building interior

There are many industrial buildings in downtown LA which are being converted into an array of contemporary uses. This one, which had been a factory of some sort, was renovated and a community workspace was created in it’s interior. An interesting assembly of mostly young, tech-savvy part time occupants, hold court. Glued to their laptops, phones and tablets, as I left my meeting scarcely anyone looked up. I had come up the elevator of the parking lot and decided to take this stairway back to the ground floor. I stopped, fascinated by the gritty textures and the remaining light fixtures from the time when different activities filled the space. I noticed the contrasting modern stainless steel and glass door at the bottom, and began to shoot. Suddenly, a figure appeared and stepped through the opening. I was able to capture only this frame before they disappeared from sight. I find it interesting that we don’t know much about this person. It appears to be a woman, judging by the apparel, including the purse over her shoulder. Who was she and what was she doing there? This moment will never occur again exactly as it did here. Photography gives us that sometimes.

  Once again I have been given a zinger to respond to. At first the bicycle was my hook But then found I was really attracted to the words in the background of the photo. I remembered I had just made a new addition to my series of surf shops. This one is in Ventura CA, and is small, and perfect to fit my idea of those old classic surf shops that are becoming a thing of the past. Hold on surf shops, I’m coming to document your existence. You are part of my youth, and I for one want to remember.    

I have been looking at the A Frame Surf Shop for years now and have wanted to make a photograph of it for that same amount of time. I made a decision the other day that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. In this case it was to make this image of this surf shop. I think surfing is completely cool. I was never very good at it but I did for the most part enjoy the sport. Since my neck surgery years back I am unable to surf any more. So, the next best thing is to combine two things I have passion about, surf and photography. I have already shot and completed my second in this series. It is of a different shop here in greater Santa Barbara. I would love to make photographs of a hundred or more surf shops. Looks like I will have to travel around the coasts to find them. David’s photo of the building was perfectly timed to play this image. I have been anxious to share it but have held it back hoping, expecting an opportunity would come along. Now it has. Enjoy.