Chris Athanasiadis

Sticking It Out In LA

I’ve been thinking about moving because the drug and crime problems here are out of control. But I have faith we are close to the tipping point and things will eventually turn around. To be able to photograph this place through it’s transition is a blessing.

Street Photography Stealthiness

I walked around yesterday in DTLA with a street photography friend. He was carrying his Leica. He was confronted quickly after we started shooting and I saw many people staring at him throughout the day. This is why the tiny camera is king. I used to get confronted so much. Now, I never do. I’ve been confronted once in the last maybe 9 months. And it was my fault because I was way too obvious.

Street Photography Discretion In LA

I think this is the first consideration when shooting in Los Angeles. Once you leave the more chill beach towns, LA becomes very gritty. Best to blend in. Once you walk around with a camera around your neck, you completely stick out and people become aware.

Nikon ZF

If I were to get another camera, it would be this. The new Deep Tone Monochrome profile looks killer. Problem is I’m too invested in shooting with a tiny camera. I’d have to shoot in a different way with a big camera like this so I’d never use it.

Ricoh GRiiix

This lens is crispy. Looks sharper than the GRiii. High contrast black and white JPEGs look better than anything from the Lecia mono cameras I’ve used. The images are so sharp and vivid.

Countries Without Drugs

Go to countries without decriminalization of drugs. I’ve traveled throughout Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala. They just don’t have the problems that we do because they haven’t normalized the use of drugs. Drugs ruin people and societies.

It’s The Drugs

Drugs are the main reason for homelessness. Just don’t do drugs. The only drugs I do are caffeine and very rarely alcohol. You should also cut out sugar. Under no circumstances should you start popping pain pills unless it’s your only option to manage your life. Consuming pain medication for recreational purposes could be the fastest way to living on the street. I say this because I’m surrounded by drug addicts in Los Angeles. It’s a sad dystopian like city where you have people hunched over on fentanyl in front of a 5 million dollar house.