santa ana, california - july 2014

Spent an afternoon in the downtown area of Santa Ana, California during my trip in July. I mainly went to get some photos of murals and to look for some unique reflection photos with my Leica M6 (for a project that I am working on). Many people talk about shooting with a Leica and how you are discreet while out on the street. I somewhat agree with that, but it also attracts attention when it is hanging around your neck. I walked past this gentleman and he made eye contact with me and pointed to my Leica. I stopped to talk and realized real quick that he didn't speak English and I am not that good at interpreting Spanish. The beautiful thing is that photography breaks down this barrier. Before I walked off, I pointed to the camera and to him and he nodded his head and smiled.  I snapped two photos and we both went along our way...

los angeles, ca - february 2013

During my visit to California for a polawalk, I got the chance to visit & tour Watts Towers. What a unique place it was!  I am always amazed at the passion & drive that some people have with no apparent means to accomplish the task. It reminded me of my visit to Salvation Mountain and meeting Leonard Knight.

Didn't get to meet Simon Rodia here, but the tour guides had some great stories of how the towers were created. And best of all, after the tour, I was able to talk a little with the tour guide and get a portrait with my Leica...

ontario, ca - may 2012

Most of my recent California trip photos were taken with my Polaroid SX-70 cameras.  Got some interesting instant photos along the way, but this one was taken with my Leica M8 and became a sort of back-up image.  I first approached this man about 2 blocks before I took the image below.  I took the first image with my SX-70 because I have started a collection of street portraits. Unfortunately, the SX-70 mis-fired and I got another image of the sky.  Basically the shutter gets stuck closed and when you point it up (because you are trying to figure out what went wrong) the shutter opens/closes.  After I realized what I had done, I caught up with the man and asked for one more with my Leica.  He thought it was funny and motioned for me to go ahead.  What a sport he was and it shows in the picture...

hollywood, ca - december 2011

Not a big fan of photographing in Hollywood now because of the "posed" photography all around, but this time I think I got a few neat images.  I took some others in West Hollywood that I will post later...