and observing the flow of street life.

I’ve collected what I feel are the strongest photographs from that period and edited them together in a way I hope reflects my days of wandering from Downtown to the beach.