Tag: Los Angeles

Did I just see Lit and Everclear?

On Friday night, I finally saw Lit, Everclear, and Gin Blossoms in concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for the Summerland tour, and it was everything I expected it to be: awesome.

A few other cool things:

  • This was Amy’s first time attending a large “rock” concert, and she really enjoyed the bands.
  • It was my first time seeing these bands in concert. Nostalgic.

TRON: Legacy

On Tuesday night (12/14), I saw a screening of TRON: Legacy (3D) at Club Nokia in Los Angeles as part of Nokia’s promotion, N8 First Look.

The 3D wasn’t overwhelming, but subtle additions enhanced the experience. If you can’t clearly remember the original version, you’ll be okay. (I’m talking about myself. I didn’t get a chance to re-watch the original TRON.)

While the plot line could have been improved, I loved the film. I recommend it.

Thanks to Donna from WOMWorld/Nokia for the invite!

Few will care

Few will care

While walking across the street from the Wiltern to the Wilshire/Western subway, this man walked between the cars asking for money. The print is pretty much how I envisioned it.

Unfortunately, I’m still trying to get more detail between the man’s head and the trees in the distance. This is probably my 8th print attempt. I’m scared that no amount of dodging will bring it out.

I would scan the negative, but I don’t have a film scanner. I’m not sure if I should save money towards buying a Canon CanoScan 8800F.

Like before, I tried to get this scanned print as close to the real thing as possible. I cropped out the white borders since they weren’t clean.

Contrast filter: #2
Aperture: f/5.6
Time: 17 seconds

Film: Arista.EDU Ultra B&W 100 35mm
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XS
Lens: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Paper: Arista.EDU Ultra VC RC Glossy 8×10
Scanner: HP ScanJet 7400C @ 300 DPI

The Ready Set and Andrew Swanson

A couple weeks ago, I met Andrew Swanson[1. Andrew Swanson also on Twitter (@swansonswanson) and Flickr.] running merchandise for The Ready Set. It was good times.

They first played at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood. After some trouble waiting for the box office to receive the list that would have my name on it, all was well.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a photo pit at the Knitting Factory. I didn’t mind too much because I hung out with Andrew at the merch table! 🙂

So, what did I learn about Andrew?

Becoming the merch guy for The Ready Set (on this tour) — Andrew was introduced to Jordan Witzigreuter (The Ready Set) by his photography. After taking photos at some of their shows, they became friends.

Travel — Until now, Andrew hasn’t been away from home for this long.[2. I was fortunate to have been able to travel a lot in junior high and high school, so you can imagine the excitement.] His blog and Twitter account tell his adventures.

The downside? You’re away from home. No home-cooked meals, your own bed, or family.

Andrew’s photography — He used to photograph with a Canon EOS 40D. He had the 50mm f/1.8 and the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lenses. But, he was depressed with the lack of fast lenses, so he sold it and bought a Canon G10.

After The Ready Set finished their set, most of them hung out at the merch table to meet fans, sign autographs and take photos. All of them were really cool and laid back.

When I talked to Matt, their tour manager, I found out that I could make their set the next day. So, he got me on the list again! Very cool, especially since I wanted to get some decent photos for them.

I fared better at the House of Blues in Anaheim. After signing some contract for the HoB[3. More on that in a future post.], I got in right away.

I talked to a few other photographers in the pit, including Mike McDougal (@mikemcdougal on Twitter). They were all really nice, too. Of course, I got some pretty sweet concert photos, plus some fan photos afterward.

Photos are also on Flickr: Knitting Factory, Hollywood / House of Blues, Anaheim

Thanks to Andrew Swanson, his infamous dad, Jon Swanson, and The Ready Set!

Andrews International harasses me for holding my camera

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 at 6:35pm, I was waiting outside the box office of The Knitting Factory, when I was confronted by an Andrews International security guard.

“No taking pictures on private property,” he says. Unbelievable. I reasoned that:

  • I was only holding my camera, not taking any photos.
  • I hadn’t taken a single photo.
  • The bag I had slung over my shoulder was a Shootsac, which only hold lenses and small accessories.

Additionally, look at the surrounding area. Basically, the only people without a camera in hand are the people working out at LA Fitness and Knitting Factory staff. Don’t forget that most cell phones have built-in cameras.

He wouldn’t let up.

I called information (311) so I could talk to non-emergency police, but nobody was picking up at the Hollywood office. (I was on the phone for five minutes, waiting to talk to a person. Meanwhile, the security guard stood there and waited.)

I told him I needed to check something at the box office, where I was finally able to get my ticket[1. I was on the list with The Ready Set, but the box office didn’t have that list in their hands yet. I was waiting for about an hour.].

When I turned back, a lady (staff from the Knitting Factory) was talking to the guard. As my last stand before going inside, I asked him about the huge line of people[2. Mainly female fans under 21.] waiting to get in earlier. Many of them had little point and shoot cameras. Would he talk to each one of them?

Of course he would. The owners of the property say no photography. (Never mind that the staff and security working at the Knitting Factory didn’t care.)

We rolled our eyes. I thanked the lady, and she told me not to worry about it.

I didn’t get his badge number, but I believe his name is Dante.

Coincidentally, my friend, Discarted, got a harassed and assaulted a few days earlier a few steps from where I was. At the end of his post, he lists an email you can copy and send to Los Angeles Politicians and Andrews International. Please send them an email.

Photographers' Rights Weekend Rally

Yesterday, a handful of photographers[1. myself included] went to the Port of Los Angeles in Wilmington (Long Beach) for some night photography. Of course, knowing that it’s a high-security area, we’d get harassed. That’s why we brought video cameras to document any encounters. (My friend, David Sommars, recently got harassed by LAPD. Unfortunately, we were across the street from where he was. So, we were in Long Beach jurisdiction. Oops!)

Along with some great photos, we got confronted three times: one bad, two good.

Today, the rally continues at Pershing Square at 11:30 am.

More details about this weekend’s rally at Discarted.

Sorry for the late notice. While I posted my interest and attendence to both days, I forgot to post here. Terrible.