Cities hold a timeline of their existence in their architecture.
This is why I enjoy walking and photographing cities around the world. Recently, my daughter moved to downtown Los Angeles, a city unknown to me. I grabbed my camera to discover the story of Los Angeles through its architecture.
The prevalence of Jazz Age buildings in downtown LA reveals a time of prosperity and luxury during the 1920s and '30s. During this time, much of the downtown was born. I was intrigued by the buildings that were once the glory of Los Angeles and now neglected, while a new Los Angeles grows up around them.
I chose to photograph in black and white to highlight the impact of neglect and time. I wanted to emphasize the building's patina of age in a contemporary Los Angeles; I feel black and white achieves the effect without the distraction of color.
The juxtaposition of the older city with elements of contemporary Los Angeles creates a visual tension and dramatically presents the complexity of the city.
Terrazzo
Edison
Broadway
In the Alley
The Eastern
Deco
Escape
The Orpheum
Girls, Girls, Girls
Entrenched
LA Library
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