Faces of Los Angeles

Today it’s gonna be a little different. No fashion, no glamour, no pretty girls with skimpy outfits. Today I want to show you some portraits I did few months ago on my ventures in downtown LA.

These portraits were taken on Skid Row – a place most city-dwellers avoid.
It’s in the heart of downtown LA, where Hollywood show-biz glitz and glamour ends, and homelessness, drugs and despair begins.

Please meet – Downtown People:

All photos taken with Nikon D300 with help of Nikon SB800 flash.

MJ.

4 comments

Carlos Callegari June 22, 2010 at 4:06 PM

He bro… these look great.. amazing capture and processing! Love the website! Congrats!

Jim Diaz August 11, 2010 at 2:52 PM

Great captures! Did you shoot b&w through the camera or convert? Can you describe your interaction with your subjects?
Thanks

Mariusz J. August 11, 2010 at 3:52 PM

Hi Jim,
First of all – I wasn’t there alone, it was me and buddy of mine.
As for interaction – it wasn’t easy at the beginning, but basically we walk up to those guys and talked to them a little, and then asked if we could take their picture.
It was hit and miss – some people didn’t mind, but some did, and we respected them.
They were pretty friendly – usually nobody talks to them and people are turning their eyes away, so they were quite open when we approached them and asked how they’re doing.
They wanted to share their story, I guess.

btw.I shot these in color, and converted later to B&W in PS.

Regrads

Vinh September 1, 2010 at 12:12 PM

Hi Mariusz,

I love you work. I got the chance to speak with you at Chanel’s party.

Keep it up!

4 comments

Comment by Carlos Callegari

Comment by Jim Diaz

Comment by Mariusz J.

Comment by Vinh

Leave a reply Cancel reply