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Hatakeyama Gallery Street Exhibit

Dana — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:40:09 +0000

Excited to announce that I will be showing some of my recent street work this coming February 9th at the Hatakeyama Gallery during the LA Art Walk.

The exhibit will also feature work from talented Los Angeles based street photographers Chris Camargo, Joel Sheiner, David Valera, Elizabeth Wang-Lee, Erin Xavier as well as photographs from international street photographer Eric Kim.

Click here for more information on the Downtown LA Art Walk

Short and Sweet

Dana — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 23:01:29 +0000

I normally plan block of like 4-5 hours to go out and shoot, then often wonder why I don’t get out to shoot as much as I would like. Either something comes up, I sleep in too late, I don’t have enough film, it’s too hot… the list goes on.

The point is that I am always sabotaging myself from going out to do what I love…shooting in the street!

So my contrary action this past month was to go out and shoot for a short two hour period before date night with my wife. So with a camera and two rolls of film in my pocket, I roamed the streets of downtown LA for two hours. To my amazement, it did the trick! And I was home in time to get ready for an evening out!

Oh, and my wife tells me that I am more present and attentive after I return from a day in the street…lol

“Personal” Work

Dana — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 01:11:54 +0000

Was watching a documentary on Annie Leibovitz recently about her life and her art. As part of the piece, it showed scenes of her and her editors putting together her latest book. It was interesting to see how her personal photographs of family and friends really set the tone for the entire book. It made me think about my own work, and how often I am quick to take out the camera when things are new and exciting but am often reluctant to point the camera back at the ones that I love. I think it’s time to go back to basics, shoot and experience the life that is happening all around me!

Get Up, Get Out

Dana — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 19:00:11 +0000

Do you ever obsess over the photos you missed, I imagine we all have.

An example of this occured just the other week. I was following two interesting subjects, one towing the other with a motorized wheelchair. I got a few decent shots, nothing great, just couldn’t keep up with them on foot, so I went about my day photographing in the city. About an hour goes by and low and behold the two are headed back in my direction, I check the settings, prefocus, compose the frame…waiting…waiting. The gentlemen in the motorized wheelchair who is pulling the other stops to throw away a banana peel in the trash dispensor, and as it begins to leave his fingertips mine engages the shutter…and nothing…no click…I ran of film.

I guess it’s time to put the 35mm camera on craiglist and stick to my digital tools…right?

That might have been a consideration a couple of years ago, but not anymore. Today my response is simple, just shoot more, more often. Your hear these words echoed over and over, but it’s so true.

The last two weeks are a prime example for me, I think I shot a total of only 4 rolls of film on the streets, some decent images but nothing spectacular. But the images don’t always speak to what I am learning about myself, my work, and the world around me. For example, while shooting with friend and photographer Ibarionex Perello, I got a crash course in what it’s like being harrassed by Security Guard’s in public spaces. (Read more here on Ibarionex’s blog)

So while I may not have a portfolio of 5 star images to show you from the last few weeks, I can share that I have been enjoying the experience of just roaming the streets with a camera around my neck.

Direction

Dana — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 08:55:14 +0000

My head is often pulling me in so many directions that I forget to move at all. As a solution, I’ve committed myself to capturing the streets of Los Angeles on film at least once a week. Not sure where this journey will take me, but at least it will get me in motion!

Downtown Los Angeles – January 2011

Faces of Skid Row

Dana — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:06:57 +0000

Was recently invited to show at CREWEST Art Gallery in downtown Los Angeles. The show titiled “Faces of Skid Row” opened on October 2nd and will be running trough the month. Check out the dates and press release below for more info! Also don’t forget to check out Fundraiser night and help make a contribution to the L.A. Mission… SEE YOU THERE!!

Artwalk Event: Thursday, October 14, 2010 6 – 9pm

Fundraiser Night: Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm.

The Mission

Dana — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 05:36:32 +0000

On a recent visit to the Bay Area, had a chance to shoot in the Mission District of San Francisco.

The Last Month

Dana — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:32:57 +0000

It’s been a few weeks since my last post, not for a lack shooting though. In fact, I’ve been shooting so much that I really can’t keep up on the computer end. Been shooting mostly film, strictly with a 35mm lens for my personal stuff.

Also been hard at work updating the blog, which is currently getting a little facelift in addition to some added portfolio gallery features.