Your Contemporaries Are Presets

Ever get hoaxed into buying a preset pack? You see all the wonderful examples of the photos with each preset applied. Once you apply it to your photo, it’s looks like shit. You end up adjusting the sliders and spending a lot of time processing the photo anyways.

Use your contemporaries as presets. Find the ones that inspire you and build from them. Use them as a starting point.

I saw the video “New York City April Accidents” by Trevor Wisecup on my IG feed. It’s been a while since I was inspired from IG, so I decided to swing by and leave a comment on YouTube.

Five Frames at Santa Monica Beach

Me and my better half have been taking evening walks since the sun is setting later in the day. We took our stroll last night not expecting much. The forecast predicated overcast conditions. Oh well, good for the steps. When we got to the Pacific Palisades Park, we were all by ourselves. I guess nobody had faith in the sunset. We were surprised how nice the sky was. There’s was very little wind and we decided to cross the pedestrian bridge over the PCH and head down to the sand.

Leica Rangefinders Are The Most Fun

No they aren’t the most practical, or take the best images, or the smallest or lightest or blah blah blah. But they are the most fun and that’s what counts, right? Unless you’re doing photography for money. If it’s just a hobby, then why not choose the instrument that you have the most fun with. Why play the piano and get no girls when you can play the guitar and have them lined up for you.

For me it’s all about fiddling. I like using my hands. I grew up doing manual labor, working in trades and being active. I still look back on my early years in the workforce. I was probably 23 or so working as a maintenance guy in a 600 unit apartment complex. Trying to unclog a strangers toilet at 3am. It sucked at the time but looking back I was fulfilled. Using my hands to fix something feels damn good. Using a Leica is like using a snake to pull a tampon out of the toilet. It’s just fun man. Or maybe I’m a werido. Shooting on P mode is cool too, and I do that a lot using my GR. But there’s something about getting all the settings right and looking through that sweet rangefinder that’s a unique experience. I’ve heard this from others for years and thought it was cliche…but it’s not.

In my short photography life, I’ve owned an embarrassing amount of Leica rangefinders. Leica M3 DS, M4, M6TTL, M8, M240, M9-P, M10M. Yes, seven different ones. My favorite is the M3 all the way. The best feeling when you crank that double stroke. My next favorite and current camera is the M8. It’s closest to film. Not in the images, I think that’s gimmicky. But in the way you operate it. High ISO is garbage so I’ve challenged myself to shoot everything manual at 160 ISO. It’s fun man, that’s why people sell their blood for these things.

Where Are We Going?

The best and worst thing about doing street photography is running into life clues. Now you’d think a clue like this on a random sidewalk is just someone bored and into vandalism. But you’d be wrong. The amount of human shit smeared on sidewalks I’ve witnessed in Los Angeles is staggering. And yes, I have photos of people taking a dump on sidewalks that I’ll probably never share publicly.

Where is American society going? I say American because I’ve traveled quite a bit and never witnessed smeared human shit in other countries . My experience is of course my own and it’s possible this happens elsewhere…and I’m sure it does.

This photo was taken about 100 yards from Muscle Beach in Santa Monica which contains a bathroom with about 12 stalls. It’s quite sad someone had to write this on a sidewalk, but also so close to public restrooms.

Five Frames At Four Acres Movie Ranch

Me and my better half went out to the desert last weekend in search of the illusive sun and poppy flowers. We found only a few poppy flowers, a lot of sun and Four Acres Movie Ranch. Whenever we are on a road trip, I’ll open Google Maps and scroll around until I find something interesting. Landed on this place as it looked kinda cool.

I enjoy this type of photography as well as street photography. I’m not sure what the point is though, probably just practice I suppose. I don’t even know what this type of photography is called. Travel or landscape photography? I’m sure there’s a more specific term for it.

These photos were taken mid day in harsh light. I processed them using Silver Efex Pro. I think they look a bit like Ilford HP5 Plus. If I told you they were 35mm film, you might not think twice about it.

This Is Why You Should Do Street Photography

No, it’s not to make a killer photo or for exercise…or for likes or clout. Or to show all the strangers online how brave you are to take a photo of some person high on drugs.

You should do street photography because you’re alive and aware. You’re curious. The two photos in the post are mediocre, but they are what keeps me intrigued. Who cares about the photos, it’s better to see the world around us.

I saw this kid from the Santa Monica Pier collecting all sorts of sea trash and throwing it in a pile. Wearing khaki pants into the water didn’t matter, collecting the trash was most important. I have no idea why he was collecting trash, but I was intrigued so I headed down to the beach. I watched him for a good 15 minutes do this. He was in his element, so happy and productive. I felt good for the future. This kid is probably 14 or so. Not glued to a phone or playing video games. This kid was experiencing life and full of joy doing it.

Then my patience for the scene rewarded me. I hear a voice from behind and his sister comes into the scene, bringing him a pair of swim trunks. I think they were twins, they looked similar and the same age. What a nice gesture from his sister.

In the span of 15 minutes, I saw a happy intrigued kid interested in sea trash and a caring sister.

This is why you should do street photography.

Fishing Is Lame. Get Off The Crosswalk

Go hunting, it’s a lot more fun and good exercise.

We kinda look creepy leaning on lamp posts with our cameras ready for the next character to cross the street. I used to do this a lot. I’d stay on one corner for 30 minutes just waiting. Waiting for the special moment, that never happens.

I don’t think the photos below are horrible, but imagine looking through your archive and all your photos contain the crosswalk lines. All on the same few corners, people walking towards you.

All the photos in this post were taken on a hot summer day in Downtown Los Angeles, 2021 using Fujicolor C200 film.

These next two were taken a few minutes apart on different corners. I think these two photos stuck with me. Get off the corner, I look creepy. I’m trying to remember if I’ve been flipped off since. I don’t think so. But what a day. How rare is it to get the bird twice in one day like this.

If you think it’s rare to get the bird twice in one day, what about three? I did not tell this person to flip me off. I just had a look that day that told the masses I’m a creepy asshole.

There’s something lacking from the spontaneity of a street photo when you know the photographer has waited patiently for the right character and light in one spot. I prefer random moments. They take more time and luck, but you’re rewarded with a photo that is special and unique. Fishing photos can often be easily replicated. I do respect however, the photographers perseverance to fish. I know in the back of my head the photo was a bit staged.

We all find our way eventually, well hopefully. I could be way off on this subject. I do know if I was a fisher, I’d have 10k fewer steps each day and that is enough for me to banish it all together.

Koreatown on Ilford HP5 PLUS

Koreatown Los Angeles is the most densely populated neighborhood in LA. You’d think it would be flooded with people taking photos, but I very rarely saw anyone doing this. I lived there with my better half in early 2021. It was the height of Covid and I was pretty bad at taking photos. These are my favorites of the many rolls of film I shot back then. Most were taken in harsh lighting. They are grimy and grainy. I like the look, much more now than initially. I think as I mature as a photographer, the more I appreciate mood and content over perfection.