Birdman Relic

Birdman Relic photographed November 26th, 2013

West side of N. Madison Ave., just north of Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., CA

I was intrigued by the sign taped to this relic & when I noticed others like it on a cart across the street & near a tarp covered mound on the sidewalk, plus a man walking from one to the other lifting concrete blocks as arm weights(!), I just had to stop & ask him if he had made them…?  Yes, he had, and from there I learned some snippets of the intriguing story of ‘Birdman’ Rik Martino & his pigeons.  He’s an actor & bird lover & was kind enough to not only let me take some photos of him (after a quick glance at his appearance in the window of the church across the street ; )), but also gave me some copies of his 80s comp cards.  I wish Rik all the best in his fight against the city of L.A. and the animal shelter that killed his beloved pigeons.

I’m loving these shots of Rik, also known as Franco Massimo —>>>

Here’s a link to a video made by Pirromount about Rik & his love of our feathered friends —>>>

And here’s a link to an L.A. Times article about the ‘Birdman of Silverlake’ —>>>

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-birdman-pictures-1,0,4362383.photo#axzz2lnTQOMTY

‘Do You Need To Use The Phone?’

  

‘Do You Need To Use The Phone’ Relic photographed Thursday, November 21st, 2013

East side of N. Heliotrope Dr., just south of Santa Monica Blvd., L.A., CA

With my eye on the viewfinder shooting this phone & graf art I heard a voice approaching from my left.  A hipster in spandex on his cell.  When he got to me he paused, motioned to the jacked up relic and asked ‘Do you need to use the phone?’  Cool factor —>>> check ; )))

AMERICAN BEAUTY Relic

  

AMERICAN BEAUTY HATE FREE Relic photographed November 19th, 2013

North side of W. 23rd St. just east of S. Vermont Ave., L.A., CA

In the wide shot above you can see a young man in the shadows.  I think he was surprised that his lewd gestures didn’t keep me from completing my photographic mission.  While shooting I took on the lesson of the graf art—–>>> Don’t Hate —–>>>  In the end we parted amicably with a wave.  I wonder what will become of him…?

Nugs

 

Nugs Relics photographed November 19th, 2013

Northeast corner of W. Olympic Blvd. & S. Harvard Blvd., L.A., CA

Halloween Double Exposed 2013

 

This Halloween I ventured down the boulevard to the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval & shot the first round of this double exposed 35mm roll of film.  Two days later I braved the Spider Pavilion at The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles to shoot the second round.  Once again, I used my trusty, dusty Pentax K1000 35mm camera, this time using Kodak Portra 400 speed film shot at 800.  It was a great learning experience & I’m loving these shots!!!

Eye On You Relic

Eye On You Relic photographed October 29th, 2013

East side of S. Hobart Blvd., just south of Venice Blvd., L.A., CA

Dreams vs. Reality

Dreams vs. Reality Relic photographed October 29th, 2013

East side of 3rd Ave., just north of Venice Blvd., L.A., CA