NO ANGELS: Alleyways of Los Angeles
Artist Statement
Objectives
Alleyways are ubiquitous to the civic terrain of Los Angeles. Ever present yet hidden from plain sight, their utility serves many purposes in the city: an egress, a shortcut, a back entrance to a store, a parking spot, the place for refuse, shelters to the houseless. They are the arteries that parallel some of the most glamorous commercial corridors in Los Angeles. I propose an exclusively low-light photographic chronicle of the alleys both in and around the Beverly Grove neighborhood, and along the commercial corridor of Melrose Boulevard. Global brands dot the miles-long commercial strip with their neon light and fantastic showrooms. It’s the quiet mystery of the alleys that interests me though. Stylistically influenced by Harry Gruyaert, Robert Adams, Ray Metzger, Todd Hido, and the cinematography/photography of Robby Müller. I try to achieve a balance of light, color and texture to reveal what I think of as a kind of Hollywood-noir-beauty found within the banality of an alley. This is a study of contrasts: neon and shadows, wealth and poverty, the insiders and the outsiders, where the vibrant colors meet the neutral asphalts. NO ANGELS – Alleyways will juxtapose the glamor of Hollywood (aka ‘tinsel town’, or the ‘City of Angels’) against its dark underbelly wherein the shadows and detritus of urban life dominate.
Why the GFX system would be the ideal camera for this project?
NO ANGELS — Alleyways is a project where themes of isolation, danger, and the unknown are most present. And in editing, the manipulation of the shadows and the blacks are critical to achieving this. I have been using both a 35mm f/1.8 and a 50mm f/1.4 lens with a Nikon Z6. Upgrading to the sensor size of the GFX will allow me to work with a superior level of control to create dynamic, high resolution images with detail-rich shadows. Making images on the medium format sensor of the GFX system will allow me to bring out the most color, light (or lack thereof), and depth to will suit my stylistic intent.
Design
With the majority of the grant money, l will create and self-publish a book using one of the DIY book-making sites like Blurb with the goal of selling it on my website. To promote the project, I’d leverage my Instagram accounts and start a paid advertising campaign to generate sales. I intend to give away 10% of all profits to charities supporting the local community featured in the photographs such as Shelter Partnership, Inc. “Shelter Partnership, Inc. is a nonprofit organization collaboratively solving homelessness in Los Angeles County through policy analysis, program design, resource development, and advocacy in support of agencies and local governments that serve the homeless.”
Timeline
Images will be shot and edited by June of 2022, with the intent to deliver the project in completion by the August 30, 2022 deadline. I will make 50 pictures for the final project. (50 is just a figure to start with and to plan my budget around in regards to my time editing the photos).
As a fairly new photographer who’s developing my style and skills, having the support of a Fujifilm partnership would have several benefits. First is the access to the Fujifilm community of professional photographers. I would love to apprentice under and/or receive regular feedback or input from an X-Photographer like Valérie Jardin, Bryan Minear, Bill Fortney, Kara Mercer, Justin Black, Karen Hutton, or Ibarionex Perello. In order to create the highest quality images, I would take advantage of any technical guidance to expedite my working knowledge of the cameras, and insight about the best available lenses
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