Posts Tagged 'Los Angeles'

Next Entries »

Save Griffith Park – All of It

Published September 29, 2008 Photographers' Rights Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , ,

after the fire
Photo by discarted

If you live in Los Angeles, you know there is woefully little green space. But Griffith Park remains a last refuge, an oasis of trails, wildlife and woodland in the middle of one of the densest cities in the country.

Sadly, but inevitably, certain city officials and developers would like to be able to develop it. Parking structures, amusement parks and restaurants all seem reasonable propositions to them. (Because it’s not enough to have digitized advertisements in grocery store checkout lines and billboards and strip malls as far as the eye can see. We must not stop until every last patch of green is covered!)

In response, there is a movement to designate the park — in its entirety — as a historic cultural monument. That designation would prevent any commercial development within its borders. If you believe in this cause and are sick of city officials who prize maximum density (and the money it brings) above all else, then write to Councilman Tom LaBonge and the Cultural Heritage Commission and tell them so. The Commission’s next meeting to discuss the matter will be October 30 at City Hall.


Photo by discarted

Councilman LaBonge in particular is a troubling case. As a man who’s never met a camera he didn’t like, especially when it comes to touting his love and affection for the park, it’s downright scary that he told the LA Times, “This is a park, not a preserve,” and:

“I’m all for designation of buildings and spots of significance in the park, but right here?” LaBonge asked, circling his finger over the dirt trail path one Friday morning, “Would it be something to designate? I’m not sure.”

For more info:

Read the LA Times article about the issue.

Go to the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council page.

Andrews International Execs Remain Silent Over Guards’ Aggressive Behavior

Published June 24, 2008 Assault , Harassment , Photographers' Rights , Security Guard Harassment , Street photography 3 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Photo by discarted
NOTE: This guard did not have anything to do with the incident.

Dear Mr. Andrews:

I wanted to write again regarding an incident with your security personnel because it seems as if you didn’t receive my last letter. At the very minimum, this is a customer service issue, and it’s shocking that you wouldn’t want to address, much less acknowledge, a situation where your security team’s actions have been questioned.

I am referring to what happened between myself and your security guards at the Hollywood and Highland Metro station where I was harassed, threatened with arrest and cursed at for taking photographs. In case you are unaware, Andrews International security are notorious for overstepping the limits of their authority and harassing people in Hollywood. There are extremely few laws that restrict photography in public places, and they’re mostly relating to military installations or people with an expectation of privacy (i.e., in their homes). National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) attorneys have issued a memorandum on the subject that says in part:

+ There is no federal law that would prohibit photography in public places or restrict photography of public places and/or structures.

+ Any restrictions that the government does impose would need to have supporting evidence that it was essential for public safety. The burden is on the government;

Presumably you are thinking that the issue will just go away, but I’d like you to know that photographers will continue to shoot in public spaces in and around Hollywood since it is our legal right to do so. What’s more, now that we have a small movement going, this issue is on the radar, and it’s more than likely that your guards will unnecessarily and inappropriately detain photographers in the future. So my suggestion to you is to train your security force on the laws so that a situation doesn’t escalate unnecessarily.

Sincerely,
Shawn Nee

To contact Andrews International executives regarding this incident click here.

POTW: The Egyptian

Published June 23, 2008 Street photography Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , ,


Photo by discarted

I will happily admit that I am not any kind of expert when it comes to dissecting what makes a good image. I am completely self-taught in regards to photography and read very little about the subject, so I lack any type of historical knowledge or grasp on photographic theories. Either I innately like an image or I don’t.

To kick off the Picture of the Week (POTW) and to force myself to start thinking more critically about my images, and others as well, I chose this photo for a few reasons:

1. The composition is good — I think. The lines and the paint along the pavement lead you right to the man’s face. His face and body are in perfect focus while the background has a slight blur, forcing you to concentrate on him.

2. The exposure and focus are dead-on, with his face landing in the the center of the gradation scale from light to dark.

3. The man, who is Egyptian, is a captivating subject. His glance, along with the cigarette and his clothing and bracelet, just pull you in. Looking at the image for the first time, I feel as though we are crossing paths once again, establishing a brief connection between strangers. It also seems like he knows something that I don’t.

Comments and critiques are welcomed. Especially from the photo editors.

The Bruce Gilden Experiment in Color

Published June 21, 2008 Experiments , Street photography 2 Comments
Tags: , , , ,

Shawn Nee / discarted

In recent weeks Bruce Gilden, a New York City photographer and Magnum Photos full member since 2002, has been receiving some well deserved attention via the internet. A short film was recently produced by Benjamen Walker and Andrea Silenzi for WYNC’s Streetshots, emerging flickr groups have been inspired by him, and message boards have been buzzing with praise and disdain for his work and style.

As for myself, I had never heard of Bruce Gilden until a friend of mine sent me a link to Benjamen and Andrea’s short. And within seconds of clicking play and hearing the first syllable resonate from the back of Gilden’s throat — I was hooked. I didn’t even have to see a single photo. But once I finally did see a Gilden image, I knew I had to try imitate it. Thus, became the The Bruce Gilden Experiment; the first in a series of postings where I set out to produce work inspired by and similar to the photographers that I admire.

While conducting The Bruce Gilden Experiment, and along with fighting my innate tendencies to shoot in my usual way (which, nonetheless, is starting to bore me), I found it difficult, except for the above photo, to capture an image within a foot of a person’s face that I could truly appreciate, or want to call my own.

Maybe it was the 24mm L series lens I chose to use. Maybe it was the choice of using color film, something I very rarely do, or Gilden does. Or maybe it was my narcisistic belief that I could produce work on par with Gilden while trying to imitate a style that is completely uncharacteristic of my own. I don’t even own a flash, nor do I know how to use one. And I’ll probably never learn how to operate one because that is something I am simply not interested in learning…for now at least.

After about an hour of shooting around the Hollywod and Highland area and processing the rolls at Rite Aid (which develops film as good, or even better, than most of the professional labs in LA) and then scanning them at home, the majority of the images were either out of focus, or more importantly, lacked the astounding beauty associated with a Gilden image. Overall, I could say it was extremely disappointing to see such average work. Something I think we can all relate to — I hope.

Before deciding to conduct this experiment I set out with the intention of failing, which, I think I did. I’ll probably give it another shot and try a few things differently. But maybe…just maybe…one day Bruce Gilden, or somebody else will conduct The Discarted Experiment. I don’t know — is the quality of the work that good? Good enough to inspire somebody?

To see more photos captured during The Bruce Gilden Experiment click here.

To see my usual style go here.

To see the amazing work of Bruce Gilden go here.

To see a wonderful short of Bruce Gilden in action go here.

They Can Shoot Us, But We Can’t Shoot Them

Published June 13, 2008 Photographers' Rights 1 Comment
Tags: , , , ,


Photo by discarted

It only took 17 years, but the LAPD is finally getting dashboard cameras installed in patrol cars. The issue was first suggested in the early 90s, and in an article in New American Media, Councilman Ed Reyes blamed the delay on the fact that it was a “low priority” for the previous administration. The first wave of cameras will be for about 300 cars in the South Bureau, which sees the highest rates of crime and violence.

There will be two different dashboard cams (one facing front, one facing the backseat) and the officers will wear wireless microphones. Data will be automatically uploaded and sent to a computer at the local station.

“From a patrol officer’s point of view, it’s a good thing,” said Officer Danny Hernandez.

From a suspect’s point of view, it’s also a good thing.

Article from New American Media.

Pride and Prejudice

Published June 12, 2008 Protests Leave a Comment
Tags: ,

Pride vs Prejudice

Photo by Discarted.

Taken at the LA Pride parade in West Hollywood, June 8.

“No pictures. You could be a terrorist.”

Published June 6, 2008 Harassment , Photographers' Rights , Security Guard Harassment 3 Comments
Tags: , , , , , ,

KG

Keith Garsee was one of the photographers who joined us at the Photographers’ Rights Day rally in Hollywood on Sunday and also one of the inspirations for the event in the first place. He was harassed in the Los Angeles Metro, and we do mean harassed. It’s one thing to be told you can’t take photos, another to be threatened with arrest, and then quite another altogether to be told “F–k you” when you ask a simple question! Perhaps our tax dollars need to be going toward charm school for these security folks?

Here’s just an excerpt.

Him: Hey! It’s against the 9-11 Law to take pictures down here man!
Me: You mean the Patriot Act?
Him: No pictures.
Me: Could you explain? What law do you mean?
Him: You are lawyer?
Me: No.
Him: No pictures. You could be a terrorist. Very strict!
Me: How about I take a picture of you?
Him: F**k you… (I couldn’t believe it either)

Read the full account here.

Via Boing Boing.

Photo by discarted.

Photographers Stand Up for their Rights

Published June 4, 2008 Photographers' Rights , Protests 1 Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Naomi Mercer, host of the web series “Gadget Gossip,” passed up a beautiful day at the beach to document our first-ever Photographers’ Rights Day in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 1.  

Video by Naomi Mercer

Harassed, Threatened, and Berated by Andrews International’s Security Guards

Published June 3, 2008 Assault , Harassment , Photographers' Rights , Security Guard Harassment 81 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Andrews International Security Guard Vasquez #782 Assaults Photographer Photo by discarted

NOTE: This guard did not have anything to do with the incident described below.

I was recently harassed by Andrews International security for photographing them in public at the Hollywood/Highland Metro station. Street photography is completely legal, and anybody, including minors and police, can be photographed in public at any time.

Here is the letter that I sent to Roger Andrews, executive vice president of Andrews International. I have not received any kind of response — or even an acknowledgement from them.

The email was also sent to Councilmen Tom LaBonge and Eric Garcetti (whose districts Hollywood falls in), and neither one of them did anything. Councilman LaBonge did personally call me and promised to call back the following week, which he didn’t.

Mr. Andrews,

I am writing you in regard to an incident that occurred on May 3, 2008 between myself and some of your officers. I am a documentary as well as a street photographer, and yesterday I was berated, touched(technically assault) and threatened with arrest and detainment by some your officers, particularly security guard Ferguson #4730, after legally photographing them in public. Obviously, your officers have not been educated about the law in regards to street photography and the rights of photographers; this is the second occurrence like this that has happened between your officers and myself.

After photographing your officers, they were completely belligerent, stating that they 
were private security officers and I was required to answer their questions, which is not true. Ferguson #4730 also tried to take my photograph, which I agreed to, but he couldn’t find a camera so he followed me around and eventually stopped me, forcing me to look up at one of the security cameras. This entire series of events is laughable because it appeared in his mind that laws that allow the city to photograph me at any time in public do not apply to Ferguson #4730 and the rest of your officers. On top of that, after having my photo taken, Ferguson #4730 then asked me if I was in the military and I said, “No, I don’t believe in the military.” He then exploded and said, “I fucking built this land you’re standing on! Get outta here!”

After that, I walked around for a few minutes thinking about what happened and decided to go back to get the officers’ badge numbers. Once Ferguson #4730 realized what I was doing, he immediately covered up his badge with his hand and started yelling, “Oh no, you ain’t getting that!” To which I stated, “You are legally required by law to give me your badge number.” That is when Ferguson #4730 along with the other officers threatened me with arrest and tried to detain me. However, I am quite aware of the law, because I am on the street practically everyday taking photographs and told them they couldn’t detain me. Ferguson #4730 would not relent and used his entire body to block me from leaving; that is when he touched me, which is assault. One of the other officers stepped in and told him to stop and took him aside to speak with him. I did not leave, told them to call the police, and waited for BID Patrol to arrive. I was questioned but not arrested because I did not do anything illegal.

While the BID Patrol security guards gave me a very nice lecture on humanity, they didn’t seem to care about the way Ferguson #4730 and the other officers reacted in an unlawful, belligerent, and inhumane manner towards me.

I am requesting that all video footage of the area in front of the Hollywood/Highland Metro stop in Los Angeles, CA, between 6PM and 7:30PM on May 3, 2008 be retained for viewing, as well as kept for evidence. I will be speaking to a lawyer this week as well exploring my other options via the city and Los Angeles Metro.

Ferguson’s unlawful behavior, along with the other officers, and more importantly, their lack of knowledge for the law is unacceptable.

BID Patrol also asked me if I was an attorney, to which I said, “No, but I don’t have to be an attorney to know the law. Since you’re not an attorney either that must mean you don’t know the law as well…which is the reason why this all happened in the first place.”

Voice Your Concerns and Write:

Roger Andrews: roger.andrews@andrewsinternational.com

Antonio Villaraigosa: mayor@lacity.org

Tom LaBonge: councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

Eric Garcetti: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

Rich Morallo, Metro Citizens Advisory Council: (213) 922-233

Captain Dan Finkelstein, MTA chief of transit police: (213) 922-2707/922-2700

Rick Jager/Marc Littman, MTA media relations: (213) 922-2707/922-2700

A Good Start But a Long Way to Go

Published June 2, 2008 Protests 2 Comments
Tags: , , , , , ,

NPRD Photographers 

The first-ever Photographers Rights Rally yesterday was a success — and a good start in getting the word out about this issue. About 35 people (from as far-flung as San Diego, Fullerton and Costa Mesa) showed up over the course of the day and we had LA County sheriffs (very cordially, I might add) supervise us at Hollywood and Highland and escort us on the Metro to Union Station. We had free reign to shoot wherever and whatever we liked. However, as predicted, as soon as the rally ended, things went back to normal and two photographers were harassed, one on the platform at Union Station and threatened with arrest. A letter was sent to Capt. Dan Finkelstein, MTA’s chief of police, Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilmen LaBonge and Garcetti asking to clarify their policies; no response yet.

To check out the shots of the day, click here.

And stay tuned for a photo/audio montage to be posted here soon.

Thanks to all who came out, shot pictures and showed support.

Photo by amianda

Spam Blocked

1,139,139 spam blocked by Akismet