photojournalism

SideWalk Ghosts / Interview 5: It’s More Than The News Coverage

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I ask, “Where are you from?”  He says, “Wherever I’m passing by.”

Today I had the opportunity to photograph the news anchors of Univision 34, Los Angeles. A great group of people to work with and a ton of fun to shoot. Can’t post the photos right now, but soon you will see them all over LA and on the web.

We started the shoot very early in the morning and finished in the evening. A very full day. No gripes; I love to be busy – plus I had a 365 plan for the day. A perfect plan in my mind; simple, straight forward and easy breezy – just grab someone at lunch break.

But as life always does, the curve ball came… unfinished business locked me to the mobile phone. Still no problem; shift to fallback plan – find a willing person in the hallway at the end of the shoot. Strike two: wrapped the shoot and the halls are quite.

Adding a touch of stress, it’s 8pm, I’m now in the parking structure, sitting in the driver’s seat, car running, and ready to reverse out of the space. Memories of the evening before fall upon me as I struggle to shift my car to reverse in prepping to exit an echoing garage. For whatever reason the gear shift decides to give me grief. My wife and I have a saying, “If it’s not broken, it must not belong to us.” Two nights in a row of car issues… @!*%#^$#!!!!!

With time burning, I reach for the owner’s manual and prepare for a fight. Here’s the blow-by-blow. “Honda throws a stinging low blow,” burying the table of contents in a strangely designed booklet. But no chump to adversity, Radstone quickly regains his composure and side steps to the glossary. Honda counters with an overly simplified list of topics and complex listings of unrelated page references. “Oh no! Looks like Radstone is going down early,” knees weak, body trembling, he’s sagging for the mat and reaching for his AAA card. The shame of it all, AAA two nights in a row… for the same car… what a looser. “But wait, a glimmer of hope,” Radstone’s stomach growls, desperately in need of transportation to the nearest dining establishment. And amidst to on-setting attack of abdominal warnings, a vague spark of hope comes into focus, snapping into view through a sugar crashing blurriness. I strain my eyes, concentrating one more time on an overly cluttered glossary, “and yes, I ready to throw the fight winning blow,” gear shift release button – page 64. Radstone jabs, “insert ignition key into hidden slot,” shifter moves to neutral, Honda drops to the canvas, “1, 2, 3, bla, bla, bla, 10. Out!!!!! The winner by Knock Out!  Radstone! Holy hell, got to love those secret panels.

Event behind me, and still needing to find a person to shoot, I accept the fate that is in store for me. Load my gear, and on the drive home, find a point of interest to stop in searching for a person to photograph. Gear loaded, it is time to exit the parking structure and start my quest.

As I exit, a lone stranger appears, Hector – one of Univision’s news photographers returning from the day’s assignments. I approach him and it’s all thumbs up.

On the list of All Things Happen for a Reason, the car delay ends up working for a purpose. An earlier exit would have made me miss meeting Hector, who taught me a thing or two of what news shooters go through.

A few worthy notes on Hector’s commitment to his craft:
• His news van is really his office.
• Everyday he commutes to, and from, Los Angeles and San Bernardino in bringing the news to us. Not a short drive.
• He has been nominated for an Emmy.
• Has one documentary under his belt that was selected to be featured at the San Diego Latino Film Festival.

But here is what is really impressive:
From 1999 to 2005 Hector’s assignment was to cover events happening on the Mexico / California border. He tells me of things that I choose not to write. With respect and a smile he shares these stories with a degree of humility. With all my years of portrait and advertising photography, I have never found myself in the depth of situations Hector shares with me. In only a few minutes he opens my eyes to the courage of media photographers. Here is a really cool young guy, just getting married, who has looked tragedy right in the face and can share it with the balance of a seasoned spiritualist.

All I can say is, “Thanks Hector, and keep up the meaningful work!”

Until Tomorrow,

RR

SideWalk Ghosts / Interview 4: Fish Out Of Water Saved By Francis the Key Guy

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Take one middle class Caucasian man, dressed like a college golfer; put him in a very diverse Spanish-speaking park; place a camera around his neck and paperwork in his hand. Then have him loiter around the teen center – at night mind you. Sound suspicious? Perhaps?

I was not really thinking too soundly on this one. The saving grace was my wife and daughter by my side. Gave me a bit of credibility. All except for the golf club my sweet little child kept swinging in the air (really she was just practicing her drive – golf industry look out!).

We spent a good hour approaching people. All very gracious, but none taking the offer to be photographed. I begin to notice a consistent through-line, a common tendency for people to slowly gain distance. Subtle things, like a tree between us, or a wall, and one of my favorites, a car. Bottom line, no one wants to come near me. In retrospect, I did look a little creepy.

“Wait!, the story gets better. It’s 8pm now, kids are slowly leaving the park, beginning to release the area for the rougher evening crowd. Lights are shutting down soon. And with my tail between my legs, and a commitment to return at a later date, dressed a bit more appropriately, I make the call to move my family to the solace of our car. We approach our assigned doors and look at each other no differently than usual. You know, that you have the keys look?!?

You got it! Keys safely secured, locked dangling behind the steering wheel, doors locked, safe and sound in the vehicle. We are just that kind of family… always planning ahead. And truly, I can see no better stop-gap to auto theft than to lock the keys, and of course my wallet, securely in the car.

Now here we are, no photos, no wallet (no better place than in the glove compartment) and 10K of camera equipment in my handy backpack. By the way, even the locals keep their eyes peeled around these parts, and being the only guy in the whole park wearing a bright blue beach shirt, I’m really starting to feel rather like a target, not at all like a park patron. As I’m standing in bewilderment at the fact my family and I are stranded out of our bright red Accord, Gary Larson’s Far Side comic series strangely comes into my mind; specifically the one of the two deers talking, one with a target on his chest. His buddy saying to him, “bummer of a birth mark Hal.” And that’s right, I’m Hal!?!

But no need to fear, my daughter steps up and boldly states, “Don’t worry Dad, I’ve got a golf club.” Wife does what wives do — brings the common sense back into play, grabs the cell phone and thirty minutes later Francis arrives, the Diamond Security man of the hour. He steps to the rescue, car door picking tools in hand and cell phone on shoulder. Literally 2 minutes and the door is open. He turns, and peels out a clip board. I numbly sign and begin to watch him fade away towards the driver’s side of his truck. My gut tells me he is my photo opportunity and I can not let him get away.

With the glooming possibility of failing to get a photo on day four of a one year challenge, and the clock rapidly ticking away, I rush this savior of a moment in a sprint of determination. He terminates his phone conversation and looks at me with a straight face of inquisition. I tell him what I’m up to, he thinks for a pause, much like the rest of those I’ve approached this evening. In this moment of quiet my mind starts to boot up in preparation for another failed attempt. Thinking of next possibilities, I visualize myself elsewhere. Maybe the pharmacy up the street, a polka club, Pizza Hut, or throwing myself into on-coming traffic and just photographing whatever happens. That way at least I’d have a good injury story to support the fact that I tanked out on day four.

It’s funny how many crazy thoughts can zip through the mind in a nanosecond, and right at the moment my mind was taking me to strange places. I force myself to shut the nutty thinking down and look back at my new friend Francis, who with an approving nod of acceptance redeems my efforts. I’m telling you, I owe this guy big time.

So, if you ever find yourself in Canoga Park, night falling and keys in the car, pick up the phone, call AAA and ask for Francis at Diamond Security. And remember, tip him well!

11:16pm now, made my deadline. Tomorrow is a new day!

SideWalk Ghosts / Interview 3: Wrap Bracelets by Alishia

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Alishia, 21 – Bracelet Designer

So here I am, casing the neighborhood and feeling strangely like Ozzie going to borrow a cup of sugar for Harriet. No not Ozzy Osborn, but Ozzie Nelson.

What?!, Who?! Ozzie Nelson??!

If you don’t know the sitcom, Ozzie and Harriet were the ideal TV family and ran on ABC from October 3, 1952 to September 3, 1966. For the fun of it I’ve given you the Wikipedia link. And if you’re bored, curious or just plain nostalgic, here is a link to YouTube episodes.

Back to the story, walking the streets, strolling house by house, ignoring the graffiti and feeling mighty full of 50’s style neighborly love.

I round a corner and popping out of a sweet picket fence house exits the energy and laughter of Alishia along with her mother Valerie. I site them right as they begin a game of front yard badminton.

I muster my courage and somewhat fearing the possible blows of long-handled racquets, a fear brought on by my remembrance of the thrashing I received just yesterday from a not so friendly person, I gingerly approached them in allowing me to take their picture.

We chat for a short time and realizing that we share a similar point-of-view of the 365 project, Alishia accepts the offer to be photographed. She has a wonderful, vibrant spirit. A natural in front of the camera, and a joy to photograph. We shot a bunch of photos. These three really capture her personality. Go El Camino High!

HERE ARE FEW OF OF ALISHIA’S INSIGHTS:

• Observe and Share Everything •

• Practice Humility in Every Situation •

• Value Community •

Lot’s of wisdom from a young woman! Wouldn’t you agree.

I know I’m only three days in, but one constant is already beginning to emerge:  “I’m amazed at the depth people are sharing with me.”

This thing is only beginning. Bear with me as I figure it out. I’ll continue to push in finding new places, different people, cultures and in approaching everyone in a very organic way.

Day three and all is well!

Thanks Alishia for your contribution.

HEY ALL: Here is a shameless plug.
Alishia is just starting her business, even in the early processes of getting her business license. Let’s help her get going! If you are interested in purchasing her jewelry, please leave a comment of interest. I’ll forward it to her.

Talk Tomorrow!

RR

Sidewalk Ghosts / Interview 3: Photoless Entry

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Three days in and starting to see the relevance in what I am doing. Took a brief stroll around my neighborhood; thought I knew my community, but really I’ve only been seeing the surface of it.

I’ve been humbled this evening. I approached a husband and wife that are living out of a truck and a motor home. A seemingly intelligent couple, who by the look of things were dealt a rough deck of recession cards. They graciously declined to be photographed, yet expressed their interest in following the blog.

I cannot go further without acknowledging them and the other many deserving families who have been so unfairly displaced in this difficult economy.

I salute their strength and character.